The Maryland Society, Sons of the American Revolution
George S. and Stella M. Knight Essay Contest

2012-2013 CONTEST RULES

1. This contest is open to all students who are United States Citizens or legal aliens.  Contestants shall be attending public, parochial, or private high schools (including accredited home schools).  Contestants shall be in the sophomore, junior, or senior grade of study during the contest year.  The contest is conducted in three phases: local (Chapter), state (State Society) and National.  The contest must be entered through a Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution near the student’s residence.  In some cases, the contest may be entered at the State level (if a local chapter is not participating).  Only one entry per student is permitted per contest year.

2. The contest is for an original researched and proven topic written in English.  The topic of the essay shall deal with: an event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United State Constitution.  Students must source at least five (5) references with the minimum of three being published book sources to allow for verification of sources if necessary.  References from Encyclopedias or Internet sites will be accepted, but are not considered as part of the three published book sources.  If there are no book sources (i.e. all are from encyclopedias or internet sources) the essay will be disqualified.

3. The essay must have four parts: A) title page, B) essay pages, C) bibliography (works cited), and D) contestant’s biography.  The title page, bibliography and contestant’s biography must be listed on separate pages and no reference to the contestant’s name or information can be part of the Essay pages or Bibliography.  Please follow these rules exactly. Essays that do not conform to the rules may be immediately disqualified.

A)    The title page must include the title of the essay, contestant’s name, address, telephone member, and email address (if available).  In addition, the title page must include the name, address, and telephone number of the high school in which the contestant is enrolled, and the contestant’s grade level.
B)    The essay must have a minimum of 800 words and not exceed 1,200 words (excluding title page, footnotes, bibliography page, and biography page).  (Word counts based on a word processor are acceptable.)  The First page of the Essay must include the title of the essay.  (No contestant information must appear on these pages as they are separated and distributed to the judges for grading to prevent possible grading bias.)  The essay must be typed double-spaced on white bond paper. No bindings or special covers are needed.  Graphics are not permitted.  An original copy of the essay must be submitted.  Poor quality copies will not be accepted.  Plagiarism will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
C)    The essay and bibliography must be documented in accordance with the Modern Language Association publication, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (see www.mla.org) or Kate L. Turabian’s publication, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (see www.bridgew.edu/Library/turabian.cfm)
D)    The contestant’s biography is limited to one page.  Topics to be included in the biography are academic awards and achievements, school activities, community activities, and plans for college.

4.  All essays for the Maryland contest must be submitted (postmarked) by December 31, 2012.

5.  Essays which meet the Rules will be accepted and judged equally on the
following:

1. Historical accuracy
2. Clarity of thought
3. Organization and proven topic
4. Grammar and spelling
5. Documentation.

6.  AWARDS:       

• First Place: $2,000; a winning recognition certificate and medal; airfare and one night hotel stay for the winner and a chaperone at the SAR Annual Congress (in Kansas City, KS in July 2013). The winning essay of the national contest will be submitted for publication in the SAR Magazine and on the NSSAR Knight Essay Contest webpage.  Winning essay participants, on all levels, must supply a social security number or alien identification/green card number in order to receive their award. The first place National winner is prohibited from participating in following years’ contests.                    
• Second Place:  $1,000
• Third Place:  $500

• First Place: $250.00; with the winning essay printed in the MDSSAR Yearbook.
• Second Place: $150.00
  
• Third Place: $100.00

knight-essaymarylandsar [dot] org

Click here To see a list of Previous Winners and their Essays.

For information on the National Contest visit the National Society Webpage