History Research Scholarship Essay
Budget: $15 – $25 USD
Subject: Describe an act of political courage by a US elected official who served during or after 1917. The official may have addressed an issue at the local, state, or national level.
Can NOT be any of these John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward M. Kennedy. OR any of from the attached list of common essay subjects. OR any from these two links of past recipients and senators https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/award-recipients
https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/about-the-book
Use these guidelines for Bibliographies and Citations:
https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/prepare-your-essay/guidelines-for-citations-and-bibliographies
Requirements:
Must be no more than 1,000 words but must be minimum of 700 words. Citations and bibliography are not included in the word count.
Must have 5 sources at minium.
Essay should NOT include identifying information about the author.
1. Demonstrated understanding of political courage
a. Demonstrated an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage: https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/about-the-book
b. Identified an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917.
c. Proved that the elected official risked his or her career to address an issue at the local, state, national, or international level
d. Explained why the official's course of action best serves or has served the larger public interest
e. Outlined the obstacles, dangers, and pressures the elected official is encountering or has encountered
2. Originality
a. Thoughtful, original choice of a U.S. elected official
b. Story is not widely known, or a well-known story is portrayed in a unique way
c. Essay subject is not on the list of most written about essay subjects.
3. Supporting Evidence
a. Well-researched
b. Convincing arguments supported with specific examples
c. Critical analysis of acts of political courage
4. Source Material
a. Bibliography of five or more varied sources
b. Includes primary source material
c. Thoughtfully selected, reliable
5. Quality of writing
a. Style, clarity, flow, vocabulary
6. Organization
a, Structure, paragraphing, introduction and conclusion
7. Conventions
a. Syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Helpful info:
Chapter summaries from Profiles of Courage book for understanding: https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/about-the-book
Supreme Court Justices and the Attorney General of the United States are examples of appointed officials, as are the fourteen Secretaries that make up the President's Cabinet in the White House. Appointed officials are not elected by the people of the United States and are therefore not eligible subjects for your essay.
The whole concept of political courage revolves around an understanding of the risks and pressures that elected officials face and the difficult choices that politics often presents: choices between conscience and public sentiment, between moral principles and electoral success. Elected officials demonstrate political courage when they act for the common good, even if it means losing the next election.
Links to past essays: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/past-winning-essays
Can NOT be any of these John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward M. Kennedy. OR any of from the attached list of common essay subjects. OR any from these two links of past recipients and senators https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/award-recipients
https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/about-the-book
Use these guidelines for Bibliographies and Citations:
https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/prepare-your-essay/guidelines-for-citations-and-bibliographies
Requirements:
Must be no more than 1,000 words but must be minimum of 700 words. Citations and bibliography are not included in the word count.
Must have 5 sources at minium.
Essay should NOT include identifying information about the author.
1. Demonstrated understanding of political courage
a. Demonstrated an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage: https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/about-the-book
b. Identified an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917.
c. Proved that the elected official risked his or her career to address an issue at the local, state, national, or international level
d. Explained why the official's course of action best serves or has served the larger public interest
e. Outlined the obstacles, dangers, and pressures the elected official is encountering or has encountered
2. Originality
a. Thoughtful, original choice of a U.S. elected official
b. Story is not widely known, or a well-known story is portrayed in a unique way
c. Essay subject is not on the list of most written about essay subjects.
3. Supporting Evidence
a. Well-researched
b. Convincing arguments supported with specific examples
c. Critical analysis of acts of political courage
4. Source Material
a. Bibliography of five or more varied sources
b. Includes primary source material
c. Thoughtfully selected, reliable
5. Quality of writing
a. Style, clarity, flow, vocabulary
6. Organization
a, Structure, paragraphing, introduction and conclusion
7. Conventions
a. Syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Helpful info:
Chapter summaries from Profiles of Courage book for understanding: https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/about-the-book
Supreme Court Justices and the Attorney General of the United States are examples of appointed officials, as are the fourteen Secretaries that make up the President's Cabinet in the White House. Appointed officials are not elected by the people of the United States and are therefore not eligible subjects for your essay.
The whole concept of political courage revolves around an understanding of the risks and pressures that elected officials face and the difficult choices that politics often presents: choices between conscience and public sentiment, between moral principles and electoral success. Elected officials demonstrate political courage when they act for the common good, even if it means losing the next election.
Links to past essays: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/past-winning-essays