Barnes & Noble East Lansing Essay Contest

Submission Guidelines

1. REQUIRED TOPIC: Your essay must answer the following question:
"If you were one of the “book people” near the end of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and had to memorize a single book to save it from oblivion, what book would you choose and why?"
Essays that do not address this question will be disqualified.

2. LENGTH: Maximum length is 800 words.

3. DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Essays must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1. Late entries will be disqualified.

4. WHERE TO SUBMIT ESSAYS: Essays can be submitted via this web site or dropped off at Barnes & Noble East Lansing (333 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing); the MSU Library (West Circle Drive), or the East Lansing Public Library (950 Abbott Road, (517) 351-2420. Please put your essay in a manila envelope addressed to “Fahrenheit 451 essay contest.” Only one entry per person is allowed.

5. JUDGING: A three-member panel of judges will evaluate your essay for originality, strength of argument, and grammar. Your educational level will be taken into consideration. Your essay must be entirely your own work, without outside assistance of any kind. The judges’ decision is final.

6. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS: Winners will be announced on this web site on Friday, November 7, by 5:00 p.m.

7. PRIZES: First, second, and third prizes will be awarded. Barnes & Noble Electronic Gift Cards will be awarded in the amounts of $50 for first prize, $25 for second prize, and $15 for third prize.

8. PUBLICATION: Winning essays will be published on the “One Book” web site.

9. WINNERS WILL READ THEIR ESSAYS AT THE FAHRENHEIT 451 FINALE ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 7:00 P.M. AT BARNES & NOBLE EAST LANSING. By entering this contest, you agree to read your essay at this event if you are one of the three winners.

I have read these rules and agree to them. The work I am submitting is my own and no one else has helped me. If I am named one of the three winners, I agree to read my essay at the Fahrenheit 451 Finale on Friday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble East Lansing.