2010 Essay Contest Guidelines
GUIDELINES
FOR THE 2010 ESSAY CONTEST
“COMPASSION AND THE IMPRISONED CHILD”
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to submit an essay, students must meet the age requirements as of May 1, 2010. You may submit only ONE essay.
Age Categories
17 & under : 5,000 characters or less (approx. 1000 words in length).
18-22 : 7,500 characters or less (approx. 1500 words in length).
Essay Format
The essay must be an original, unpublished work.
Essays may be written in the formal or informal voice, but most importantly, an individual perspective should be present within the essay.
Sources are to be cited in the text. Do not use footnotes or endnotes. You do not need to provide a bibliography.
Essays should be typed in 12-point font, double-spaced with 1″ margins. On the lower right corner of your last page enter your word count. Your name must not appear on the essay pages, only on the cover sheet.
Entries not meeting these submission guidelines will be automatically disqualified. Entries will not be returned and must be postmarked by May 1, 2010.
Awards and Recognition
$1,000 will be awarded to the author of the best essay in each of the two age categories. Second place essays will receive $500 award and Honorable mention will receive $250 award. The winners will be notified in June 2010 and the select winning essays posted on internet at http://essay.oakseed.org
Essay Evaluation Criteria
Each essay should:
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues surrounding children in prison and the implications for society.
- Show the author has personally wrestled with the nature and character of compassion.
- Demonstrate the student’s own serious reflection on the current and future problems facing children in prison.
- Be focused and well reasoned.
- Use correct spelling and grammar.
All entries will be judged, according to age category, using the following criteria:
Awareness of the problem (1/3 total score)
Demonstrate knowledge and a depth of understanding about the issue from your research.
Quality of the analysis (1/3 total score)
Develop your own perspective of the issue. This perspective should be reflected in your analysis of the issue and your personal response to it.
Style and mechanics (1/3 total score)
Use proper spelling and grammar. Your response to the topic should be clear and original.
Content Reviewers
These judges and essay readers are from outside the staff of Oakseed Ministries will identify the essays that best meet the above criteria. The highest rated essays will go on to a second round of judging by a team of judges who will select the semi-finalists. The prize-winning essays will then be selected by the directors of Oakseed Ministries. All decisions are final.
Foreign Language Submissions
Essays may also be submitted in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Chinese. See the following essay submission guidelines page for more information on other languages.
Essay Contest Topics
Read more about the essay contest topics on this post.
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