Anthem Essay Contest Information

Eligibility: 8th, 9th and 10th Graders Entry Deadline: March 20, 2011 FIRST PRIZE: $2,000 5 SECOND PRIZES: $500 10 THIRD PRIZES: $200 45 FINALISTS: $50 175 SEMIFINALISTS: $30

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

1. Contrast Equality’s view of morality at the end of the novel to the morality exemplified by his society’s institutions, practices, and officials.

2. Anthem’s theme is, in Ayn Rand’s own words, "the meaning of man’s ego." Explain the ways in which the characters and story in Anthem illustrate this theme.

3. To fully control a man, dictators must not only enslave his body, but also destroy his mind. Discuss how the leaders and society in Anthem seek to accomplish this tyrannical end.

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.

Rules

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

• Entrant must be in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade.

• 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 600 and no more than 1,200 words in length, and double-spaced.

• One entry per student, please.

• Essay must be submitted online or postmarked by March 20, 2011, no later than 11:59 PM, Pacific Standard Time.

• The Ayn Rand Institute 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, 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 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, 2011.

• Contest winners agree to allow the Ayn Rand Institute to post their names on any of ARI’s affiliated websites. The winning first place 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 federal, state or local taxes.

To Enter

Or mail your essay with stapled cover sheet to:

Anthem Essay Contest
The Ayn Rand Institute
P.O. Box 57044
Irvine, CA 92619-7044

Please do not submit duplicate essays!

If submitting your essay electronically, you will be sent an email confirming our receipt. If you have not received an e-mail notification within 24 hours, please e-mail info@aynrandnovels.com. If you are submitting by mail, please paperclip a stamped, self-addressed postcard to the your essay and we will return it to you.

Comments or Questions

Comments or questions about the essay contests are welcome. Please write to info@aynrandnovels.com.

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