Rules

All Irish History Writing Contest entries must be double spaced and may be legibly hand written or typed, on one side of the paper only. Typeface may NOT exceed 12 point.

Each writing must have a separate cover sheet with:Contestant's Name, home address, and age, Contestant's School Name, School Address and Grade Level, Number of words in essay, exclusive of cover page, introduction and bibliography

Writing Guidelines: Be sure to submit writing. Do not simply list facts. Show that you know and understand your subject and give your opinion or interpretation. You may set the scene by giving facts then drawing your conclusion. This contest is intended to produce essays which show that students have researched, read about and understood the subject and formed their own opinions. The writing should not be just a recap of facts and others' opinions, comments or observations.

Be careful to stick to the topic.

Be sure to give the source credit if you quote someone else's work. Every time you borrow someone else's words, facts or ideas, you must DOCUMENT the source-that is give a reference telling readers that you borrowed the material and where you borrowed it from. Although this is not a research paper, information in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is a good reference tool for writing and citing sources. List only those sources that contribute to the development of your writing. Be sure NOT to use exact words from your sources without giving credit. If you do so, you are committing plagiarism.

Be sure to include a bibliography, or a list of sources on the information you used.

Drawings, maps, etc. should not be included in the Writings

All winners and non winners will receive certificates.

Essays will be judged by persons competent in the areas of English composition and Irish Culture who will fairly assess the originality of the presentation and knowledge of the subject matter as well.

This contest will be held in every state where the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians has an established Division.

For more information please email: cinders904@aol.com or http://www.ohio.aoh-laoh.com/