Essay Contest

Essay Contest Assignment

Our second unit focuses on understanding rhetorical situation, and the essay contest essay calls you to procure two texts that will both be considered as equal parts of your Unit 2 assignment.


Finding an Essay Contest
Scour the internet and look for essay contests.  Find a contest that suits your interests.  It can be an essay for a scholarship, cash, or some other reward.  Be advised, there are essays contests that require specific understanding of certain author(s) or texts.  If you choose one of these contests, be sure you have an adequate understanding of what the contest is asking for. Make sure you choose a contest that is age appropriate. I will not count your piece if you enter an essay contest for sixth graders.

Find some Background Info
After you find your essay contest, you should do a basic rhetorical review of the contest itself. Who is putting the contest together (rhetor)? Is it a foundation, a group of individuals, or a single person? Search the background information of the group or person who prepared the essay contest to gain a better understanding of who they are and what they expect. What exigence is there for this particular contest? Is it set up to cultivate specific ways of thinking about an issue or topic? Is the contest set up in the name of philanthropy? Is the contest itself associated with other groups or organizations or does it have close affiliations? If so, what is important about these affiliations? What types of constraints are at play for this essay contest?

A Mini Rhetorical Analysis
Considering our unit on rhetoric, deliver a two page rhetorical analysis of the contest you have chosen to investigate. Consider Grant-Davie's constituents of rhetoric as a starting point for your rhetorical analysis. An analysis considers how and why a rhetorical situation unfolds and goes beyond simply describing the rhetorical situation. You may use outside sources to aid in your analysis, but you should be sure to site those sources.

Write the Essay
Each essay contest will present its own set of challenges and issues, so I don't have any particular advice regarding how the essay is constructed. (though a thorough rhetorical analysis of the contest itself should help you) After delivering your rhetorical analysis, you should copy and paste the essay contest prompt along with a URL of the contest itself. Next, write the essay.

If you have any questions about this essay, please email me a joseph.longhany@ucf.edu