2014 Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest (USD 10,000+ in Cash Prizes).

Entry Deadline: October 24, 2014

Eligibility: 12th Graders, College Undergraduates, and Graduate Students

Topics

Select ONE of the following three topics:

1. In the novel, James Taggart’s first words are “Don’t bother me, don’t bother me, don’t bother me.” Why is this significant? How do his first words relate to his thoughts and actions throughout the novel?
2. At Hank Rearden’s wedding anniversary party, a guest says “Isn’t it odd? When a politician or a movie star retires, we read front page stories about it. But when a philosopher retires, people do not even notice it.” To which, Francisco D’Anconia replies, “They do, eventually.” What does Francisco mean? How does his answer relate to the theme of the novel?
3. Explain Ragnar Danneskjold’s statement that Robin Hood is the one man he is out to destroy. What is the deeper moral meaning of his claim?

Rules

• No application is required. The Contest is open to students worldwide, except where void or prohibited by law.
• Entrant must be a 12th Grader, College Undergraduate, or Graduate Student. To avoid disqualification, mailed in essays must include a stapled cover sheet with the following information:
  1. your name and address;
  2. your e-mail address (if available);
  3. the name and address of your school;
  4. topic selected (#1, 2 or 3 from list above);
  5. your current grade level; and
  6. (optional) the name of the teacher who assigned the essay, if you are completing it for classroom credit.
• Essay must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length, and double-spaced.
• Essay must be postmarked no later than October 24, 2014, no later than 11:59 PM, Pacific Standard time.
• Essay must be solely the work of the entrant. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.

Prizes:

FIRST PRIZE: $10,000
3 SECOND PRIZES: $2,000
5 THIRD PRIZES: $1,000
25 FINALISTS: $100
50 SEMIFINALISTS: $50

Submit Your Applications Online for the 2014 Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest 

Or mail your essay with stapled cover sheet to: