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25th Annual Essay Contest on Ayn Rand’s Novel The Fountainhead
For Students in Grades 11 and 12
Deadline: April 26, 2010
Cash Awards:
First Prize: $10,000
5 Second Prizes: $2,000
10 Third Prizes: $1,000
45 Finalists: $100
175 Semi-Finalists: $50
All prize amounts US$
Topics
Select ONE of the following three topics:
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”? 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? 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 Anthem.
Essay submissions are evaluated in a fair and unbiased four-round judging
process. Judges are individually selected by the Ayn Rand Institute Canada 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 Canada checks essays with
Ithenticate plagiarism detection software.
Rules
- No application is required. Contest is open to students worldwide.
- Entrant must be in Grade 11 or 12.
- Essay must be between 800 and 1,600 words.
- Essay must be submitted by April 26, 2010, by 11:59 PM, PST.
- Essay must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarized essays will be disqualified.
- Entrants may submit only one essay. Decisions of the judges are final.
- Employees of the Ayn Rand Institute Canada, 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 Canada and will not be returned.
- Participants will be notified of the contest results by July 27, 2010.
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 have not received e-mail
notification, please e-mail eduprograms@aynrandinstitute.ca. Please check your junk e-mail
for your notification. Please do not re-submit.
Students unable to submit their essays online may mail essays to:
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
The Ayn Rand Institute
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; the name
and address of your high school; topic selected (#1, 2 or 3 from the list
above); your current grade level; the name of the teacher who assigned the essay (if applicable).
If you wish to verify our receipt of your essay, please paperclip a stamped,
self-addressed postcard to the essay.
Comments or questions about the essay contests are welcome. Please write to
eduprograms@aynrandinstitute.ca.
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