Essay Contest
Barbara Jordan Historical Essay CompetitionFounded in 1995 as an event sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin, the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition moved to its new home with UIL Academics in 2011-2012. The competition provides students an opportunity to explore the contributions of African Americans to Texas history, as well as honoring the legacy of its namesake, Barbara Jordan. The theme of the competition is "African Americans in Texas: Past and Present."
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Latino History Essay ContestFounded in 2011 by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at UT-Austin, the Latino History Essay Competition has found a new home with UIL Academics beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. In its initial year the competition was open to students in South Texas; beginning with 2012-2013 entries will be accepted from students statewide. The theme of the competition is "historical and cultural legacies of Latinos in Texas history."
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Literary Criticism
Contest DescriptionThe Literary Criticism Contest challenges students to acquire a thorough knowledge of literary history and of critical terms, and encourages development of abilities through critically thinking about literary texts.
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Sample Test2022-2023 Reading Selection
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein [; or, The Modern Prometheus ] William Shakespeare's Sonnets, edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine Thornton Wilder's Our Town: A Play in Three Acts Part 1: Knowledge of Literary Terms and Literary History (30 one-point items) Part 2: The UIL Reading List - differs year to year (20 two-point items) 2022 2022-2023 Reading List UIL Reading List 1987-2023 Part 3: Ability in Literary Criticism (15 two-point items) Three sets of items comprise the scored part of the test; a required tie-breaking essay that invites the competitor to exercise his or her skill in literary analysis completes the test. |
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Ready Writing
Contest DescriptionThe Ready Writing Contest builds students’ skills and helps refine writing abilities through writing expository compositions, which explain, prove or explore a topic in a balanced way, allowing the argument and the evidence given to be the deciding factor in the paper
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Sample Prompts and EssaysIn the Ready Writing Contest, the students are given two hours to write expository compositions. They have a choice between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications (past and present) or speeches.
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Spelling & Vocabulary
Contest DescriptionThe Number Sense Contest emphasizes the mental processes used to achieve mathematical calculations with no help from calculators, computers, or pen and paper and to develop the use of specific techniques and strategies to make mathematical judgments and develop useful strategies for handling numbers and operations.
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Sample TestEach year, the UIL Spelling and Vocabulary Contest is based on a different vocabulary list provided by UIL and consists of a three-part test:
Part I: A fifteen-minute section of 30 multiple-choice items focused on vocabulary and proofreading. Part II & III: The hand-written spelling of 70 words pronounced aloud to contestants, as well as a tiebreaker section of 20 additional pronounced words. |
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