Montclair Book Essay Contest 2015

All Montclair State University undergraduate students, enrolled in the Fall 2014 or Spring 2015 semester, are invited to participate in this year’s Montclair Book Essay Contest.

The Montclair Book of 2014-2015: Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much

Each year, a faculty advisory committee selects a book to be read by all incoming first-year students. For the 2014-15 academic year, the Montclair Book Faculty Advisory Committee chose Scarcity, by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir.

About The Essay Contest

Please read the contest requirements and guidelines below:

Essay Prompt

Examine a problem or issue in your local, social, or global community that appeared to be caused by a lack of resources, what the authors of this year’s Montclair Book have called “scarcity.” Is the root cause indeed scarcity or something else? Explain your analysis of the situation and your proposed solution, including the resources that could change the outcome. Your essay should also make specific references to passages in Scarcity that support your conclusions.

Requirement and Guidelines

• Length: Between 1,000-1,500 words
• Format: Double space and use a 12-point font
• Submission:  Entries must include a separate title page with your name, essay title, and contact information: phone number, email address, and mailing address.

Evaluation Criteria

Each essay will be judged based on the extent and effectiveness with which it:

• Engages audience
• Communicates an argument effectively
• Uses persuasive evidence
• Exemplifies excellence in writing

Eligible Contestants

Open to all undergraduates enrolled at Montclair State University during the Fall 2014 or Spring 2015 semester

Prizes

• One (1) winner will receive $100
• Two (2) runner ups will receive $25 each

Submission

• Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2015
• How to Submit:  Send an electronic copy to cwe@montclair.edu and in the subject line enter “Montclair Book Essay Contest.”  In the email message, indicate the college or school in which you enrolled, the degree for which you are a candidate, and when you expect to graduate.  If you have not yet declared a major, please indicate that as well. Entries must include a separate title page with your name, essay title, and contact information: phone number, email address, and mailing address. Entries without these requirements will not be accepted.