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NESTA Choices Writing Competition‏

The NESTA Choices Writing Competition is an annual event. It offers an excellent opportunity for aspiring and serious writers to try their hand at researching and crafting a persuasive and informative essay in support of a worthy Hong Kong charity. Funds will be donated to the charities supported by the winning entrants. NESTA firmly believes in giving back to Hong Kong in every manner possible, and this competition offers both tangible and intangible benefits to students and local charities. Students gain in-depth insight into a charity, and also improve research and writing skills for school and external examinations. Charities obviously gain financially, but also through the enhanced awareness gained by students, some of whom may become donors or volunteers in the future.

 

The Competition Format

Students from one of three categories choose one of the charities listed below. The charities are the same as those being supported through NESTA Choices. Students should visit their charity’s website to find out more about the charity’s mission and good works. Other relevant sources can also be used. Then they must write a persuasive essay supporting the charity and explaining why it is worthy of receiving funding. The essay - including tone, vocabulary and content – should try to convince the reader why the chosen charity is worthy of receiving donations.

 

The Entrant Categories and Essay Lengths

Primary 4-6 students:	150 - 250 words
Junior secondary students:	200 - 350 words
Senior secondary students:	300 - 500 words

All students within the above categories are welcome to enter.

 

Important Dates

May 15th, 2012:	Essay Submission Deadline
May 16th – May 30th:	Judging of scripts
June 1st, 2012:	Announcement of winners on NESTA website

 

Submission of the Essay

Essays should be sent to dorarie@nesta.hk as an attachment. They should include a title and be original works. We ask that students do the work on their own. Teachers should not proofread or edit work, as it then becomes a collaborative effort and not the student’s own essay. NESTA reserves the right to use submitted essays as it deems fit. Essays submitted past the deadline date will not be considered.

 

Adjudication of Essays

Submitted essays shall be judged by Native English-speaking Teachers (NETs), all of whom are members of NESTA. Judging criteria will be disseminated to judges prior to the submission deadline.

 

The Charities

The charities may change from year to year and are the same as those chosen for NESTA Choices. Students are to choose only one. The charities for 2012 are (in alphabetical order):

1. AFS Intercultural Exchanges
2. BRING ME A BOOK Hong Kong
3. Crossroads Foundation
4. Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association
5. Hong Kong Dog Rescue
6. Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society
7. Hong Kong Federation of the Blind
8. Hong Kong Student Aid Society
9. The Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong
10. Playright

 

The prizes	1st	2nd	3rd
Primary 4 – 6:	HK$250 coupon & HK$250 to supported charity	HK$ 150 coupon & HK$150 to supported charity	HK$100 coupon & HK$100 to supported charity
Jr. secondary: (S.1 - S.3)	HK$250 coupon & HK$250 to supported charity	HK$HK$150 coupon & HK$150 to supported charity	HK$ HK$100 coupon & HK$100 to supported charity
Sr. secondary: (S.4 – S.6)	HK$250 coupon & HK$250 to supported charity	HK$HK$150 coupon & HK$150 to supported charity	HK$HK$100 coupon & HK$100 to supported charity

(Note: Number and nature of prizes are subject to change.)

 

Contact person

Enquires concerning the competition can be directed to Mr. Dor Arie, ariedor@nesta.hk.