LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- The Rider University English Department is sponsoring its 17th-annual high school writing contest through December.

The contest is broken down into three categories: essay, fiction, and poetry. Prizes of $100, $50, and $25 will be awarded respectively to the top three pieces in each category, with certificates of honorable mention going to each finalist. The winners, which will be announced in March, will be considered for publication in Venture, a literary magazine published by Rider's English Department.

The essay competition must be a personal composition on a topic of the writer's choice of no more than five double-spaced, typed pages. Fiction entries should be a short story within the same length and style guidelines. The poetry contest is also on a topic of the writer's choice and cannot exceed 50 lines. Poetry entries must also be typed, but can be single-spaced. Handwritten entries in any category will not be read.

Each student is permitted one entry per category, which should include the category title, student's name and home address, grade, teacher's name, and the school's name and address. Teachers should also include a letter with the entry stating that the work is original and by the student. A self-addressed, stamped envelope should be included for entrants wishing to receive a list of winners.

Entries must be submitted by December 13, 1996 to:

Dr. Robbie Clipper Sethi
Rider University English Department
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-3099

For more information, contact the English Department at (609) 896-5145.