English Department Essay Contests

Each year the ONU Department of English sponsors five writing contests. Students in an English course may submit one essay from that course to the appropriate contests. Students taking multiple English courses may submit multiple essays. Awards will be presented at the English department program on Honors Day.

The Freshman English Research Essay Award

(100 level)

Any student may submit a research paper that was written for English 105, 110 or 111.

Prize: $100

The Byron Hawbecker Award for Writing

(200 level)

Any student who is not an English major or minor may submit an essay written for any 200 level English course. The paper should be a minimum of 750 words. Topics and genres are open.

Prize: $200

The English Department Essay Award

(200 level)

English majors and minors may submit an essay written for any 200-level English course. The paper should be a minimum of 750 words. Topics and genres are open.

Prize: $200

The Frances Spurney-C.H. Freeman Essay Award

(300/400 level)

Any student may submit an essay written for any upper-division English course, excluding the senior essay sequence.

Prize: $300