Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest by Ayn Rand Institute [Free; Prizes Worth Rs. 25L+]: Submit by September 20

The Ayn Rand Institute’s Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest offers a unique platform for students to engage deeply with literature and philosophy. The deadline is September 20, 2024.

What is Atlas Shrugged?

The astounding story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world—and did.

Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is unlike any other book you have ever read. It is a mystery story, not about the murder of a man’s body, but about the murder—and rebirth—of man’s spirit.

About the Contest

For nearly four decades, the Ayn Rand Institute has hosted annual student essay contests on Ayn Rand’s novels. These contests encourage students to seriously engage with Rand’s ideas through reflection on her profound and influential novels. Students who participate will need to read the book they have selected carefully, grapple with its complex themes, and push the boundaries of their writing ability. By doing so, we hope students will achieve a deeper appreciation for Rand’s literary works and develop a curiosity for the philosophy that underlies them.

Prompt

Robert Stadler is a brilliant scientist, but also one of the chief villains in the novel. What motivates his major decisions over the course of the story, and in particular, his hostility to Galt? How do these decisions and the way he meets his end relate to the theme of the novel, and why would the author have chosen a brilliant scientist as one of the villains to convey her theme?

Eligibility

The contest is open to middle and high school students worldwide, aged 13 and older. Students can enter by submitting an essay based on the provided prompt related to Ayn Rand’s novel, “The Atlas Shrugged.”

Steps of Participation

• Read an Ayn Rand novel: Select the book according to your level of education, and begin reading. Pay attention to the themes and character motivations, and be thinking about how you might answer the essay topic questions.
• Write an essay on the book: As you start to write, be thinking about how to answer the essay question you have chosen to write on. Be sure to give yourself enough time to construct a coherent outline, find supporting evidence, and revise your draft a couple times.
• Submit for grading: Submit your essay online using ARI’s application portal. Be sure to check that the information you provide in your application is correct, and that your essay satisfies our requirements.
• Wait for the results: Grading for all submissions begins once the deadline has passed. Essays go through three separate grading stages, and the final results are announced approximately three to four months after the entry deadline.

Judgement Criteria

• Clarity
• Organisation
• Understanding

Contest Guidelines

• The participation is Free.
• Each entry round features a unique topic designed to provoke a deeper understanding of the book’s central themes and characters.
• Essays must be written in English only and between 800 and 1,600 words in length, double-spaced.

Timeline

• Application Window Opens for Fall Prompt: June 28, 2024
• Entry Deadline for Fall Prompt: September 20, 2024
• Grading Begins for Fall Prompt: September 27, 2024
• Results Announced for Fall Prompt: December 6, 2024

Prizes

• The total prize amount is worth Rs. 25L+ / $31000.
• The top three essays from each season will be awarded a cash prize. The first-place essay from each season will advance to compete for the annual grand prize.
• Grand Prize: Rs. 20L+ / $25k.
• 1st Prize: Rs. 2.5L+ / $3000
• 2nd Prize: Rs. 1.6L+ / $2000
• 3rd Prize: Rs. 83k+ / $1000

How to Register?

Interested participants can register through this link.

Deadline

The deadline for submission is September 20, 2024.

Click here for the official notification of the Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest.

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