It is expected that the nature of these essays will require some level of research and study by the participants.  The judges want to emphasis the need to properly footnote all reference material utilized in your essay.  If you took someone else’s work word for word, then please put that information in quotes with a reference number following the quote and the proper reference at the end of the essay.  This is good for noting the statements of good authorities (such as qualified individuals on a specific topic).  However, most information can be gathered and reported by putting the information from others into your own words.  This information still requires a reference number in the essay with the proper reference at the end of the essay. 

However, the judges also do not want to turn this essay contest into a major exercise in learning a particular standardized formatting style.  The important point is to properly reference the material, not become an English/essay formatting expert.  Therefore, we have listed below the format to use for footnoting your references.  A separate Reference, Works Cited, or Bibliography page is not required.  Just simply put “References:” at the end of your document followed by the appropriate reference number and reference information.  Please make sure these reference numbers match the reference numbers you listed in your document following the particular referenced information.

Thank you once again for your participation,

JCM Creation Essay Contest

Reference format:

Reference number.         Name of Author, the name of the work cited, name of the publisher, date of publication, page number (s) where reference was taken.

Example:

This text represents the ending paragraph of an example essay that utilized 3 references.  The actual essay would include 3 reference numbers in the body of the text like (1) after the location of the first reference used from Hubble and (3) after the last reference from Humphreys.

References:

1. Hubble, E. P., The Observational Approach to Cosmology, The Clarendon Press, 1937, pp. 50, 51, 59.

2. Tifft, W.G., Redshift Quantization in the Cosmic Background Rest Frame, J. Astrophysics and Astronomy, 1997 18(4), pp. 415-433.

3. Humphreys, D.R., Starlight and Time, Master Books, Green Forest, 1994, p.66.