Judging information

A panel of ten independent property owners will evaluate each essay using a standardized rubric which can be viewed on this page. Judging is anonymous, impartial, and based solely on skill—not chance. Limited entries! Enter early!

Remember: YOU MUST COMPLETE THE PURCHASE of your entry fee on the bottom of the ENTER HERE page for your essay to be officially entered. 

  Essay Contest Scoring Rubric

Word Count Requirement: 500-550 words

Scoring method: All essays will be independently scored by one of ten judges.

· The top scoring essay(s) will be collected for all judges and reviewed by the “tie-breaker judge” and scored using the same rubric to determine the winner. 

Tie-breaker: In the event of a tie, the “Tie-Breaker judge” may reevaluate the top-scoring essays for exceptional emotional impact; a total of ten emotional impact points are possible. 

Total Points Possible: 100

1. Originality of the Essay (20 points) SCORE:______

How unique and creative is the approach?

• 17–20 points: Exceptionally original and creative; stands out strongly among submissions.
• 13–16 points: Good originality with some unique aspects or perspective.
• 9–12 points: Somewhat conventional; mildly creative but not especially distinct.
• 0–8 points: Lacks originality; generic or derivative.

2. Feasibility of the Management Plan (20 points) SCORE:______

Is the plan realistic and well thought out?

• 17–20 points: Clearly feasible; thoughtful, specific, and demonstrates practical knowledge.
• 13–16 points: Mostly feasible with minor gaps or assumptions.
• 9–12 points: Somewhat vague or overly idealistic; needs more detail.
• 0–8 points: Unrealistic or lacking a clear plan for property management.

3. Relevant Reasoning for Wanting to Own an Income Property (15 points)

SCORE:______

Does the entrant clearly articulate meaningful reasons?

• 13–15 points: Strong, personal, and relevant motivation; compelling and sincere.
• 10–12 points: Reasonable and relevant motivation, but less emotionally resonant.
• 6–9 points: Motivation is present but not well explained or lacks relevance.
• 0–5 points: Reasoning is unclear, weak, or appears disingenuous.

4. Writing Clarity and Communication of Ideas (15 points) 

SCORE:______

How clear and well-organized is the essay?

• 13–15 points: Exceptionally clear and well-organized; minimal to no errors.
• 10–12 points: Generally clear; some structural or grammatical issues.
• 6–9 points: Difficult to follow in places; noticeable errors in clarity or grammar.
• 0–5 points: Poorly written or disorganized; significant communication barriers.

5. Impact on Entrant’s Life if They Won the Property (20 points)

SCORE:______

Does the essay meaningfully explain how this opportunity would affect them?

• 17–20 points: Deep, moving, or clearly transformative impact articulated.
• 13–16 points: Clear and relatable impact described, though less powerful.
• 9–12 points: Generalized or superficial explanation of impact.
• 0–8 points: Lacks a compelling or credible explanation of personal impact.

6. Essay Length Compliance (10 points) SCORE:______

Is the essay within the required word count (500-550 words)?

• 10 points: Falls clearly within range.
• 0 points: Under 500 or over 550 words.

Total Score: _____ / 100 points

For the “Tie Breaker” Judge: 

Emotional Impact (if scoring a tie breaker): ______/10 points