How to Conduct an Essay Contest
It is fun organizing an essay contest. However, contests can at times result to lot of pressure. For them to succeed, essay contests needs uncomplicated and firm guidelines. This provides both the judges and the writer a clear idea of what they are looking for in the essay. In addition, the organizer should ensure that they plan everything and give all the conditions for the essay contest in terms of time, dates, prices involved. At iwriteessays.com, we have made essay contest easier by providing you with numerous tips on how to run an essay contest:
- Choose the fundamental guidelines. This is where you establish the theme, the required length, and the deadline. Clearly state the rules to enable students know exactly what the judges expect from the rules.
- Establish the person to be in the panel of judges. The teachers, students, administration staff member.
- Define the prizes to be won. You should make it clear what prizes that the writers will be competing for. This does not have to be money; you can also choose to include non-material rewards like coupons or gift cards. Whatever the price, make sure you follow through.
- Advertise the contest early and thoroughly. This gives the participants more time for preparation of their submission. The means of advertising includes the use of posters.
- Ensure that you encourage participation. Request all the teachers to incorporate the contest in their personal lesson plans through rewarding the students who participate on the essay contest.
- Ensure the use of technology. Make sure that students submit their essays through a digital means to minimize waste of time and enable the judges to access the essay easily.
- Ensure that you give your comment to each essay submitted to encourage those students that do not win receive some appreciation.
Things to avoid in an essay contest
- Lack of commitment on the part of the organizer to send a review for the entries received. Reward or no reward, the minimum that a contestant expects is a review from the organizer or judge.
- Another thing is too much rigidity on the subject matter. For example, an organizer might put a limit on the number of lines in a poem.