Julie Vitulano

University Neighborhood High School
New York, NY

E-mail Julie

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How to Get the Most Out of Student Writing Competitions

There are a great number of student writing competitions advertised on the Internet, and they are just a quick search away on the popular search engines. Competition enlivens writing assignments. As you identify contests, you will find that you may submit one piece of writing for several competitions. Of course, the satisfactions of winning are great and sundry, and an ongoing source of motivation. Finding competitive opportunities may be used as a computer literacy learning experience, and the results may then be collaboratively displayed on bulletin boards, electronically and traditionally. Once the students choose a contest, they proceed to complete the writing piece as well as any other requirements of the contest sponsor. These contests may be entered via e-mail. For those still in need of assurance, hard copy entries may be sent also. When the results of the contests are announced, and the students receive their awards, the electrical spark of success will have been lit. 

Here is an example of a form useful to keep track of contests students have entered:

Complete this form and have your parent or guardian sign it.


Name_________________________________ Class____________________

Contest Name/URL_______________________________________________

I understand the rules and regulations of the competition. These include the following:

Writing genre_________________ Page/word count_____________

Entry form required _______Yes ______ NO Final Date for Submission ________


Signature (Student)___________________________________

Signature (Parent/Guardian)_____________________________



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