Contributing to the dialogue

The Office of the Provost thanks you for your interest in participating in the Excellence in Writing Contest. The series of four different essay contests, spread over the course of the academic year, is open to the entire undergraduate campus community* and designed to engage students and inspire rich intellectual dialogue.

In addition to monetary prizes, the first-place winners will receive essay-specific, resume-building opportunities.

"When Scientists Write"

"Sustainability" is undoubtedly the world’s most increasingly pressing issue. From scientific points of view, how would you address this subject in relation to some fundamental scientific knowledge?

Your essay can address any aspects in scientific research on sustainability, but it should move beyond discussions in social or economic value and, instead, address core, basic scientific inquiries. Some of the sample keywords and key concepts include, but not limited to "carbon footprint,","ecosystem," "extinction," "energy consumption," "Thermodynamic efficiency," "solar energy," "wind power," "mathematical models of energy efficiency," "population statistics," "behavioral ecosystem," "health consequences." Any other key concepts in sciences are also most welcome. Please note that your essay should have a focus and clear direction. Do not attempt to address in one essay all fields and topics relevant to the theme of sustainability. Instead, focus on the subject or topic you are most interested in so that you can write a good short 500-word research essay.

Prizes

  • 1st Place $500
  • 2nd Place $250
  • Public Announcement including an announcement in UDaily

Deadlines

  • Thank you for your science essay contribution to the Excellence in Writing Competition. The review panel received insufficient submissions and no winner has emerged from the process.
  • CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Entries

  • Entries should be submitted in .pdf file format

"The Shortest for UD's Brightest"

In 100 words or less, what do you foresee for UD's future? Do you envision a more prestigious research institute or a college of liberal spirits? How could we improve civic engagement, or create a more vibrant community of intellectual exchange? This open-ended essay question seeks to spark student interest and dialogue on the University’s future.

Tips to consider

  • A short essay is not short of ideas.
  • A well-written 100-word essay requires rigorous writing and multiple rounds of editing.
  • Remember to have a thesis statement and supporting arguments.
  • To compose a short yet powerful essay, you should write succinctly and use proper grammar, with each word carefully chosen and placed in the right position.

Altogether, in 100-word essay, with clear ideas, good prose, strong arguments, and powerful thoughts, what can you tell us about the future of UD you would like to see?

Prizes

  • A meeting with Provost Apple and senior administrators to discuss and provide student input on future University initiatives
  • 1st Place $500
  • 2nd Place $250

Deadlines

  • CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
  • All entries must be submitted electronically through the "Excellence in Writing" web site.
  • One entry per student
  • Entries are not being accepted at this time

Entries

  • Entries should be submitted in .pdf file format

FYE: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

We apologize for a date error on the poster, this contest closed September 26th, at midnight. Be sure not to miss the author Rebecca Skloot's visit to campus October 13, 2011 in Mitchell Hall.

All first-year students are invited to submit a short essay related to this year's common reader as well as a question for the author. The essay contest winners will be invited to a special limited seating presentation by Rebecca Skloot and a member of the Lacks family.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks examines a number of complex issues, such as the function of science and the role of the media in our culture, the power of the family, bioethics, racism, and poverty. There are countless others. In this essay you will choose a theme that struck you as particularly important or interesting.

Prizes

  • An invitation to meet the author of the FYE book and a member of the Lacks family
  • 1st Place $300
  • 2nd Place $150
  • 3rd Place $100
  • 4th Place $50 (up to 10 awarded)

Deadlines

  • All entries must be submitted electronically through the "Excellence in Writing" web site.
  • One entry per student
  • The contest is now closed. Entries are no longer being accepted.

Entries

  • Entries should be submitted in .pdf file format

NO APATHY: The Center for Political Communication

The UD Center for Political Communication, in association with the office of the Provost, announces a campus-wide writing competition for Fall 2011, as the 2012 U.S. Presidential election campaign moves into high gear. The competition’s goals are to honor excellent, accessible writing, to encourage students to consider national and international issues, and to build political literacy on the UD campus.

The theme for the inaugural campus-wide competition is "No Apathy." Entrants will write brief essays in the form of pointed “op-ed” articles suitable for national publication.

Prizes

  • an invitation to dinner with the University's National Agenda guest speaker, Professor and former CNN correspondent Ralph Begleiter, and other prominent experts in political science and communications.
  • 1st Place $500
  • 2nd Place $250

Deadlines

  • All entries must be submitted electronically through the "Excellence in Writing" web site.
  • One entry per student
  • This contest is now closed. All entries must be submitted by Friday, October 7, 2011 at 6pm.

Entries

  • Entries should be submitted in .pdf fileformat

* with the exception of the First Year Experience writing contest, open only to students in the FYE program