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The Fountainhead Essay Contest

The Fountainhead cover

For students in grades 11 and 12

Deadline: April 26, 2012

Cash Awards:

First Prize: US$10,000
5 Second Prizes: US$2,000
10 Third Prizes: US$1,000
45 Finalists: US$100
175 Semi-Finalists: US$50

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

  1. Explain the similarities and differences between the characters of Dominique Francon, Steven Mallory and Gail Wynand. How does each’s view of life and its possibilities differ from Howard Roark’s? How does this issue relate to the theme of the novel?

  2. Howard Roark discusses the motives, methods and functioning of both the altruist and the egoTist. Do the lives of Peter Keating, Ellsworth Toohey and Catherine Halsey illustrate his thesis about altruists? Does his own life illustrate his thesis about egoists? Explain your answer.

  3. In conversation with Nathaniel Janss, Howard Roark observes that reason is something that “no one really wants to have on his side.” Do the events of The Fountainhead show that Roark wants reason on his side while other characters do not? How does this issue relate to the theme of the novel?


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 11 or 12.
  • To avoid disqualification, mailed-in essays must include a stapled cover sheet with the following information:
    1. your name and address;
    2. your e-mail address (if available);
    3. the name and address of your school;
    4. topic selected (#1, 2 or 3 from list above);
    5. your current grade level; and
    6. (optional) the name of the teacher who assigned the essay, if you are completing it for classroom credit.
  • Essay must be between 800 and 1,600 words.
  • Essay must be submitted by April 26, 2012, by 11:59 PM, Pacific standard time.
  • 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.

To Enter

» Submit online

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:

The Fountainhead 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 high 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).

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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