Along with our friends at Classical Conversations we’re excited to announce our 2015 Lost Tools of Writing essay contest!
For students ages 12-18, this contest is an ideal opportunity for your students to practice (and show) what they’ve learned this year, with the chance of winning a cash prize too.
The contest will be judged by a selection of highly qualified teachers, speakers, writers, and LTW program developers: Leah Lutz, the LTW Program Director; Renee Mathis, online LTW instructor and CiRCE Apprenticeship Head Mentor for the South Central region; Matt Bianco, of Classical Conversations; Cindy Rollins, noted speaker and blogger; Brian Phillips, Head Master of the CiRCE Academy and Professor at Belmont Academy College; and David Kern, CiRCE’s Multimedia Director.
Students will be divided into groups based on age. Group 1 will be ages 12-15 and group 2 will be ages 16-18.
Here are the rules – including the topic – for each group.
Group 1: Students age 12 – 15
Question (from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe): Should Lucy have trusted Tumnus?
Length: 750 – 1000 words
Parameters: Must include an introduction with an exordium, a conclusion with an amplfiication, and three proofs with adequate support. Judges will be looking for precision of language in the form of strong subjects and verbs and proper and imaginative implementation of parallelism and simile as well as proper use of the various required essay parts.
Format: All essays must be submitted as a PDF, double-spaced, and in Times New Roman font.
- First prize: $250
- Second prize: $100
- Third prize: $50
Group 2: Students age 16-18
Question (from Homer’s Iliad): Should Achilles have removed himself from the battle?
Length: 1000 – 1250 words
Parameters: Must include an introduction with an exordium, a conclusion with an amplification, three proofs with adequate support, a narratio, and a refutation. Judges will be looking for precision of language in the form of strong subjects and verbs, and proper and imaginative implementation of the schemes and tropes; proper use of the various required essay parts; and a clear grasp of the subject matter.
Format: All essays must be submitted as a PDF, double-spaced, and in Times New Roman font.
- First prize: $250
- Second prize: $100
- Third prize: $50
ALL ESSAYS ARE DUE APRIL 27TH. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED MAY 4TH.
