The ALSCW works to foster and recognize excellence in the critically important area of student writing of analytical essays at the secondary school level. We invite submissions of analytical essays by students in grades 9 through 12 dealing with works of recognized literary merit. Papers may examine style, characterization, rhetorical technique, and structure, and may be about individual poems, short stories, novels, plays, or essays. Papers may also compare two carefully selected works.
The judges value lucid and lively expression, conceptual maturity, and argumentation that is developed from compelling and careful attention to specific passages. They do not seek term/research papers, but hope to receive carefully crafted interpretive and analytical essays of 1500 to 2500 words. Essays written in fulfillment of school assignments are welcome.
The winning essay will be published in Literary Matters, the online literary journal of the Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers, and the winning contestant will receive an award of $1,500. First and second runners-up will receive $250 each.
To be eligible for the prize, students must be a member of the ALSCW or be sponsored by a teacher or high school that is an ALSCW member. For information about joining the ALSCW.org.
Entries must be postmarked no later than July 1st, 2018. Three copies of each entry (only one with the student’s name on it) must be sent with the contest registration Downloadable Form to:
ALSCW Meringoff Writing Awards
Marist Annex
The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20064
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