- Higher Education

ILLINOIS TESOL-BE
HIGHER EDUCATION ESL STUDENT WRITING CONTEST

2011/2012

ELIGIBILITY- Contestant must be a student who is enrolled in a higher educational institution in the state of Illinois and be a non-native speaker of English. One winning essay will be awarded from three categories. Each winning student is awarded $150.

FORM- Essays must be 500-1000 words (2 to 3 typed pages in English, Font: Times New Roman Size 12, double spaced and neat). Entries must be submitted with a complete cover sheet, which must include the student’s name, home country, name of school, sponsoring teacher, student's address, phone number, and essay category they are submitting for. There should be no identifying information on any pages of the essay. This includes any mention of the contestant’s name or school.

CONDITIONS- Failure to abide by any of these rules and conditions will result in the disqualification of the student’s essay from the competition.

1. Each student may submit only one entry.
2. All essays become the property of Illinois TESOL/BE.
3. All essays must be the ORIGINAL MATERIAL OF THE AUTHOR.
     • The essays must be based on prior knowledge, i.e.; this is not a research essay.
     • No teacher editing.
     • No computer editing will be allowed except for spell check= no grammar check.

IF A STUDENT HAS PLAGIARIZED ANY PART OF THE ESSAY, IT WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION.

ESSAY CATEGORY #1: Write a humorous narrative that discusses your experiences in the United States. You may discuss differences in customs, school, culture shock experiences, or other humorous experiences, etc.

ESSAY CATEGORY #2: Write a personal narrative that discusses how learning English has changed your life. What challenges did you face and overcome? What doors are now open to you as an English speaker?

ESSAY CATEGORY #3: Write a personal/opinion essay on how technology has influenced your life. What has technology done to enhance your personal and professional life? Is technology helping or hurting society?

JUDGING- Entries will be judged based upon content, organization, vocabulary, language use and mechanics. Criteria for judging will be creativity, writing style, and adherence to form, rules, and condition.

PRIZES- Monetary prizes ($150 Category #1, $150 Category #2, $150 Category #3) and certificates of merit. In addition, the winners' names and photos will be posted on the Illinois TESOL-BE website. Essays will also be published in the newsletter. Sponsoring teachers will also receive a certificate of participation.

DEADLINE- ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN
Friday, December 2, 2011

Email all entries to:
Lisa Barrett
highsig@itbe.org
Please write "Higher Ed Writing Contest" as the subject line