The Raleigh Chapter
Sons of the American Revolution

Thomas Harry Gatton

2007 Collegiate Essay Contest

First Place Receives a $500 Cash Award


2007 CONTEST RULES

1. This contest is open to all students who are currently enrolled in a North Carolina college or university. All entries are submitted to the contest chairman at the address in item 6 (below).  Only one entry per student is permitted each year.

2.   The contest is for an original, researched, and proven topic, written in English. The topic of the essay shall pertain to events, persons, or attitudes between 1770 and May 1789  that are related to the American Revolution.  Students must source at least five (5) references.

The essay must have a minimum of 500 words and not exceed 750 words excluding title page, footnotes, bibliography, and biography. One or two letter words such as I, to, and we are not counted. When counting words in a date, a numerical date (1776) or a date spelled out (seventeen seventy-six) shall be counted as one word. Names of places such as New York City shall be counted as one word.

3.   The essay shall have three parts: a) title page, b) essay, and c) bibliography (works cited).
Information on the title page shall include the title of the essay, contestant's name, address, and telephone number. In addition, the title page shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the college or university in which the contestant is enrolled, and the number of years attended.

4.   The essay shall be typed on a computer, word processor, or typewriter.   Submissions may be transmitted attached to an e-mail in MS Word, Lotus Wordpro, or rich-text-format (.rft), or mailed in hard copy form to the address in item 6.  

5.   The sources used shall be documented in accordance with Modern Language Association publication, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Fifth Edition, 1999, by Joseph Gibaldi.  A summary of the MLA guidelines may be found at   http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocMLA.html    

6.   Submission:  Entries must be postmarked or E-mailed prior to April 1, 2007.  The winner will be notified by May 1, 2007.   All North Carolina essays must be sent to the contest Chairman:

    James A. Becker
    10801 Debnam Road             or  E-mail :  jab109@nc.rr.com
    Zebulon, NC 27597-9342        
 
7.   The essay will be judged by a committee of at least three SAR members on the following criteria:

•    A. Historical accuracy and research content
•    B. Clarity of thought & organization
•    C. Grammar and spelling
•    D. Documentation of source material

8.   AWARDS:  The Raleigh Chapter of the SAR will present the winner with a $500 cash award and a certificate.

9.   The winning essay of the annual contest may be submitted for publication in The SAR Magazine or other SAR publications. Participants in this contest agree that their essays may be published or posted on SAR sponsored websites.

10.   Participants in this contest agree that the interpretation of rules and the decisions of the SAR and its judges shall govern without reservation.

11.   The essay submitted must be the work of the contestant.  The subject and content of the paper may have already been submitted as part of course work, but the format needs to conform to contest rules.