The Fountainhead Essay Contest Information

Eligibility: 11th and 12th Graders Entry Deadline: April 26, 2010 FIRST PRIZE: $10,000 5 SECOND PRIZES: $2,000 10 THIRD PRIZES: $1,000 45 FINALISTS: $100 175 SEMIFINALISTS: $50

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

1. Howard Roark refuses a major contract when he most needs it, claiming that his action was “the most selfish thing you’ve ever seen a man do.” (Ch. 15) Why does he call his action “selfish”? And why do other people call it “selfless”?

2. Gail Wynand is a brilliant individual who rose out of the slums by means of his own talent and effort. But despite his reverence for man’s noblest achievements, his newspaper, The Banner, presents the most lurid and loathsome values. Why does Wynand pander in this manner? And why doesn’t Howard Roark?

3. Choose the scene in The Fountainhead that is most meaningful to you. Analyze that scene in terms of the wider themes in the book.

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 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, 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 the 11th or 12th grade.

• 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 high 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 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length and double-spaced.

• One entry per participant, please.

• Essay must be postmarked no later than April 26, 2010, no later than 11:59PM, 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. 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, 2010.

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

To Enter

» Submit your essay online

Or mail your essay with stapled cover sheet to:

The Fountainhead 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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