Common Read Essay Contest 2016
Common Read Essay 2015 Winner & Runner Up
2015 Common Read Essay Contest Winner is Elizabeth Kebler. Elizabeth wrote an impressive reflection on the challenges faced by incarcerated people in reentering their community after being released. Elizabeth won a $50 gift certificate to University Bookstore.
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2015 Common Read Essay Contest Runner Up is Austin Laskowsky. Austin won a $25 gift certificate to the University Bookstore for his compelling response to Just Mercy: A Story of Justice & Redemption by Bryan Stevenson.
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Students are given the opportunity each year to reflect on the themes and topics of the Common Read selection. In addition to contributing to the intellectual climate of Siena Heights, the essay winner will also receive public recognition and a $50 gift card to the University Bookstore.
The Prompt
Literature comes alive when readers make connections to the story. As you read My Orange Duffel Bag: A Journey to Radical Change, you may be thinking how different your life is from the characters and how you have nothing in common with the situations in the book. However, with more thought, you realize that many of the situations in the book are common to the human experience. For this essay, choose one of the following questions to reflect on and write about.
Possible questions to explore
The Rules
The Prompt
Literature comes alive when readers make connections to the story. As you read My Orange Duffel Bag: A Journey to Radical Change, you may be thinking how different your life is from the characters and how you have nothing in common with the situations in the book. However, with more thought, you realize that many of the situations in the book are common to the human experience. For this essay, choose one of the following questions to reflect on and write about.
Possible questions to explore
- One of the primary themes in My Orange Duffel Bag is when Sam talks about overcoming the roadblocks that he faced and how he overcame each situation. Think about situations in your life that might have prevented you from moving forward. How did you work to overcome your roadblock and what advice would you give to someone who may experience the same challenge?
- Sam asks that we consider our goals for each of the four areas he discusses in the book: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Think about what goals you want to accomplish in the next year as a Siena Heights student. Identify and explain your goals. Discuss the gaps that exist when addressing your goals. For more information refer to page 142 - 143.
The Rules
- All new incoming First Year undergraduate students are eligible to enter.
- Essays should be between 3-5 pages long, or approximately 750-1,250 words, typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point font.
- Direct quotations from My Orange Duffel Bag should be appropriately marked and cited, with page numbers in parentheses.
- The first page of the essay should include your name, phone number, and SHU email address. Please give your essay a title.
- Essays should be submitted electronically as an email attachment (either PDF or Word) to fye@sienaheights.edu.
- Essays must be received no later than Tuesday, August 23, 2016 @ 5 pm.