1 post tagged “proofread”

Irish and I got to spend Sunday afternoon doing something kind of fun and unusual: we judged an essay contest.

Our Mensa chapter (and I think all Mensa chapters, as well as the regional and national organizations) gives out scholarship money, and every year there is an essay contest.  We set aside $4,000 for scholarships to be given out, but only advised that there was a top prize of $1,000.

After judging the (only) 16 essays we received, we determined a top prize winner.  That winner scored 274 out of a possible 300 points.  The second place winner, with 260 points, will receive $500.  No other prizes were awarded since the pool of applicants was so small, and the depth of essays was so shallow.

Some notes to future essay contestants:

• Read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter.  The second place finisher would have been closer in points to the first place finisher had he or she double spaced the essay.  The only reason the essay was even considered was because of the lack of entries.
• Proofread your copy.  Check for misspelled words and weird grammar choices.  Read it aloud, if you have to.  Errors become more apparent when spoken.
• Learn proper semicolon usage.  I cannot tell you the amount of people who would just randomly throw in a semicolon.  It was perplexing.
• After you proofread let someone else read it.  Not your grandma, or your little brother.  Choose a trusted friend with good grades in English, or a teacher or adviser.  This is imperative.
• Be sure to have a strong thesis statement.  Many of the essays we read were well written and grammatically correct, they just weren't clear in their statement.
• The opening is key.  Don't be cliche.  Really think about what you're writing.  One of the essays I judged started out "I have always believed that my future was very important."  Um, duh?  I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit when I read that.
• Enter! Enter! Enter!  Even if it's a small amount of money to the winner, every little bit helps.  The winner of our contest can do anything he or she wants with the money: buy books, pay tuition, have a big party, whatever.

It was fun.  The lady of the house where we judged the essays prepared an Italian feast and we all had a great time.  Plus, we gave out some cash to a couple of deserving students.