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We've all encountered them- contests that ask entrants to describe their views 'in fifty words or less', or declare exactly why they deserve to win a lifetime supply of detergent or the rights to a pizza shop. Some contests are free to enter, while others require a cash entry fee or proof of purchase. Regardless of the specifics involved, all of these contests boil down to one critical moment- how well can you write under pressure?
Here are some tips for those who wish to enter such essay contests. The prizes in these contests may be substantial indeed, so you'll want to make sure that your entry is as good as it can possibly be.
1. Make sure you understand each and every rule completely, and follow them to the letter. The rules of any writing contest should be posted somewhere- on the company's website, the side of the package, on the entry form itself, etc. These rules are vital, because one of the first cuts the judges will make is based on adherence to the prescribed procedure. Make sure you know exactly where to send your entry, what forms you must include, and the exact nature of the essay question. No matter how good your entry is, failure to follow the rules will eliminate it, period. If you are unsure of a specific requirement, check for a contact number or other way to get clarification. If you have any doubts concerning entry procedure, hold off until you have ALL the information you need.
2. Remember thy topic and thy word limits, for they are sacred. When the contest says 'Fifty words or less', it means fifty words or less. If the question is 'How did Corn Flakes save your life?', your answer had better be about Corn Flakes and how they saved your life. Judges will count words, and most will be judging your entry according to relevance to the question. In other words, your essay should be written from a 'true believer's' standpoint- you honestly feel this strong wave of emotion whenever someone asks you about detergent, or whatever the prize happens to be. Since you only have a few words in which to convey your sincerity, they need to be powerful and focused. 'I have been using Sparko laundry detergent since I was a child, and no other soap in America can beat it for powerful cleaning and ultra-fresh scent. I don't know where I would be without my box of economical and environmentally safe Sparko. It makes 'laundry day' a sheer pleasure and joy.' Yes, it sounds like a commercial, but wouldn't you love to read such an entry if you were president of Sparko, Inc.? You want to WIN this thing, don't you? So what if you have to sound like an unpaid spokesman to do it? With these sorts of essay contests, it's alright to go a little overboard with the praise, as long as you don't become nauseating.
3. With severe word limits, adjectives are your best friend. If you only have 200 words or less to convince some judge that you deserve to win, every word must carry its weight. From a writing standpoint, this means lots of strong adjectives and descriptions. Consider this example entry for a second: 'I would really enjoy owning a pizza place. My dad has always wanted to run his own restaurant, and this would be a nice gift for him.' Pretty bland, huh? If you were trying to decide which of 100 entrants to give your shop to, would you be moved by this entry? Consider the same basic entry, with some modifications: 'Ever since I was a young boy growing up in the Italian section of my Midwestern town, I have always had a fascination with the neighborhood pizza place. All those wonderful aromas- fresh bread baking in the ovens, the sweet smell of oregano, the intoxicating olive oil. I would consider it an honor to be judged worthy of your well-respected establishment. My hard-working father has always dreamed of running his own business, and this rare opportunity to see his dreams come to life prompted me to respond to your contest'. Same basic premise as the first entry, but now you can sense the joy that winning this contest would bring to the entrant. Use strong adjectives to convey strong meaning behind your words.
4. Don't stop at one entry. Some essay contests have no limits on the number of entries an individual may send, as long as the entries are significantly different. If you really want to improve your chances of winning such a contest, take advantage of this loophole. Many people stop after one entry, which reduces their chances of winning considerably. It's not really all that difficult to change your angle on most subjects, and you'll be increasing your chances to win in the bargain. The 'pizza shop' entry mentioned in #3 could very easily be changed to reflect the entrant's love for the area surrounding the pizza shop, or his desire to change careers. If a contest asks for one element, think of ten. Brainstorm usable ideas and angles before settling on at least three or four actual entries. Avoid overkill, however, because you may be competing against yourself if you have too many entries in one contest.
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