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ROTARY DISTRICT 5220

FOUR-WAY TEST ESSAY CONTEST

ROTARY YEAR 2006-07

INTRODUCTION       Rotary clubs around the world urge their members to follow and promote four simple guidelines that measure the ethical standard of the things that people do and say.  These guidelines are known as THE ROTARY FOUR-WAY TEST OF THE THINGS WE THINK, SAY OR DO.  The test consists of answering these questions:

1. IS IT THE TRUTH?

2. IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED?

3. WILL IT BUILD GOOD WILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?

These guidelines were originally set down during the great depression.  Times have changed in the last 70 years and the modern world seems far different than it was.  It might be time to ask ourselves if the ROTARY FOUR-WAY TEST even means anything in today’s society.

So in an effort to stimulate thought about modern ethical standards, Rotary District 5220 is having an essay contest.  THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO LET THE WORLD KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW WE ALL SHOULD TREAT OTHERS.

TOPICS:

Select ONE of the following two topics –

1. The Rotary Four-Way Test applies to the 21^st Century because…

OR

2. The Rotary Four-Way Test does not apply to the 21^st Century                                                                      because…

DIVISIONS:

Entrants will be divided into three categories –

1.                  Junior High Students

2.                  High School Students

3.                  Adults and College Students

AWARDS:

The following prizes will be awarded –

            $50 for the best essay in each category

                                                AND

            $100 for the best essay overall

CONTEST REGULATIONS:

All essays must comply with the following contest rules before submission –

•  No literary form other than an essay will be accepted.

• Each essay must reflect the contestant’s own research, writing and original thinking.

• Only one (1) essay may be submitted by each contestant.

• Student entrants may be asked to verify their enrollment and grade level.

• Essays should be typed.

• The text of the essay should encompass about three (3) double-spaced, single-sided, numbered pages with one-inch margins.  The title page is not included in the three pages.

• The title of the essay, but NOT the author’s name, MUST appear on the top of the first page of the essay text.

• Each essay must include a title page, not considered text, with the following information:

•         Essay Title

•         Author’s Name, Address and Telephone Number

•         School Name and Address (If applicable).

SUBMISSION:

Send two (2) copies of the essay to –

            Richard Wyatt, DGE

            Rotary District 5220

Entries MUST be postmarked on or before February 15, 2007. 

Results will be announced on or before April 1, 2007.

JUDGING AND SCORING:

The entries will be judged by a panel of at least 4 thoughtful and well-educated Rotarians.

Essay scoring will be based on the following five criteria –

• Comprehension (1 – 20 points)  How well does the essay reflect a thorough comprehension of the issues involved in the essay topic?

• Organization (1 – 20 points)  Does the argument follow a logical and easily understood progression?  Does corroborating evidence support the essay’s main points?

• Conclusions (1 – 20 points)  Do the conclusions follow logically from the argument?  How compelling are the conclusions?

• Creativity (1 – 20 points)  Use of diverse means of approaching the subject.  Creative ways of looking at the issues.

• Writing (1 – 20 points)  Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and concise language will count and so will style.

GET A PDF COPY OF THE CONTEST INFORMATION