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Essay Contest

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  2. Beyond the Screen
  3. Essay Contest

Essay Contest Overview

In The Martian, astronaut Mark Watney finds himself stranded on Mars. As he awaits rescue, he encounters a series of challenges and even disasters that threaten his life, but he comes up with creative solutions and perseveres. In a 500 to 600-word essay, describe a time you felt like you were on your own and had to solve an important problem. Provide a narrative of your experience.  

Format: The essay must be typed and have a creative title specific to the topic of your paper. The essay also must have clear paragraph designations. A submission that appears as one long paragraph will be disqualified. Using a formatting style like MLA or APA is recommended but not required.  

Contest Rules:  

  • Attach a cover sheet to the essay that includes your name, FSCJ email address and phone number. 
  • Contest is open to FSCJ students only. 
  • By entering this contest, you consent to having your entry displayed in FSCJ galleries. 
  • Submission deadline is February 16th by midnight. Winners will be announced on March 1st at the showing of the movie at South Campus. 
  • Only one entry per student will be accepted. 
  • Essays will be judged by a panel of FSCJ faculty and staff. 

Judging Criteria:  

  • 50% on addressing the theme's message 
  • 30% well-developed paragraphs and clear language 
  • 20% on originality 

The essay should be organized with well-developed body paragraphs that highlight the subject's abilities and also contain minimal errors in the area of grammar, punctuation and mechanics. 

Submission Deadline: February 16th 2023 by midnight. Upload your essay to this link: Submit Essay Here (Links to an external site.) 

Prizes: First Place $300; Second Place: $200; Third Place: $150 

For questions, email Dr. Antee at a.antee@fscj.edu 

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Florida State College at Jacksonville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Florida State College at Jacksonville also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Florida State College at Jacksonville may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). Florida State College at Jacksonville does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, disability, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, sex, sexual orientation/expression, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy or genetic information in its programs, activities and employment. For more information, visit the Office of Civil Rights Compliance page.

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