Call for Submissions: Jessie O'Kelly Student Essay Contest

The Program in Rhetoric and Composition invites students to submit to the Jessie O'Kelly Student Essay Award, which recognizes University of Arkansas undergraduate students for writing exemplary papers in first-year Composition courses during the 2023 calendar year.

The award's monetary prize is $500. Submissions are due April 30, 2024.

The criteria for submission:

• Student must be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, and plan to enroll for Fall 2024.
• Student must have been a freshman or sophomore when taking the Composition course.
• Student must have taken the Composition course in 2023, Spring, Summer, or Fall.
• Essays must have been written for a major assignment in Composition 1 or 2 (including ENGL 1033 Technical Composition 2), or Honors Composition 1 or 2.
• Essays must be at least three pages, be in a recognized document and citation format (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), incorporate outside sources, and demonstrate skills in originality, organization, argumentation, and language.
• Students should include their University ID number with each submission.
• Students may submit more than one essay.

Submit essays as an attachment to email at rhetcomp@uark.edu by noon on Tuesday, April 30. Essays will be judged by Program in Rhetoric and Composition teaching staff, who will select winners.

The Program in Rhetoric and Composition is proud to recognize outstanding student writing. Please contact LewEllyn Hallett at 479-575-2248 or lhallett@uark.edu if you have any questions.