For ALL students in grades 11 and 12
Entry Deadline: April 27, 2023
Cash Prizes
1st Place
$5,000
1 Winner
2nd Place
$1,250
3 Winners
3rd Place
$250
5 Winners
Finalist
$100
25 Winners
Semifinalist
$25
50 Winners
Topics
Select ONE of the following three topics:
1
Mallory says the following about Roark: “You know how people long to be eternal. But they die with every day that passes. . . . They change, they deny, they contradict—and they call it growth. . . . How do they expect a permanence which they have never held for a single moment? But Howard—one can imagine him existing forever.” Give examples of characters in the novel who change in the way Mallory suggests. In what respects is Roark unchanging through the book? Are there any respects in which his character develops? How do these issues of characterization relate to the theme of the novel?
2
Toohey tells Keating the following: “I’m the most selfless man you’ve ever known. I have less independence than you, whom I just forced to sell your soul.” Drawing on Toohey’s own explanation and on his actions in the story, explain your understanding of what Toohey means by this. Does the author agree with Toohey’s assessment of his own motivation? Do you? Explain your answers.
3
In The Fountainhead, we can see how Roark is guided by his own creative vision, whether in the way he develops his skills as an architect, in the terms on which he’ll work for employers, or in the standards he uses for accepting or rejecting new clients. Judging from examples of these aspects of his decisions and actions, do you think he would be a supporter or opponent of free-market capitalism? Explain your answer, being sure to define relevant terms.
Judging
Essays will be judged on whether the student is able to argue for and justify their view—not on whether the Institute agrees with the view the student expresses. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of The Fountainhead.
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, 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
- The Ayn Rand Institute’s (ARI’s) The Fountainhead essay contest is open to all students worldwide, except where void or prohibited by law.
- Entrants must be enrolled as a 11th or 12th grade student during the school year in which the contest is held. ARI reserves the right to make exceptions to this rule, on a case-by-case basis, for international students or for students with nonstandard school years. Verification of school enrollment will be required for all winning entrants.
- Students are permitted to submit one entry to the contest each year, provided they meet the eligibility requirements outlined above and have not previously won first-place in the contest.
- Essays must be written in English only, and be between 800 and 1,600 words in length, double-spaced. Spelling errors and/or written corrections (by anyone) found on the essay will count against the final grade and should be omitted before submission.
- Essays must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarism will result in automatic disqualification.
- Essays must not infringe on any third-party rights or intellectual property of any person, company or organization. By submitting an essay to this contest, the entrant agrees to indemnify ARI for any claim, demand, judgment or other allegation arising from possible violation of someone’s trademark, copyright or other legally protected interest in any way in the entrant’s essay.
- Essays must be submitted electronically through ARI’s online application portal. If you are unable to submit your essay electronically, please contact us at essays@aynrand.org.
- Essays must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time of the entry deadline. ARI reserves the right to provide contest deadline extensions on a case-by-case basis when deemed appropriate.
- All entries become the property of ARI and will not be returned.
- All entrants will be notified of the final results via email by August, 2023.
- Winners are responsible for providing their mailing addresses and other necessary information under the law in order to receive any prizes. Prizes must be claimed within six months of the results being announced.
- Winners agree to allow ARI to post their names and school information on any of its affiliated websites. The first-place essay may be posted in its entirety on any of these websites with full credit given to the author.
- Winners agree to record a short video testimonial about their experience reading The Fountainhead, and consent to ARI’s sharing of said video with donors who make the essay contest possible.
- Winners consent to participate in interviews and allow ARI to use quotes and take photographs, movies or videotapes of them.
- Winners also grant to ARI the right to edit, use and reuse said products for non-profit purposes including use in print, on the internet and all other forms of media.
Winners release ARI and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever regarding the above. - Winners will be solely responsible for any federal, state or local taxes.
- Employees of ARI, its board of directors and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
Protected by Ithenticate Plagiarism Detection Software
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 still have not received e-mail notification, please first check your junk or spam folders and then e-mail us at eduprograms@aynrandinstitute.ca. Please do not re-submit your essay.
