WORLD FUTURE SOCIETY
HIGH SCHOOL
ESSAY CONTEST RULES AND GUIDELINES
1. Submit an original work in English on TRENDS IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SIX sectors: TECHNOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT, SOCIETY, ECONOMICS, GOVERNMENT, or DEMOGRAPHICS.
2. Submit a comprehensive list of sources consulted, as well as one completed registration form signed by you and your teacher, including. student’s name, address, e-mail address, and the name and address of the student’s high school.
3. Essay must be no fewer than 600 and no more than 1,200 words in length, double spaced. Only one entry per student is allowed.
4. All submissions must include a word count, excluding the list of sources and the registration form.
5. Entries must be in 12-point Times New Roman or an equivalent font, with a one-inch margin on all sides of the page.
6. Do not place your name or your school's name on any of the pages of the essay, just on the cover sheet. Download cover sheet
7. Your essay will be disqualified if it does not meet the requirements or is e-mailed after the submission date.
8. Send all submissions (double spaced and no smaller than 12 font) to: Tim Mack at tmack@wfs.org by April 15, 2010.
9. Fax a copy of the Right to Publish Statement of Authenticity Form to 301-951-0394 by April 15, 2010. (This form is PDF)
GUIDELINES
For the purposes of this Essay Contest, an essay is a three-part paper that lays out and develops a position relating to the topic you choose from the categories above. Although researching the topic to find examples that support your points is crucial to writing your essay, it should be more than a research paper, a narrative description of an event, or a statement of opinion.
Of course, the basics of usage, grammar, and spelling will be part of the standard that the judges will use to assess your essay, as will clarity and reasoning. The audience you are addressing is a general one, so some explanation of any technical information or terms you use may be appropriate.
Your essay should contain the following:
§ An introduction, which introduces the subject and contains an explanation of your position. The objective is to demonstrate that you understand the essay contest question and have formed a response to it.
§ A body, which develops your argument using research and analysis. The process of analysis may include comparing and contrasting, differentiating among several ideas or events, critiquing a variety of perspectives, interpreting results, or drawing inferences. Be sure to identify the sources of your information or ideas.
§ A conclusion, which summarizes the research and analysis presented in the essay and sets forth your conclusions. Drawing on ideas already presented, you should demonstrate that your conclusions support the position you put forward in the opening paragraphs. Your aim is to convince the reader that your position is reasonable and valid.
Your essay should also include notes and a bibliography except when using APA style:
§ Reference notes (footnotes or endnotes) give the sources of your information or ideas. Footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page where the information appears. Alternatively, you may gather all the notes at the end of the text as endnotes.
§ A bibliography is a list of the works that you have referred to in your essay or have consulted in order to write it.
Essays that use a variety of sources—academic journals, news magazines, newspapers, books, government documents, publications from research organizations—fare better in the contest.
Citations in the reference notes or bibliography should follow rules given in a handbook such as the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers or the Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Typically an entry will have at least the name of the author or editor, title of the work, and date and place of publication. The bibliography should be arranged alphabetically by the last names of the authors.
The Internet or World Wide Web should not be the only source for your essay. Be aware that you may encounter "republished" or "third generation" information on the Internet that is inaccurate or improperly attributed. When citing Internet sources, you must include the following information: author(s), title of work, Internet address, and date information was accessed. Detailed instructions can be obtained from the manuals listed above. For the purposes of this essay, Internet sources should be listed separately from non-electronic sources, such as books, magazines, and newspapers.
Again, send all submission (double spaced and no smaller than 12 font) to Tim Mack, tmack@wfs.org, by April 15, 2010.
Special Note to Parents and Teachers
Personal information is requested from students entering the contest so that the World Future Society can contact winners and recognize their achievement. This information is not shared with any other organizations.
The goal of this contest is to spark interest in foresight and to encourage students to explore the many ways that the study of the future has impacted our world. If you are interested in additional information and resources for helping your children or students in this endeavor, please explore the WFS Web site at www.wfs.org If you have questions or concerns about our privacy statement or about this contest, please contact us at info@wfs.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
World Future Society Headquarters
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Web site: www.wfs.org
Telephone: 800-989-8274 or 301-656-8274; fax: 301-951-0394