What is the Dalton Camp Award? Well, the winner receives a $10,000 prize for the best essay on the link between democracy and the media in Canada! FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting annually presents this award in honour of Dalton Camp, a distinguished commentator on Canadian public affairs. Review these tips to win the Dalton Camp Award before beginning your essay:
Read Over The Eligibility Requirements
Firstly, review the eligibility requirements to determine whether you can apply. The DCA welcomes all applications from across ages, genders, sexual orientations, beliefs, religions, and abilities. Basically, any Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada may submit their essay for the $10,000 prize no matter their age, as well as their student or professional status.
However, students are eligible for the $2,500 Student Prize. As long as they enroll in a recognized post-secondary institution.
Decide On Your Essay Topic
The topic MUST discuss the link between media and democracy in Canada in a creative, engaging, and proactive way.
Your essay should be both compelling and dynamic because the jury will judge both the subject matter and the strength of written expression.
Limitations to consider:
- Follow the word limit (maximum 2,000 words). This includes any editorial content in your citations.
- Must be in English.
- Avoid technical and academic writing.
Essay Tips
Firstly, remember to express your ideas and writing styles with originality and creativity.
Secondly, the author assumes sole responsibility for the accuracy of their essay. Therefore, make sure to cite ALL direct quotations, factual assertions, and borrowed ideas.
Thirdly, an entrant can only submit one essay. All ideas are the original written expression of the entrant, with the exception of quotations.
Fourthly, review past winning essays to give you a sense of what the judges are looking for in these essays.
Submission Tips
When you are ready to submit your essay, complete the online submission form. However, keep a saved copy of your essay prior to filling out the form so it isn’t lost. Include the essay title and the full name of the author on the first page of your submission. The rest of the essay should not include any information that would identify the author. Each essay is judged on an anonymous basis.
What Can Disqualify Your Essay?
- If more than one person writes the essay.
- Submitting multiple essays.
- Using a pseudonym.
- Including visuals or photographs in your submission.
- Unacceptable content:
- Infringing on a third party’s intellectual property rights.
- Violating privacy or publicity rights.
- Defamatory, libellous, obscene, or otherwise unlawful or objectionable content.
- Submitting an essay that has been previously published or submitted elsewhere for publication prior to March 2021.
Looking for More Information?
Hopefully, these tips to win the Dalton Camp Award are helpful! If you wish to submit an essay to the Dalton Camp Award, read about How To Apply first. To learn more about past winning essays, check out The Dalton Camp Award 2020 Winner: Radiyah Chowdhury next.