Students are invited to submit entries for the 7th-annual Philip Carret Thomas Jefferson Essay Competition. Submissions are due in April and the top essay will earn a $1,000 prize. Details and contest guidelines...
Individual submissions are invited for the 2003 Carret Essay Competition. This annual competition is open to all Elon University undergraduate students. Essays of approximately 1,500 words should be submitted in response to the following topic:
What did Thomas Jefferson have to say about the topic of religion? Write an essay defining and interpreting Jefferson’s position on this important issue.
Your essay must show an understanding of Jefferson’s “A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom in Virginia, 1785.” This document can be found by clicking here.
You may use any additional sources that you choose. Your paper must be appropriately documented and must include an annotated bibliography. (“Annotated” means that you write 2-3 sentences evaluating each entry).
Prizes will be awarded to the top three essays:
- First place: $1,000
- Second place: $600
- Third place: $400
In addition to receiving the prize money, the first place winner will be invited to tour Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello and stay overnight at The International Center for Jefferson Studies courtesy of Dr. Daniel P. Jordan, President of The Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
Here are the contest rules:
- All entries must be typed, double-spaced, on numbered pages, with a cover sheet containing the title only.
- The writer’s name should not appear on the paper itself. Instead, an index card containing the author’s name, local address, phone number and the title of the paper should be attached.
- Essays must be fully documented using any standard documentation style.
- Submissions must be handed in to Melissa Holmes, Registrar’s Office, Alamance 102, by 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2003.
- All entries will be judged by a faculty panel. The identities of the authors will not be revealed to the judges until judging is completed.
- Essays will be judged according to the quality and the creativity of the response to the question asked. Additional criteria for judging include: quality of written English; quality of logical and rhetorical strategies; thoroughness of research; accuracy and completeness of documentation; individuality and style.
- Students may want to consult a core of materials placed on reserve in Belk Library.
Winners will be announced at the Carret/Jefferson Dinner on Monday, April 14, 2003.
Questions about the competition should be directed to Nancy Midgette, associate provost, McEwen 203, phone 278-6420; or Mark Albertson, registrar and assistant to the provost, Alamance 102, phone 278-6677.