Each semester, instructors teaching Critical Writing seminars across a wide range of disciplines at the University of Pennsylvania nominate the best essay written by an undergraduate in their class. A faculty editorial board selects essays from among the nominees to publish in 3808. A student editorial board selects the best essay in the collection as the winner of the Henry LaBarre Jayne Essay Prize.

All forms of nonfiction writing are considered, from experimental to traditional, from creative nonfiction and autobiography to research writing. All nominations should be stand-alone works that do not require additional explanation or context.

Some notes on essay nominations:

• 3808 is looking for nonfiction essays on any topic. We encourage shorter essays (500-750 words) but welcome all forms of nonfiction writing
• Instructors can submit up to two essays from one course. If you are teaching two courses, you may submit two from each class
• Consider sharing the current copy of 3808 with your students to encourage their interest in being nominated. Many of the essays are useful as models of the short forms assigned in the writing seminars.

Featured Essay

"When Politics Plays Sports," by Evan Dvorak