If you could use an extra $250 in your pocket, then consider entering the 9th annual P. Barry McAndrew Essay on Literature Contest.

This contest happens annually with the winner being announced and recieving their monetary prize, at the conclusion of the annual Literary Festival, hosted by the English Department each year.

The Mercyhurst University English department invites all undergraduate students from any and all majors to enter their own original essays for the best literary analysis based on works of fiction, poetry and drama.

Students should submit their original essays in MLA format with MLA citations.

All the essays should be double spaced.

Entries will be judged based on numerous categories with the focus on the originality of the essay’s ideas, the clarity of claims and the eloquence of the writer’s argument.

Essays should be a minimum of six pages and a maximum of 10 pages long.

All entries must be submitted electronically by either PDF or Microsoft Word document to msullivan@mercyhurst.edu.

All essays should be submitted no later than Monday, March 16, by 5:00 p.m.

The essay contest winner will be announced and awarded their cash prize of $250 during the annual Literary Festival on April 23 at 5:00 p.m. in the Taylor Little Theatre.

The Lumen literary journal will also be unveiled at this time.

If you have any questions, or would like more information on the contest and the guidelines or rules for the essays, then contact Dr. Sullivan at x3759 or msullivan@mercyhurst.edu.