Young Writer Competition 2022-2023

 THEME – PEACE

Introduction

Writing captures an event, thought or idea and is another way in which we can express ourselves. Writing about an experience or creating an idea connects the brain and the heart and develops both our creative and literacy skills.

 Aims

This competition is designed to support and encourage the development of writing skills in young people, to enable them to delve into their imagination and showcase their talents.

 Who can take part?

The competition is open to all young people between the ages of 4 to 18 years inclusively. Age groups will be 4-7; 8-11; 12-15 and 16-18 years. The age of entrants will be taken as at 31 August 2022. Competitors must state the age group they are entering on the entry form.

 For entrants with motor control difficulties, an amanuensis may be used to record the entrant’s work to paper.

The Two Stages of the Competition

First stage:

This stage takes place in two ways:

1.    Rotary clubs involved in the Young Writer Competition will organise local heats for each age group and identify 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place for each group. The 1^st place winners will be entered into the District heat.

2.   Where Rotary clubs are not involved with the Young Writer competition entrants can enter the Young Writer competition by downloading the entry form directly from the District 1190 website www.rotary1190.org and submit to youngwritercandl@gmail.com .The District Young Writer Co-ordinator will organise the heats and identify 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place for each group. The 1^st place winners will be entered into the District heat. 

All entries will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Second stage:

Local heat winners for each age group will be entered into a district heat where 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners will be identified.

All submissions will receive a Certificate. Prizes will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd place in each category.

Task

To produce a written or typed/word processed story in prose entitled, PEACE

The written entry could be fiction or non-fiction, prose, or a poem, as long as the piece relates to the theme.

 Up to maximum of 550 words for prose entries.

Up to a maximum of 40 lines for poetry entries.

No pictures/drawings to be part of the entry.

All entries to be legible.

Can be written or typed /word processed.

Entries should be sent to the Stage organiser by the closing date.

Entries may not be returned unless specifically requested.

Judges

Judges with appropriate skills, appointed by Rotary, will apply the judging criteria below.

 Judging Criteria

Judges will consider imagination relative to the subject; the ability to engage interest and to be consistent in the power of argument.

The judges will not enter into any discussion or correspondence regarding their decision; their decision will be final and not subject to any appeal.

 Prizes

At all stages of the competition, competitors will receive a certificate of participation.

At District level the prizes for each group are a W.H. Smith voucher to the value of:

 1^st place: £15

2^nd place: £10

3^rd place: £5

 Entrants are required to complete an entry form, available from your local Rotary club or via District 1190 website, and submit it with their text, to the stage organiser at the date specified by the organisers.

Dates for submission

First Stage: Submission of entries for the first stage of the competition will close on Friday 1^st February 2023.

Second Stage: Submission of entries for the second stage of the competition will close on Friday 14^th March 2023.

Click here to download the entry form.

Contact details