Please note, the 2014 call for papers has closed. Check back next fall for the 2015 call for papers.
Mightier than the Sword: The Power of Literature and Literacy (2014 English Symposium, 28 March)
The BYU Department of English solicits proposals for 15-minute presentations on this year’s conference theme: “Mightier than the Sword: The Power of Literature and Literacy.” Presentations may represent various subfields of the discipline, including American, British, and World Anglophone Literatures; Rhetoric and Composition; English teaching; and Creative Writing. Our primary goal is to give students an opportunity to add their voice within an academic discourse, polish their papers, refine their presentation skills, and participate in lively scholarly discussions. Paper proposals may be submitted individually, but special-topic panel submissions are also welcome. Both graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to submit.
Submission Guidelines
Email byuenglishsymposium@gmail.com with
- A 200- to 250-word abstract (including paper title) OR for creative writing submissions the entire pieces you wish to read (no longer than 6 pages)
- 5 key terms from your paper (for purposes of indexing)
- Contact information (your name, phone number, and email)
Abstracts should be attached as an MS Word file. Submissions must be received no later than Wednesday, January 15 by midnight.
Decisions about paper submissions will be communicated by February 15th.
The Charles Redd Center for Western Studies will also be offering prizes for the best papers dealing with the American West at the English Symposium on March 28, 2014. The prizes will be awarded in two categories: graduate and undergraduate students. The number of prizes (if any) will be determined by the number and quality of applicants. In each category, if a first-place prize is awarded, the winner will receive $200. If other papers merit awards, a second-place prize of $100 and two honorable mentions of $50 each may also be available in each category. To qualify for an award, students should submit a proposal to the conference organizers by January 15, 2014. The Redd Center judges will look over the program and determine which papers qualify for the Redd Center award. Those who qualify will be asked to submit their papers to the Redd Center judges by March 1, 2014. The winners will be announced at the closing session of the symposium on March 28.
For more information, contact the conference organizers—representatives of the English Society and English Graduate Student Association—at byuenglishsymposium@gmail.com.
The English Symposium is sponsored by the BYU English Department and organized by the English Society and the English Graduate Student Association.