Essay Contest – Atlas Shrugged

Ayn Rand’s novels are inspiring and intellectually challenging. But they can also be financially rewarding for high school and college students. The Ayn Rand Institute sponsors annual essay contests that offer 600 prizes and $100,000 in prize money every year.

ESSAY QUICK FACTS:

• Eligibility: 12th Graders, College Undergraduates, and Graduate Students
• Entry Deadline: September 17, 2012
• Website Link: Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

CASH AWARDS:

• First prize is $10,000
• 3 Second place prizes of $2,000
• 5 Third place prized of $1,000
• 25 Finalist prizes of $100
• 50 Semifinalist prizes of $50

ESSAY TOPICS:

1. What do you think Eddie Willers’ role is in the story? How does he help convey the novel’s theme? Why do you think his fate is left open in the last chapter?
2. Why does John Galt go on strike when the Starnes heirs take over the Twentieth Century Motor Company? Do you think he is right or wrong to start a strike? Explain.
3. Choose the scene in Atlas Shrugged that is most meaningful to you. Analyze that scene in terms of the wider themes in the book.

CONTEST RULES:

• No application is required. The Contest is open to students worldwide, except where void or prohibited by law.
• Essay must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length, and double-spaced.
• Winners, finalists, semifinalists and all other participants will be notified via e-mail by November 28, 2012.
• For a complete list of rules and to submit your essay online visit the Ayn Rand essay contest page.

Source: Ayn Rand Novels