Question

Hello QuestionCove users! Shadow, QC moderator here.

I am here to present an idea that I proposed in the QC Team Discord and made its way up the proper channels.

Something that I have been looking to do for a long time, is a way for us as a community to discuss relevant and intellectual topics, and by bettering the views of each other through respectful discourse, but by improving our own ability to formulate arguments and critically think as well.

This has taken form in what I hope will become a staple to the QC community, which is a monthly essay contest!

The winner gets a month of subscription to QC, which includes access to the Team Discord (current subscribers were able to share their thoughts on this idea before it hit the public), and much more!

If you doubt your writing ability, have no fear. This contest is merely a way to promote intellectual discussion and again, improve your own writing. ALL who submit an essay by the end of the month will be entered into a raffle for the subscription, with an equal chance of obtaining it. However, in order to encourage effort, extra credit (which increases your individual chance of winning the subscription) will be awarded based on merit.

Answer 1

The topics will be chosen by the QC Team. Subscribers will not have advance notice to the topic as to maintain fairness. Here is the breakdown of what we are specifically looking for:

-2 pages (+1 for overflow)
-12pt font (I don’t care what font, just don’t be silly)
-Double spaced
-MLA Format (work cited, in text citations, the whole jazz)
This one may be scary but again, you will only EARN points for following the format and will not be deducted. See this as a way of preparing for college/higher learning, as you will need to know this format as there are many essays. I am thinking of releasing an example paper in conjunction with our local English major, @EclipsedStar to ease any concerns.
-Effort
-Did you follow the prompt?
Plagiarism will bar you from the contest permanently. Low effort papers will be penalized and disregarded. If we see a true effort to form an argument and support it with evidence, you will have a chance to win the QC subscription!

A couple things to note:
I am the sole sponsor of this contest, and I plan on maintaining it at one subscription per month. However, if you wish to co-sponsor alongside with me, we can have two or more winners. With this mobility, there can be the inclusion of a best essay category, as to further encourage effort. Since there’s only one to giveaway now, each month, I will stick to giving the majority of people an opportunity as to not let a dominant writer take hold.

Adding onto that, for the EC portion of the grading, there will be a legacy effect in play. Not only will you have a better chance of winning that specific month’s subscription giveaway, but for following months as well.

Some of the semantics of this contest is subject to change. Feel free to provide comments and critiques below. You will have about a month to write two pages (double spaced), which I think is about fair. We are a plethora of the community to participate (but if that happens, awesome!) yet we intend on building this into a contest that will always be around.

Thank you for reading and please leave your thoughts below.

Answer 2

You're not a QC moderator. e.e

Answer 3

K, so when does this start?

Answer 4

Reason being i am interested in this, and i like to write. I understand you'll be making the topics, but i just want to know when this one starts.

Answer 5

ESSAYS ARE ME THING , FINALLY SOMETHING I CAN DO. I'm curious as to what this essay may be about but excited e.e it's a great idea

Answer 6

If you guys like it, I can draft one for this month this weekend.

Answer 7

like how howie and I should be mods?

Answer 8

Ben, not the time or place. XD

Answer 9

I mean I would release the topic tomorrow, just be prepared to adjust for new criteria if we change elements.

Answer 10

I am interested, for sure. I just want to know when it would start and how long we have for it.

Answer 11

I shall be prepared ಠ_ಠ

Answer 12

Same.

Answer 13

Since we're about half way into this month, I could release the topic now and the due date would be the last Saturday of this month. This is subject to change but seems fair (over a week). The topic I have in mind is fairly simple as well.

Answer 14

Which would be the 26th

Answer 15

How can i be a co-sponser?

Answer 16

I would suggest giving this a few days for people to see this post, and then release it. Just a suggestion. xD

Answer 17

This gives us time to grade for the extra credit, as we have no conception of the # of entries we will be getting.

Answer 18

Maybe starting next Monday? I know i won't be available here tomorrow..

Answer 19

But i surely want to do this. xD

Answer 20

You beat me to it Howie!

Answer 21

We'll give the weekend for people to see this, and if you guys like it, we can release this months topic on Monday (21st).

Answer 22

Sounds awesome. I love writing anytime. Thanks, Shadow. xD

Answer 23

@silvernight269 I haven't discussed that with Jay yet, but we'd likely ask you to purchase a subscription then we'd attribute it to the winner once we finished grading.

Answer 24

ಠ_ಠ I shall take away howie howies brain cells and win mwahaha, may de best qc peep win

Answer 25

:,)

Answer 26

@563blackghost @Mehek @nuts @AP @YoursTruly @JustSaiyan

Answer 27

@Razor

Answer 28

I see it now XD

Answer 29

I said I might sponsor a few challenges here and there but there is a problem in the future, if many people have subs would it devalue the sub itself? We barely have people online so not many will take advantage of this

It could turn out differently but as of now, not many subs are online despite actually paying for them

(& I wonder if we get a point where we get no contestants)

Answer 30

I'm unlikely to participate. As fun as it sounds, I already have requirements to fulfill with my own school, and I feel as though giving myself more requirements here would greatly affect my school performance. I already spend too much time here. :| Maybe on summer vacation I'll do one (or depending on the topic. Since this is in fact QC, all the stuff I'd be motivated to write a 2 page essay on are probably out, as they incite too much conflict)

Answer 31

@kittynicole

Answer 32

I'm not the best at writing Essays but i'll try

Answer 33

@dude As of now I am only doing one sub per month. That is one additional subscriber at any given point. With sponsors, there with be the +1 variability (in some months) of one more additional subscriber. At any given point we have between 10-30something people online. One or two more subs, especially in light of what you pointed out regarding some subs being infrequent users, I don't think it would 'devalue' it.

As for the issue of no contestants, it's essentially free $$$ and you're helping QC by supporting the contest. Having a month to take a shot at a 2 page essay with only positives (you become a better critical thinker and the possibility to win a sub) dissuades me from the notion of a lack of contestants.

@JustSaiyan I understand. Although I think you may find our topics are ripe for discussion. Whilst I certainly wouldn't put it under the umbrella term of 'conflict,' I think they will encourage impassioned discussion, at most.

Any unnecessary conflict in regards to posted essays (at the authors discretion) will be dealt with by the moderating team.

Answer 34

@migrainebye

Answer 35

@Bob Forgot to tag you

Answer 36

oh more homework

Answer 37

1 month is a lot of time, it usually takes me 1 day to jam in a last minute essay for my college courses lol

Answer 38

I take it you'll be participating (:

Answer 39

We're rushing one out for this month, so it'll be about a week. But I am thinking of providing some further incentives/benefits due to that case.

Answer 40

starts in a week ?

Answer 41

Prompt released next Monday

Answer 42

Actually I think we'll announce winners on the first Monday of a month. So perhaps due 2/1 (Friday - Midnight) so we have the weekend to look over the essays.

Answer 43

Since 2/4 is the first Monday of Feb

Answer 44

So that's a bit closer to two weeks now.

Answer 45

\(\color{#0cbb34}{\text{Originally Posted by}}\) @dude
(& I wonder if we get a point where we get no contestants)
\(\color{#0cbb34}{\text{End of Quote}}\)
I know i'm participating. And Tgp, too. And perhaps a lot others that are willing to.

Answer 46

@mhchen