Writing Contest Guidelines

The HEC International Writing Contest is designed to encourage students to write, with excellence, their own essays and stories.

Eligibility:

• Open to ALL Christian Home Schooled Students…everywhere in the world…currently being home schooled for elementary or high school years!
• Contest deadline: All entries must be postmarked by Friday, December 1, 2006

Submission Requirements:

• Essays must be in the English language and not more than 1,500 words in length.
• A parent signed Entry Form and Entry Fee [$10. per family to HEC] must accompany all entries. [Download from writing contest page]
• By submitting your Essay you are affirming that your essay is your original composition.
• By submitting your Essay you are affirming that you are giving your permission for your winning Essay to be posted on the HEC website for others to read and enjoy.
• The text of your essay should be double-spaced and typed using 11 or 12-point font on
  8 ½ by 11-inch paper. The pages should have one-inch margins and be numbered. Each copy should be stapled.
• Remember you must develop a clear thesis and support it from your observations or your reading with quotations, paraphrase or summary that is appropriate and convincing.
• Develop your introduction and conclusion with care. Your introduction should include the thesis statement and a general idea of the scope of your discussion.
• Carefully organize and arrange your material so your ideas are presented in logical order.
• When appropriate, include standardized citations and a bibliography.
• Mail to: HEC Writing Contest, P. O. Box 2137, Fallbrook, CA 92088-2137

Disqualification:

• If your essay is not on the topic or properly cited.
• If Essay is not accompanied with a parent signed Entry Form and Entry Fee.
• If it is postmarked after the deadline of December 1, 2006
• If it is plagiarized – uses someone else’s ideas as your own

Judging:

• Winners are selected from qualified entries by a panel of no less than 3 experts in English writing and composition.
• Essays will be evaluated overall for: Organization, Analysis & Conclusions, Originality, and Style & Mechanics.
• Winners will be notified within 30 days of contest deadline and prizes awarded.

All submissions remain the property of HEC and will not be returned.