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The 2009 Freshman Reading Experience Essay Contest

The Freshman Reading Experience essay contest invites essays on Ned Vizzini’s novel, It’s Kind of a Funny Story. You may submit your essay on any aspect of It’s Kind of a Funny Story to one of two categories: one exclusively for first-year students, and the other open to any other current Murray State University student. In each category, judges will award a $350 prize for first place and a $150 prize for second place.

Students should submit a word-processed copy of their essay without any identifying information, along with a completed cover letter form, which will ask for essay title, student name, email address, current phone number, M number and academic level (freshman, sophomore, etc.).  There are no length requirements or restrictions for papers.

Winning essayists will be announced and honored during Scholars' Week. They will also be invited to present their papers during a Scholars' Week panel. Essays will be judged on overall style and content. Judges are particularly interested in original insights about It’s Kind of a Funny Story and clear, correct writing.

The deadline for submission is Friday, December 18, which will allow students who have submitted versions of these papers during fall classes to incorporate feedback, if they choose.  Submissions can be emailed to fre@murraystate.edu or mailed to Kelley Wezner, Department of English and Philosophy, 7-C Faculty Hall, Murray, KY 42071. 

Contest Rules:

  1. Entries must be submitted with the official cover letter form. Download and print the entry form.
  2. Students must complete and sign the entry form, which includes a stipulation that the essay is the student’s original work.
  3. Students may submit an essay to only one of the two categories.
  4. Contest judging is conducted anonymously. Personal information about the student must appear only on the cover letter form.
  5. Entries must be submitted by Friday, December 18, 2009. They will be accepted any time before the deadline.

 

For more information, contact fre@murraystate.edu or call 809-4532.