Entries must be submitted to the Chapter/State deadline (usually by December 31 each year) (however some states have different deadlines therefore please contact the Chapter or State chairman to confirm the deadline and/or see the exceptions listed on our States contact webpage).

To participate in the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest you must do research and write an essay that deals with: an event, person, philosophy, or ideal associated with the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, or the framing of the United States Constitution.

The essay must have a minimum of 800 words and not exceed 1,200 words and it should have at least five (5) references with the minimum of three being published book sources.

To enter the contest you must submit your essay to a local Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The contest is conducted in three phases:   local (Chapter), state (State Society) and National.   The contest must be entered through a Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution near the student's residence.   In some cases, the contest may be entered at the State level (if the State does not have chapters or the chapters are not participating). Only one entry per student is permitted per contest year. If the State does not participate, then the essay may be submitted to the At Large judge listed on their website. The first place National winner is prohibited from participating in following years' contests.

Essays which meet the criteria in Rules 1-3 above will be accepted and judged equally on the following criteria:

A.    Historical accuracy
B.    Clarity of thought
C.    Organization and proven topic
D.    Grammar and spelling
E.    Documentation

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Eligibility:

• students who are United States citizens or legal aliens. 
• Contestants shall be attending public, parochial, or private high schools (including accredited home schools).  
• Contestants shall be in the sophomore, junior or senior grade of study during the contest year. 

* Deadlines vary by state.  Most submissions are due on December 31st, but the deadline can be as early as December 5th and as late as February 15th. Check the website for the deadline in your state.

Check out other essay contests for which you may be eligible.