Writing Opportunities

1. Patriot's Pen
(Oct. 29 deadline --  to your teacher by that date)

sponsored by the VFW
 

• Theme:  

  • Length: 300 - 400 words, no graphics
  • Quotations may be used.
  •  Typed, single spaced
  •  Do not include name on final draft, only on entry sheet.

  More Info: Patriot's Pen Website

   

• You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work.

• Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.

2. "How can good Sportsmanship/Citizenship have a positive effect on our community or school?"
(Deadline: December 1 to your teacher)

• 250 - 350 words
• The above title must appear at the top of the first typed page of your essay, (do not include your name, school or city).
• Staple entry form to your essay page.
• All entries must be typed.
• Must be a current 7th/8th grade student
• MUST BE WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED BY THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE FROM A TEACHER, PARENT, GUARDIAN, SIBLING, ACQUAINTANCE OR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR.

http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/letters

• Write a personal letter to an author, explaining how his or her work changed your view of the world or of yourself. 
• First place = cash award and $50 Target gift certificate
• Consider these questions:
  • Did the characters, conflict or setting mirror your life in some way? 
  • What strengths or flaws do you share with a character or characters in the book?
  • What did the book show you about your world that you never noticed before?
  • What surprised you about yourself while you were reading this book?
  • Why was it meaningful to you?
• Letters will be judged on the following:
  • exposition (the writer's use of language skills, organization and grammar).
  • Content ( the writers' achievement in addressing the contest theme)
  • Writer's Voice (the writer's style and originality of expression)

4.        Promising Young Writers contest (local)
(deadline: to your teacher by Nov. 14)

• FICTION – a short story
  • 2 – 10 pages
  • typed, double-spaced

• POETRY
  •  4 – 40 lines
  • rhymed or unrhymed
  • typed, single spaced

• ESSAY - a non-fiction prose piece
  •  1 – 3 pages
  •  typed/double-spaced,
  •  titled
  • identify the presumed reader

1. Best Writing Sample
A sample of writing that the student considers his or her best work,
regardless of amount of revision. Research papers, term papers, or novels will not be accepted by state coordinators.
2. THEME writing
The theme topic, developed by the Promising Young Writers Advisory Committee,
is a common topic on which all students entering the program must write.

Directions for Best and Theme Writing
a. Printed from a computer in legible black type (no smaller than 12 point) or handwritten using dark ink
b. Double-spaced (except for poetry)
c. Margins are 1” on all sides (except for poetry)
d. Page number is in the upper right-hand corner
e. Printed on one side of 8.5 x 11 inch paper
f. Student’s name and “Best” or “Theme” appear in the upper left-hand corner of each page
g. School name does not appear on the papers or within the body of writing
h. Max pages for theme is four (4) pages.
Max pages for best paper is seven (7) pages.
An excerpt from a larger piece is acceptable with a paragraph explaining the piece from which the excerpt was taken.

Website: http://www.ncte.org/awards/student/pyw

2010 Theme

Scattering Light, Lifting Clouds

In Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem “Voices,” the speaker
writes about the influence of a person to whom they
are grateful for “scattering light” and “lift[ing] clouds.”
Think of a person or group who has influenced you to
become the individual you are. Perhaps this person
or group helped you to consider something from a
new perspective or removed an obstacle that allowed
you to achieve one of your goals. Whether through
words, deeds, life examples, or in some other way,
this person or group scattered a positive light in your
life. How might you continue the cycle of scattering
light for others? Write an original piece no longer than
four pages in your preferred genre (such as drama,
poetry, short story, essay, narratives, op ed piece,
science fiction, memoir, news articles, etc.) Be sure
to write for conciseness and clarity.

Judging

Teams of teachers at the state level will judge
the writing and select Promising Young Writers.
Papers will be judged on content, purpose, audience,
tone, word choice, organization, development, and
style. Judges take into account that the writers are
eighth-grade students, not professional writers.
The number of winners in each state may not exceed
the number of that state’s delegation in the U.S.
House of Representatives. The Virgin Islands, and
American Schools Abroad are limited to two winners
each. The District of Columbia and Canada are limited
to four winners.

Website: http://www.artandwriting.org/awards

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