Thirty-second Annual Essay Contest
for
Pennsylvania’s High School Juniors, 2014-2015
To encourage high school students in their writing
and to recognize publicly some of the best student
writers in Pennsylvania, Penn State’s Program in
Writing and Rhetoric (PWR) is sponsoring the thirtysecond annual essay contest for eleventh-grade
students. The Offices of Undergraduate Studies and
Recruitment and Retention at Penn State are
providing financial support to recognize the winners
of this contest.
The author of the best essay will receive $300.
Second-place winner will receive $150, and each of
the five honorable mentions will receive $50. All the
finalists and their English Departments will receive
certificates of commendation from Penn State. All
the finalists and their supervising teachers will be
guests at a luncheon in their honor.
Copies of this announcement and contest materials
are being sent to the English Departments in all
public, private, and parochial schools in Pennsylvania.
NOMINATION PROCEDURES
One method of choosing a nominee is to form a
committee of students and teachers to act as judges
in a preliminary contest. Such a committee would
select the best writer or writers of expository prose
to represent the school.
NUMBER OF NOMINEES
The number of nominees from each school is
determined by the school’s current enrollment in
grade eleven. One to eight students may be
nominated—but no more than eight.
Under 149 students
150-299 students
300-599 students
600-899 students
900-1,199 students
1,200-1,499 students
1,500-1,799 students
1,800 or more students
one nominee
two nominees
three nominees
four nominees
five nominees
six nominees
seven nominees
eight nominees
The enrollment figure used must be an official one
from administrative reports of the current year.
ELIGIBILITY
Only eleventh grade students are eligible for this
contest. Nominees must be juniors in the academic
year 2014-2015.
Public, private, and parochial schools in Pennsylvania
may participate in this contest.
THE ENTRY
After reading a professional essay under their
teacher’s supervision, students will be asked to write
an impromptu essay, taking no more than one hour to
do so. Essays may be composed on computers. The
essays can either be mailed or emailed to the
Program in Writing and Rhetoric, attention Lynn
Setzler (address below) or emailed to her at
las36@psu.edu.
JUDGING OF ENTRIES
Experienced Penn State writing instructors will
evaluate the contest entries. These instructors will
be looking for evidence of students’ strengths in
both critical thinking and writing skills that include a
clear thesis statement; a point-by-point argument,
supported with details and examples; and stylistic
skill and grace. Each entry will be read by at least
two judges. No entries will be returned.
Finalists will be notified in February 2015.
2014-2015 DEADLINES
December 12, 2014
Deadline for schools to mail or email compositions to
Penn State.
February, 2015
Notification of contest winners and their teachers.
The awards luncheon to recognize the winners will be
held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Nittany Lion
Inn on the Penn State Campus.
Queries
Address all queries to the Penn State Essay Contest
for High School Juniors, The Pennsylvania State
University, Department of English, Program in
Writing and Rhetoric, 139 Burrowes Building,
University Park, PA 16802. Phone (814) 863-3066,
Lynn Setzler (las36@psu.edu).
Equal Access and Accommodations
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to
participate in its programs and activities. If you
anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have
questions about the physical access provided, please
consult Lynn Setzler (814) 863-3066 in advance of
your participation or visit.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that
all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities,
admission, and employment without regard to personal
characteristics not related to ability, performance, or
qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or
federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not
discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color,
disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex,
sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding
the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director,
The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University
Park, PA 16802-2801; tel. (814)863-4700/V, (814)863-1150/TTY.