Forms

Coordinator

Rhonda Blythe

2762 Derby
San Ramon, CA 94583
510-381-7695
teacherrrb@aol.com

Purpose

Written communication has always been an important means of teaching and admonishing Christians. Since the time inspired authors gave instruction until the modern journals and publications of today, clear ideas presented skillfully have made lasting impressions on the hearts and minds of those who wish to learn the meaning of God's will. This event challenges individuals to use the written word to communicate God's message. Their writing content, style, and message should reflect a respect for the importance and value of communicating God's message in written form.

Process

Each participant will:

  • Write an article reflecting some aspect of the current year's LTC theme.
  • Make the essay length 250-500 words.
  • Mail four copies of the essay and one cover sheet to the Event Coordinator on or before March 12, 2010.

The Event Coordinator will:

  • Send a confirmation of receipt of essay to the Church Coordinator.
  • Fill out top portion of judging forms with name, grade, and congregation of participant.
  • Organize the essays for judging.
  • Provide a Judge's Score Sheet for each essay for the three Judges.
  • Compile judging sheets and assign award category G, S, B, P.
  • Mail all judging sheets, comment sheets, a copy of each essay with its cover sheet, and award recommendations to the Pre-Convention Coordinator March 22, 2010.
  • Essays will be displayed at the Convention.

Rules

  • The essay length is to be 250 to 500 words. Essays over or under this amount will receive a 5-point penalty for every 25-word infringement of the length rule.
  • In the beginning of the paper, the current year's LTC theme should be introduced. The thesis statement should be clearly stated and supported by three to five points in the body of the paper. The essay should be ended by reaching a reasonable conclusion sustained by the previous points.
  • The essay must be typewritten, double-spaced. For students sixth grade or younger, handwritten work is admissible. It must be, in the minds of the judges, legible and neatly presented.
  • The essay must contain no identifying marks (see Submission of Essays, paragraph below), but should start with the title and be followed by the text.
  • Copies of an oratory speech will not be accepted as an essay.
  • Adult assistance should be limited to discussing the theme and its application to today's lifestyles.
  • Paperclip one cover sheet to the four copies of the essay. The format for the cover sheet is under “Submission of Essays” below.
  • There are five grade categories for the event:
    Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6, Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10, Grades 11-12
  • Each higher-grade category should demonstrate more effective use of the written word.
  • Penalty will be taken if word limit is exceeded or not reached and may result in a change of the award.

Submission of Essays

  • One typed cover sheet should be in the following format:
    • Name
    • Grade
    • Congregation
    • Congregation Address
    • Congregation Phone Number
    • Name of Church Coordinator
    • Church Coordinator Email Address
    • Title of Composition
  • Essays are to be sent to the Christian Essay Coordinator at the address at the top of these instructions. Essays are to be postmarked by March 12, 2010.
  • Essays may be sent via email to the coordinator.
  • All materials that are submitted for judging become the property of LTC. It is understood that LTC reserves the right to use materials for promotion, instruction, or any other manner deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

Awards

  • There will be three Judges. Comment sheets will be provided for each participant in the Take Home Packet. An award rating will be assigned based upon the three Judges scores on a 5 point scale:
    5 = Excellent, 4 = Good, 3 = Average, 2 = Below Average, 1 = Needs work
  • Participants will be assigned a Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Participation Rating based upon the judges scores and will receive an appropriate-colored engraved plate for the individual's award plaque.