Essay Contest Formatting Requirements

An animation with an essay coming out of a laptop.

  1. The submission file must be in Microsoft Word file format.
  2. All tables and figures in the submission must include a title, heading or reference such as "Table 1" or “Figure 1” and all illustrations, figures, and tables are placed within the text at the appropriate points, rather than at the end.
  3. The text should employ italics, rather than underlining (except with URL addresses). Italics should only be used for acts or text in other languages.
  4. URL addresses must not be written out in full, but rather be hyperlinked within the text, including within footnotes or endnotes.
  5. The author will strive to ensure that the document meets accessibility standards for web publication. This includes a succinct description to be used as alt text for any graphs, charts, diagrams, tables and images found within the submission. Additionally, appropriate heading styles should be used to ensure that the document will be accessible once posted on the web. Please visit the Office Accessibility Centre for instructional videos to make your document accessible before submission. This is in keeping with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

If you have any questions, please email us.