Scholastic Writing Awards Contest
Program and Submission Information
Deadlines
For more information about California’s submission deadlines and procedures, in September visit http://californiawrites.org/Students/students_writingawards.html. California submission deadlines:
Early Submission Deadline: December 18, 2009; Final Submission Deadline: January 8, 2010.
Writing Categories
Dramatic Script
Writing that uses dialog, action and stage direction to tell a story, including scripts for television, film or stage.
Length Limits: Grades 7-12: 5 to 50 pages
Humor
Writing that uses satire, parody or humorous anecdote in any form/genre.
Special Instructions: Any manuscript where is the key element should be submitted in this category, including humorous dramatic scripts, poetry, short or short short stories, personal essays, or journalism works.
Length Limits: Grades 7-12: 600-3,000 words; 5 to 50 pages
Journalism
Writing that informs and educates the general public about newsworthy topics or current events. Works of journalism are intended for publication in newspapers, magazines, or online media, and are characterized by a presentation of facts or description of events.
Special instructions: Sources must be acknowledged. Footnotes/works cited are not considered part of the word count. Research papers and literary analysis are generally not accepted. Manuscript must not contain images, graphs or other visuals.
Length Limits: Grades 7-8: 400-2,000 words; Grades 9-12: 500-3,000 words.
Personal Essay/Memoir
A self-revelatory work dealing with individual experience.
Special Instructions: Nonfiction work only. Fictional essays should be submitted in the Short Story or Short Short Story categories.
Length Limits: Grades 7-8: 500-3,000 words; Grades 9-12: 750-3,000 words.
Persuasive Writing (New Writing Category 2010)
Writing that makes an argument to support a particular point of view or position. The writer presents a clear stand or opinion, and then provides facts and data to support it. Examples of persuasive writing include: editorials, position papers, essays prepared for debate or speech.
Special Instructions: Sources must be acknowledged. Footnotes/works cited are not considered part of the word count. Research papers and literary analysis are generally not accepted. Manuscript must not contain images, graphs, or visuals.
Length Limits: Grades 7-8: 400-2,000 words; Grades 9-12: 500-3,000 words.
Poetry
Writing in verse. Poetry may be in traditional forms such as: ballads, odes, sonnets, haikus, limericks, sonnets, etc., experimental forms, or free verse.
Special Instructions: Poetry may be submitted as either a collection of work or a single poem per submission.
Length Limits: Grades 7-8: 10-100 lines total per submission; Grades 9-12: 10-200 lines total per submission. Poetry does not have to be double-spaced.
Novel Writing
In collaboration with Scholastic Inc. PUSH imprint, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are pleased to present the Novel Writing Category. Novels are longer narratives divided in chapters. Approximately 500 novel manuscripts are submitted each year. One national-level Novel Gold Medalist in this category will work with a professional editor to complete his/her manuscript, with the possibility of publication. Students whose works are not recognized will NOT receive feedback on their submissions. Manuscripts are not returned.
Special Deadline for ALL Novels regardless of region: All novel submissions must be received by March 12, 2012 and sent directly to: Alliance for Young Artists & Writers (Novel Writing), 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.
Length Limits: Grades 7-12: 15-50 pages. Must include at least three and no more than five chapters of an original novel. Adaptations of, or sequels to already existing published works are not accepted. If more than 50 pages or five chapters are submitted, the first 5 pages or five chapters will be read. The submission must also include an outline for the entire book, not to exceed two pages which are not counted in the 50-page limit.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Writing that uses supernatural elements or invented technologies.
Special Instructions: Do not base on already published works from books, movies, comics, etc. Any manuscript where science fiction/fantasy is the key element should be submitted in this category, including dramatic scripts, poetry, short stories.
Length Limits: Grades 7-12: 600-3,000 words.
Short Story
A tightly crafted fictional narrative.
Special Instructions: Please note word length limits for Short Story compared to Short Short Story. Short Stories where humor or science fiction/fantasy are key elements should be submitted in those respective categories.
Length Limits: Grades 7-12: 1,300-3,000 words.
Short Short Story
A highly focused story concerning one central idea, conflict or situation.
Special Instructions: Please note word length limits for Short Story compared to Short Short Story. Short Short Stories where humor or science fiction/fantasy are key elements should be submitted in those respective categories.
Length Limits: Grades 7-12: 600-1,300 words.
General Writing Portfolio
Portfolios Are Open Only To Students Graduating in 2010. A body of the best three to eight works that demonstrates a high level of achievement in originality, technical skill and personal voice. General writing portfolios consist of writing from any category or combination of categories. Must include a table of contents, writer’s statement and letter of recommendation.
Length Limits: Up to 50 pages, not including table of contents or writer’s statement.
Nonfiction Portfolio
Portfolios Are Open Only To Students Graduating in 2010. A body of the best three to eight works that demonstrates a high level of achievement in originality, technical skill and personal voice. Nonfiction portfolios consist of Humor, Journalism, Personal Essay/Memoir, Persuasive Writing and other nonfiction work. Must include a table of contents, writer’s statement and letter of recommendation.
Nonfiction Portfolio
Portfolios Are Open Only To Students Graduating in 2010. A body of the best three to eight works that demonstrates a high level of achievement in originality, technical skill and personal voice. Nonfiction portfolios consist of Humor, Journalism, Personal Essay/Memoir, Persuasive Writing and other nonfiction work. Must include a table of contents, writer’s statement and letter of recommendation.
Download the California Writing Awards 2010 Scholastic Writing Awards Contest information here.
