Ayn Rand Novels Essay Contest Information

How Has Reading Ayn Rand’s Novels Affected You?

Eligibility: Grades 11 through College/Adult Entry Deadline: May 14, 2010 FIRST PRIZE: $2,000 2 SECOND PRIZES: $500 5 THIRD PRIZES: $100 5 FINALISTS: $50

Grades 11 through College/Adult are Welcome to Participate!

Over the years, the Ayn Rand Institute has received hundreds of letters from participants who want to share their reaction to Ayn Rand’s novels, as well as the impact that entering the contest has had on their lives. Now we are inviting all former participants of the Ayn Rand Institute essay contests to tell us their story.

Please tell us how reading Ayn Rand’s novel(s) and participating in ARI’s essay contest(s) has had an influence on you.

Select ONE of the following prompts:

1. What was your initial response to the novel(s)? In what ways has reading Ayn Rand inspired you and the choices you have made in your life?

2. How did your participation in ARI’s essay contest bring about a better understanding of Ayn Rand’s works? What impact did this have on your educational and personal ambitions?

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 Ayn Rand’s novels.

Essay submissions are evaluated in a fair and unbiased multi-round judging process. To ensure the anonymity of our participants, cover sheets and identifying information are removed after the first round. Winners’ names remain unknown to judges until after the essays have been ranked and the contest results finalized. The Ayn Rand Institute checks essays with Ithenticate plagiarism detection software.

How Has Reading Ayn Rand Affected You?—Rules

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

• Entrants must have participated in an Ayn Rand Institute essay contest.

• To avoid disqualification, a stapled cover sheet must include:

  1. your name and address;
  2. your e-mail address (if available);
  3. the name and address of your school (if applicable);
  4. topic selected (#1 or 2 from list above); and
  5. your current grade level (if applicable)

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

• One entry per participant, please.

• Essay must be submitted online or postmarked by May 14, 2010, no later than 11:59 PM, Pacific Time.

• 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.

• All entries become the property of the Ayn Rand Institute and will not be returned.

• Winners, finalists and all other participants will be notified via e-mail and/or by mail by July 27, 2010.

• Note: All information necessary to enter the contest is contained on this page. It is not necessary to write for more information.

How Has Reading Ayn Rand Affected You?—To Enter

» Submit your essay online

Click on the above link to access our Web Form. Simply fill in your contact information (this takes the place of a cover sheet), copy and paste your essay into the designated field, and click “Submit.” A message stating “Your entry is being routed” will immediately follow. You will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of your entry within 24 hours. If you have not received e-mail notification within 24 hours, please e-mail essay@aynrand.org.

Students unable to submit their essays online may mail essays to:

How Did Ayn Rand Influence You?
Ayn Rand Institute Contests
P.O. Box 57044
Irvine, CA 92619-7044

For mailed-in essays only: You MUST include a stapled cover sheet with the following information: your name; mailing address; e-mail address (if available); the name and address of your school (if you are still a student); topic selected (#1 or #2) your current grade level (if applicable); and the year and contest that you previously entered.

If you wish to verify our receipt of your essay, please paperclip a stamped, self-addressed postcard to the essay.

Please do not submit duplicate essays!

Comments or Questions

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

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