CMU is calling for critical and engaging video, photo, or written essays that creatively address one of the following questions:
- Can social media be a force for social change? If not, why? If so, how?
- What is self-care? How can we tell the difference between what we want and what we need?
- As we plan for the post-pandemic future, what are some elements of pre-pandemic life that should be left behind? What parts of the quarantine-lifestyle should be preserved and integrated into our collective future?
The entry deadline has been extended to May 31, 2021. Submit your entry by clicking on the button below!
Two Grade 12 and two Grade 11 winners will be chosen!
First Prize: $300 cash + $200 tuition
Runner-up Prize: $100 cash + $200 tuition
What do we mean by video essay? A video essay is a piece of video content that argues for a particular topic, in the same way that a written essay would. Unlike a written essay, a video essay allows for more freedom in the form that the argument takes. For example, students may submit video essays in a documentary style, a vlogger style, or a voice-over analysis (such is often seen in video essays on movies). Video essays should be a maximum of five minutes. Please submit your video essay as a YouTube link. Check out this example of a video essay:
A photo essay is like a video essay minus the audio. A photo essay submission will include a narrative and/or argument constructed with photos and captions. The photos should be organized into a sequence that documents the issue, event, or topic clearly. Again, a photo essay should not include video or audio, but only captions and photos. The same source requirements apply to photo essays as for video essays, with one academic source and one pop-culture source. Please submit your photo essay as a PDF or hi-resolution jpeg.
Written essays of 1,000 words may also be submitted.
NOTE: Essays are required to cite two sources—one academic and one pop-culture source (e.g., meme, TikTok, movie, etc.). The sources should converge into speech for video format and text for the photo essay.
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