TEXAS DIVISION UDC
7TH AND 8TH GRADE ESSAY CONTEST

2016 Topics

“My Life after the War Between the States”

You are male or female, young or old, veteran or not but the war is over and your South lost. How has your life changed? Consider in what part of Texas you live, country or city. You may be creative but you must be historically accurate.

~OR~

“My Days in West Texas During the War”

(You may change the location to North Texas or South Texas

but choose an area that did not see much of the fighting with the Union)

All of Texas was affected by the War Between the States but not all directly. Some areas were some distance from the fighting with the Union but had their own difficulties. Consider that you live in one of these areas and share how the war is affecting you and your family. This does require some creativity but be careful that you stay historically correct.

DEADLINE:March 4, 2016

Guidelines for Students:

LENGTH:

600 – 850 Words. Please place word count at end of composition.

Dates (November 30, 1864) and names (Robert E. Lee) shall be counted as one word.

Items not counted in word count are: title, cover sheet information and bibliography/reference.

COVER PAGES:

First Cover Page should be centered and include Essay Title and name of student and state whether Eighth or Seventh grade.

Second Cover Page should have Essay Title only, centered horizontally and vertically.

TYPED ESSAYS: (preferred)

Double-spaced on 8½” x 11” paper.

Times New Roman font size 12.

Pages numbered at the top in the center beginning with first page of the essay.

There are no specifics on margins.

Essays must be submitted in English.

HANDWRITTEN ESSAYS:

Double-spaced on 8½” by 11″ paper.

Essays must be submitted in English.

Writing must be legible.

References:

A minimum of three (3) references are required.

Only ONE (1) may be internet references.

Online textbooks are acceptable.

Wikipedia is not an acceptable internet source.

The essay must be in your OWN WORDS.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Books: Author last name, first name; Title of Book, Publisher, City of Publication, Date. Please note pages where information is located.

Internet: Author last name, first name; “Title of Article”, web page address.

Other: Author or editor name, Title. Source, Location of Source.

  1. Essays will be judged on interest, historical accuracy and research. Grammar, spelling, and legibility (if handwritten) will be considered.
  2. Participants and their families will be recognized at a meeting on May16, 2016 where the first place winner from each grade level will be asked to read their essay aloud.
  3. The top 6 essays from each gradewill be submitted to the essay contest at the State level.