Contested
Writing
First off, thanks to those of you who passed along your examples of
reworked lyrics or phrases. There are some wonderful turns that
students (and we) take with the language. For instance:
- That prestigious award for
excellence in the fields of journalism, music, literature, and
drama (given every Thanksgiving?):
Poulet Surprise.
- Bob Dylan’s famous line, “The
ants are my friends,” from “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
- The intentionally-reworked
parental version of the Rolling Stones’ “I’m so hot for you”: “I’m
so affable.”
- The meteorologist’s warning
about the “windshield factor” (no doubt for driving in
cold weather).
- And let's not forget
Houdini's numerous sartorial escapes from a "stray jacket."
Certainly there will be others
that show up in the papers soon to be submitted at the end of this
term. And again, these reworkings can be excellent teaching
opportunities, chances to engage students in conversations about
language and meaning making.
Now, having mentioned all those end-of-semester papers, I can segue
into the next section of this broadsheet, which is not so much an
argument or rumination as it is an announcement, an announcement
about a writing contest. Or rather, two contests. Next semester
both the President’s office and Phi Kappa Phi are sponsoring
writing awards. The President’s Writing Awards will reward
essays in a host of categories—from op-ed piece to personal essay
to business report—and the Phi Kappa Phi contest will select
exemplary essays from each of the seven colleges. In short, there
is a wealth of opportunity for student writers.
The contests are an excellent chance for students to take their
writing outside of the usual student-teacher sphere, and to receive
recognition beyond the classroom. Students often work extremely
hard on their essays and here is a chance to let that good work be
recognized by others. In addition, these contests can make students
even more invested in their writing as they revise and refine in
order to submit. Oftentimes, students and teachers can work
together in a conference and talk about how to take a paper to the
next level. It's a good learning experience for students, and a
chance for teachers to encourage and praise student writing.
So, if you’re reading student papers for this semester, please keep
the contests in mind, and be sure to nominate essays that you feel
are worthy of recognition. (And, if you’re a student who has
written an essay you feel could be submitted, then approach your
teacher about the possibility.) For the rest of this Word Works,
we want to give space to the contest announcements. Part of the
success of such endeavors is dependent on the publicity, and we
hope to help make these contests as widely known as possible.
________________________________________________________________
MM
2004
Wallace G. Kay - Phi Kappa Phi [Chapter
159]
Student Writing Competition for Undergraduates
The Boise State University
Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi announces the Wallace G. Kay - Phi Kappa
Phi annual student writing contest. Phi Kappa Phi is an
interdisciplinary honor society that promotes superior
scholarship. In this spirit we wish to solicit submissions of
outstanding student papers written for any Boise State University
course completed in the spring, summer or fall semester of 2003.
Winners will be selected from each College.
Papers must be of superior
quality in all respects and formatted in a style commonly found
among scholarly journals in the
disciplines represented by each College. Submissions (including
notes, appendices and bibliography) may not exceed 15 pages. Only
the title page should contain the student’s name. Papers will be
judged on the elements of good writing: content, organization,
grammar, spelling, readability, flow, originality, and
creativity. Students may initiate the process, but a Faculty
Nomination Form must accompany papers. Membership in Phi Kappa
Phi is not a criterion for either faculty nominating student
papers or for students.
To enter the competition,
complete the nomination form that appears with this announcement
and submit five (5) copies of the paper to the College faculty
representative listed on the form. A panel of faculty evaluators
within each College will select the College-wide winner.
Deadline for submission is January 30, 2004. Winners will be
notified by the end of March and recognized during the Phi Kappa
Phi initiation ceremony on Tuesday, April 13, 2004.
* IN
RECOGNITION *
Professor Wallace G. Kay's professional life was
devoted to the pursuit of academic excellence. Soon after
receiving his Ph.D. from Emory University, he was instrumental in
establishing the Honors College at the University of Southern
Mississippi where he served as Dean from 1977 to 1985. In 1986 he
came to Boise State University as Assistant Director of the Honors
Program and English professor, later becoming Associate Director of
Honors, and served in those capacities until his death in September
1996. Professor Kay was honored three times by Top Ten Scholars as
"Most Influential Professor." He was a gifted poet and scholar, and
his contributions and influence at Boise State University will be
long remembered.
FACULTY NOMINATION FORM
________________________________________________________________
PRESIDENT’S WRITING
AWARDS 2004
Categories
Two prizes
will be awarded in each category: first prize, $130; second prize,
$60. All contest categories are open to all currently enrolled Boise
State students. Entries in English and open categories must be
sponsored by a teacher; entries in Spanish categories may be
submitted directly by the student.
PERSONAL ESSAY
Submissions in this category should be
first person accounts that explore the writer’s experiences or
observations with honesty and insight. Up to 3000 words.
OP/ED
Submissions in this category should adhere to the format of the
short, opinion-based essay (500-750 words) about a matter of public
or general interest. May have a personal focus.
RESEARCH-BASED
A
research-based, documented article or essay, open genre and topic.
Up to 3000 words.
COLLABORATIVE WRITING
Many
writing situations call for two or more writers to combine their
ideas and voices in a single written piece. This category recognizes
and celebrates such collaboration. Submissions (open genre and topic)
may be up to 3,000 words, and each should include a short cover
letter that explains the collaborative process and maintains the
anonymity of the authors.
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
Submissions should
consist of a report, proposal, or any other form common to the
workplace that clearly communicates its message for any specific
audience and purpose.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Any writing project that analyzes a
business case, financial problem, marketing issue, or similar
business issue. The length should be from 5 to 20 pages, and must
include a one-page executive summary.
SPANISH
RESEARCH PAPER
Submissions in this category must be a 5-page or longer
formal academic research paper. Written in Spanish, including MLA
documentation.
CREATIVE
Either a 2-3 page personal essay or any sort of creative writing in
Spanish: short story, poem, etc. If submitting poetry, a minimum
of two poems is required.
Eligibility
Essays prepared for
coursework are eligible, but previously published essays are not. A
student may enter only one category and may submit no more than one
entry to that category.
Manuscript Submission
Electronic
We encourage you to
consider electronic submission. Submit your manuscript in Word as an
e-mail attachment to
sgropp@boisestate.edu. Your message should include your name,
address, phone number, student number, and contest category; your
name should not appear on the attachment. The submission deadline
(see below) applies for both electronic and paper submissions.
Traditional
Manuscript should be typed
and double-spaced; also include a 3.5” disk containing the piece.
Submit in an envelope listing author’s name, address, phone number,
student number, and contest category. Author’s name should not appear
on the manuscript. Manuscripts will not be returned. For more
information, see
http://english.boisestate.edu/writing/
Inquiries and manuscripts should be submitted in person to Sherry
Gropp in LA 256 or mailed to Sherry Gropp, English Department, MS
1525, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS 5
P.M. ON MARCH 19, 2004.
Word
Works