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For students in grades 8, 9 and 10
Deadline: March 20, 2012
Cash Awards:
First Prize: US$2,000
5 Second Prizes: US$500
10 Third Prizes: US$200
45 Finalists: US$50
175 Semi-Finalists: US$30
Topics
Select ONE of the following three topics:
Why did Ayn Rand name her main characters “Prometheus” and “Gaea”? Compare the historical myths of Prometheus and Gaea to the lives of these two characters. What does Equality finally understand about his society when the Council threatens to destroy his invention? In the final chapter of Anthem, Prometheus writes that he now understands “why the best in me had been my sins and my transgressions; and why I had never felt guilt in my sins.” What has Prometheus come to understand about himself? Why does his society regard the “best in him” as sinful?
Judging
Essays will be judged on both style and content. Judges will look for writing
that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must
demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of Anthem.
Essay submissions are evaluated in a fair and unbiased four-round judging
process. Judges are individually selected by the Ayn Rand Institute Canada based on a
demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Ayn Rand’s works. To ensure the
anonymity of our participants, essay cover sheets are removed after the first
round. Winners’ names are unknown to judges until after essays have been ranked
and the contest results finalized. The Ayn Rand Institute Canada checks essays with
Ithenticate plagiarism detection software.
Rules
- No application is required. Contest is open to students worldwide.
- Entrant must be in grade 8, 9 or 10.
- Essay must be between 600 and 1,200 words.
- To avoid disqualification, mailed-in essays must include a stapled cover sheet with the following information:
- your name and address;
- your e-mail address (if available);
- the name and address of your school;
- topic selected (#1, 2 or 3 from list above);
- your current grade level; and
- (optional) the name of the teacher who assigned the essay, if you are completing it for classroom credit.
- Essay must be submitted by March 20, 2012, by 11:59 PM, PST.
- Essay must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarized essays will be disqualified.
- Entrants may submit only one essay. Decisions of the judges are final.
- Employees of the Ayn Rand Institute Canada, its board of directors and their immediate family members are not eligible for this contest. Past first-place winners are not eligible for this contest.
- All entries become the property of the Ayn Rand Institute Canada and will not be returned.
- Participants will be notified of the contest results by July 26, 2012.
- Winners will be solely responsible for any provincial, territorial or local taxes.
To Enter
You will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of your entry within 24 hours.
If it has been at least 24 hours, and you have not received e-mail
notification, please e-mail eduprograms@aynrandinstitute.ca. Please check your junk e-mail
for your notification. Please do not re-submit.
Students unable to submit their essays online may mail essays to:
Anthem Essay Contest
The Ayn Rand Institute Canada
6540 E. Hastings Street, Suite 812
Burnaby, BC V5B 4Z5
CANADA
For mailed-in essays only—You MUST include a stapled cover sheet with the following information: your name; mailing address; e-mail address; the name and address of your school; topic selected (#1, 2 or 3 from the list above); your current grade level; the name of the teacher who assigned the essay (if applicable).
Please do not submit duplicate essays!
If you wish to verify our receipt of your essay, please paperclip a stamped,
self-addressed postcard to the essay.
Comments or questions about the essay contests are welcome. Please write to
eduprograms@aynrandinstitute.ca.
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