How Has Reading Ayn Rand’s Novels Affected You?

Ayn Rand Novel Covers

New Essay Contest!

For Grades 11 through College/Adult

Deadline: May 14, 2010

Cash Awards:

First Prize: $2,000
2 Second Prizes: $500
5 Third Prizes: $100
5 Finalists: $50

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.

Topics

Select ONE of the following topics:

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?
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.

Rules

No application is required.
Entrants must have participated in an Ayn Rand Institute essay contest.
Contest is open to participants worldwide.
Essay must be between 700 and 1,500 words in length.
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.

To Enter

» Submit online

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 essay@aynrand.org. 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:

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; the name and address of your school (if you are still a student); topic selected (#1 or

2) your current grade level (if applicable); 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 about this essay contest are welcome. Please write to essay@aynrand.org.