Prizes: Level 2 - HIGH SCHOOL

First Prize...................$1000
Second Prize.................$500
Third Prize....................$250
Honorable Mention........$100
Honorable Mention........$100

Prizes: Level 1 - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

First Prize...................$500
Second Prize...............$250
Third Prize..................$125
Honorable Mention........$50
Honorable Mention........$50

2010 -2011 Irish History Writing Contest Rules

1. Paper Length   

        Level 1 - Not less than 500 words or more than 1,000 words.
                          
        Level 2 - Not less than 750 words or more than 1,500 words.

2. Writing Style   

        MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Seventh Edition (MLA) is to be followed by the writer.  Make sure to acknowledge all resources  that you use as you prepare your paper.  According to the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Seventh Edition:
Plagerism involves two kinds of wrongs.  Using another person's ideas, information, or expressions without acknowledging that person's work constitutes intellectual theft.  Passing off another person's ideas, information, or expressions as your own to get a better grade or gain some advantage constitutes fraud. (52)

        MLA Style Requirements:

            •  Paper is to be double spaced including title page, body of paper, quotations, and works sited
            •  Paper is to be completed using a word processor preferably, but a legibly hand-written paper is acceptable
            •  Paper is to be printed or hand-written on white paper, single-sided only
            •  Letter font is not to exceed 12 point if using a word processing software program or double spaced if paper is hand-written
            •  Margins are to be one inch at top, bottom, left, and right
            •  Paragraphs are to be indented one-half inch from left margin
            •  Quotations are to be indented one inch from the left margin if the quotation runs more than four lines
            •  References are to be acknowledged using MLA style
            •  Works Cited Page is to be included using MLA style

        Additional Style Requirements:

            •  Title Page is required to be used stating the student's name, addres, city. state, zip code, phone number, school name, grade level, and the number of words in paper exclusive of Works Cited section.
            •  Page numbers are to be placed in the upper right hand corner at one-half inch from the top margin at the right margin; the student's name should not appear in the front of the page number
            •  Drawings, maps, charts, etc. are not to be included in the paper

2010 - 2011 Irish History Writing Contest Judging Criteria:

Each paper will be evaluated in these categories with a maximum number of points allocated for each category:

1.  Comprehension  (30 points)
2.  Organization  (20 points)
3.  Conclusion  (15 points)
4.  Creativity  (20 points)  and
5.  Writing  (15 points)

Please refer to Judging Criteria Sheet for assistance in learning how the judges will evaluate the student paper.  The suggested questions are not limiting criteria for the judges, but rather they are provided to assist the judge with minimum criteria to use when evaluating the student paper.  The student's title page will be removed and the paper will be given a number prior to be given to the judges, so the judges are able to evaluate each paper without prejudice.  All papers submitted to the judges to be evaluated are to be without any markings.  Student papers will be disqualified if there are any markings on the paper as it is evaluated.