Monday, August 16, 2010

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest 2010



The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is an opportunity for students to compete for 49 prizes ranging in size from $50 to $10,000.  The contest is open to high school seniors and college students (undergraduates and graduate students). To enter students must write an essay of 800-1,600 words on one of three topics related to Ayn Rand's novel, "Atlas Shrugged." Essays are judged based on style and content.

The three topic options for this year are:


  1. "According to John Galt, selfishness is both moral and practical. Explain what he means by this and how events of the story illustrate and dramatize his point.

  2. Explain the meaning and wider significance of the following quote: “The words ‘to make money’ hold the essence of human morality.” According to the story of Atlas Shrugged, what ideas underlie the opposing maxims that “money is the root of all evil” and that “money is the root of all good”?

  3. Capitalism’s defenders usually appeal to the “public good.” Contrast their approach to capitalism to Ayn Rand’s approach in Atlas Shrugged."



The deadline to enter is September 17, 2010.  Students can find more complete information and enter their essays online at:

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

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