Criteria for Judging

Winning essays are expected to be clearly written and

  • Contain a clear thesis statement followed by support through arguments and/or evidence (or both)
  • Refer to published empirical literature on R/S and health, and to relevant scientific theories used in that literature
  • Explain relevance to health, and conceptualize spirituality and/or religion as potential or demonstrated health factors
  • Emphasize relevance to Public Health, beyond possible relevance to medicine, psychology or other individually-oriented health fields.

Consideration will also be given to how the essay’s ideas and arguments fit together as a coherent whole.

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