The Mall publishes writing from Butler University's First Year Seminar students and shares exemplary work produced in FYS courses. We aim to empower students' understanding of writing. We hope that this resource serves as a learning tool in classrooms and in the community at large.

See the Aims and Scope for a complete coverage of the journal.

First Year Letter Contest – Open to all sophomore students

Butler University’s The Mall, a Journal of FYS Writing, is excited to announce a new contest for all sophomore students. In keeping with our mission to share student writing and first-year experiences, students of sophomore standing are invited to address the following prompt.

Futures, experiences, your first year at college, seldom go exactly as planned. In a letter addressed to your younger self, or an incoming student, or to a professor, or to whomever you think needs to hear it, reflect on your first-year experience at Butler.

How has reality met your expectations? Consider challenges you encountered and how you positioned yourself for success. What questions drove you, what answers found you? Who are you now, as you reflect on who you were at the start of your first year?

Writing should demonstrate focus, development, voice, creativity, and honesty.

The winning essay and runners-up will be published in The Mall 2023-24, and authors will be recognized at a public reading. The winning essay will receive a $200 gift card to Starbucks. Second place will receive a $100 gift card to Starbucks, and third place receives a $50.00 gift card to Starbucks.

Deadline: October 10, 2023