Humanities Writing Competition

The Humanities Writing Competition for 2012-13 is now closed. Prizes were awarded to the winner and other finalists at Girton College on Thursday 2nd May 2013. The Competition Report, containing generalised feedback on all the entries is available. Information on this year's competition is below. Details of the 2013-14 competition will be published in the autumn. 

Information on the 2012-13 competition

This competition is for Lower Sixth Form (or equivalent) students and is aimed at anyone with interests in the Humanities. It is based on six objects from the College's small antiquities museum. Named after a Girton student, the Lawrence Room contains Anglo-Saxon finds from the College grounds, Egyptian material including the rare portrait mummy 'Hermione', and Mediterranean material from the Classical and pre-Classical worlds.

This competition is an opportunity for research and writing beyond the curriculum using one or more of the six objects as your focus. Essays or creative responses (such as poems or short stories) are equally welcome. We are looking for the ability to connect different areas of knowledge, to think about details and to communicate clearly.

Clink here to see pictures and descriptions of the six objects.

An online Lawrence Room catalogue is now available for use. Detailed pictures, descriptions and backgrounds of all the objects in the Lawrence Room collection are available to be browsed through, so please make use of it as an aid to your research!

Here are examples of issues raised by the six objects, which are offered as starting points for thought from any angle you choose, with reference to any texts, periods or other contexts you are interested in.

• Decoration and signature

• Changing interpretations

• Diaspora and trade

• Hunting and gathering

• Protective powers

• Nature and culture

Extra Resources

• Museum of Cycladic Art

Competition Rules

• The word limit is 1800 words (though creative writing in particular may be shorter). Include a word count, and a list of references if applicable.

• Submissions must relate to one or more of the Lawrence Room objects.

• Submissions should be typed in English in a standard font, lines 1.5 spaced, and every page should be marked with the entrant's name.

• Submissions are to be posted to: Schools Liaison Assistant, Girton College, Cambridge, CB3 0JG with a completed cover sheet.

Download the cover sheet.

Teachers must sign the cover sheet to certify that the submission is the entrant's own work and does not replicate anything submitted for examination.

Prizes

The competition has the kind sponsorship of Cambridge University Press and the winner will receive a book of their choice from the catalogue for themselves and for their school.

To find out more about studying humanities subjects at Girton, please see the subject pages.