For students in grades 10, 11 and 12

Entry Deadline: May 5, 2012

Cash Awards:

FIRST PRIZE: US$3,000
5 SECOND PRIZES: US$1,000
5 THIRD PRIZES: US$300
25 FINALISTS: US$50
80 SEMIFINALISTS: US$25

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

1. How does the discovery by the secret police of one article of clothing in Leo Kovalensky’s room set the course for the resolution of the story and the fates of Leo, Andrei Taganov and Kira Argounova?

2. We the Living shows that under Communism almost everyone in Russia becomes miserable, including poor people. Some would argue that Communism fails because human nature is not good enough to practice it. Based on the novel’s events and characters, do you think Ayn Rand would agree or disagree? Explain your answer.

3. Through the story of We the Living and the characters of Pavel Syerov, Andrei Taganov, Stepan Timoshenko and Victor Dunaev, what view emerges about the nature of collectivism?

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 We the Living.

Essay submissions are evaluated in a fair and unbiased four-round judging process. Judges are individually selected by the Ayn Rand Institute 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 checks essays with Ithenticate plagiarism detection software.

Rules

• No application is required. Contest is open to students worldwide.

• Entrant must be in grades 10, 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 no fewer than 700 and no more than 1,500 words in length, and double-spaced.

• One entry per student.

• Essay must be submitted online or postmarked by May 5, 2012, no later than 11:59 PM, Pacific standard time.

• The Ayn Rand Institute Canada has the right to provide contest deadline extensions when deemed appropriate.

• Essay must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.

• 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.

• Winners, finalists, semifinalists and all other participants will be notified via e-mail and/or by mail by July 26, 2012.

• Contest winners agree to allow the Ayn Rand Institute Canada to post their names on any of the Institute’s affiliated websites. The first-place winning essay may be posted in its entirety on any of these websites with full credit given to the author.

• Winners will be solely responsible for any provincial, territorial or local taxes.

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:

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).

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.

Protected by Ithenticate Plagiarism Detection Software

© Copyright 2011, the Ayn Rand® Institute Canada. All rights reserved. Ayn Rand® is a licensed trademark of the Estate of Ayn Rand and is used by permission. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. The Ayn Rand® Institute (ARI) and the Ayn Rand® Institute Canada (ARI Canada) are separate legal entities. Please send questions and comments to info@aynrandinstitute.ca.