4-Way Test Essay Contest
 
The Bismarck Rotary Club's 2023 4-Way Test Essay Contest is open and we are accepting essays! The deadline to submit an essay is Monday, December 1, 2025.
 

Here is the link to the application: 4-Way Test Essay Contest Form

 

What is The Four-Way Test?

The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say, or do is as follows:

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The Four-Way Test aims to encourage the ethical instincts in every person. It constitutes a simple and practical guide for people of all cultures. The Four-Way Test was created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932. Officially adopted by Rotary in 1943, it is held as the standard by which all behavior should be measured. It has been promoted throughout the world and translated into more than 100 languages.

Prizes

There are three levels of competition and prizes:

  1. Local - The Bismarck Rotary Club will judge entries and choose the winning essay. The cash

    prize for the winner is $250.

  2. Regional - The 1st place essay will be entered in a regional Rotary competition. A $150 prize will

    be awarded to the winners of each of the regional contests (six regions).

  3. District - The 1st place winner for our region will go on to compete on a district level. The

    regional winning entries will be submitted to the district level to compete for the Grand Prize of $1,100.

Eligibility

Open to all Bismarck & Mandan students in their final two years of high school.

Topic

The essay may be on any subject of interest to the student. It may be specific or general, but must tie to the Four-Way Test. For example, one might choose a topic relating to world peace, a special friendship, an environmental issue, a choice of life-style, or choice of occupation. Creative use of one’s imagination is encouraged.

Length

500 to 1,000 words

Format

A typed, double-spaced, essay is to be submitted, along with The Four-Way Test Essay Contest application form.

Judging Criteria

Judging will be based on utilization and application of the principles of The Four-Way Test. Essays must incorporate all four principles of The Four-Way Test. Essays received that do not incorporate these four principles will not be considered. Student creativity, organization, language, spelling, and grammar usage will also be considered as part of the overall judging criteria. You may have a teacher proofread your essay prior to submitting.

Ethical Standards

Rotary supports the highest form of ethical standards and therefore considers plagiarism, in its many forms including the use of AI, inexcusable. Essays believed to be plagiarized or artificially constructed in all or part, will be automatically disqualified. If found to be the case, any announced prize placement or distributed prize money will be forfeited.