Paul takes aim at ‘influencers’ through a prize-winning essay
A TRANSITION-YEAR student from Castlegregory-based Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh has impressed so much in a UL essay-writing competition that his work will be used as a template to teach students at the university in the new academic year.
Paul Egan finished runner-up in the National Secondary School Essay-writing Competition, which was open to transition-year and fifth-year students.
He was asked to take a look at online influencers and their financial relationships with the brands they advertise, links they often do not reveal despite marketing experts and governments deeming it necessary to do so. Paul was also asked to provide his personal view on how these links affect the influencers’ credibility; as well as whether or not he thinks a failure to disclose such links is unethical.
In his essay, Paul outlined how such influencers have often profited handsomely through their online platforms; and he argued that rules in place are nowhere near strong enough to protect consumers from the industries hijacking these influencers’ content.
“My piece will be used to teach students at UL how to write an argumentative essay,” he told Kerryman.
“When I got the e-mail from UL, I was overjoyed. I wouldn’t have the best of confidence, so this was a major boost for me.
“We did it as part of a class project, and my teacher Jonathan Lyne is amazing – he has taken us through all the ins and outs of our writing.
“When I submitted it, I thought I had a good enough chance – but then again, it’s a national competition, so it was hard to know.
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“I’d like to thank all the school staff for their incredible support, and I’d like anyone who reads this to know that, no matter what you do in life, anything is possible.”
Teacher Gemma Donovan described Paul, who is also an actor, as an unassuming but multi-talented student, and she was thrilled at his achievement.
“These are difficult times for everyone, so Paul’s achievement came as good news; it was very uplifting.”