2020 Write to Win
Writing Contest for Students and Teachers
Submission Deadline: January 21, 2020
Important contest information:
There is no entry fee, but entries are accepted via teacher email only.
There is a limit of 15 student entries per teacher. No student or teacher may enter more than two pieces total and may only submit one entry per genre. Teachers may enter two pieces but only one per genre. Teachers may enter up to 5 student sentences (one per student) and one teacher sentence.
All entries must be attached to an email sent from the teacher's school email address. Each entry must be in a separate email.
Winners in each division will be invited to the OKWP Spring Celebration of Writing Conference and will have their writing published in the 2020 OKWP Anthology of Winning Writing and on this website. Each winner and their teacher will receive a free anthology; additional copies may be ordered.
There is no entry fee, but entries are accepted via teacher email only.
There is a limit of 15 student entries per teacher. No student or teacher may enter more than two pieces total and may only submit one entry per genre. Teachers may enter two pieces but only one per genre. Teachers may enter up to 5 student sentences (one per student) and one teacher sentence.
All entries must be attached to an email sent from the teacher's school email address. Each entry must be in a separate email.
Winners in each division will be invited to the OKWP Spring Celebration of Writing Conference and will have their writing published in the 2020 OKWP Anthology of Winning Writing and on this website. Each winner and their teacher will receive a free anthology; additional copies may be ordered.
Teachers, please click here for more information on the submission process.
Competition Divisions
Students and teachers compete against others in their divisions and genres:
Primary
pre-K through 2nd grade
Intermediate
3rd-5th grade
Middle School
6th-8th grade
High School
9th-12th grade
Teacher
Primary
pre-K through 2nd grade
Intermediate
3rd-5th grade
Middle School
6th-8th grade
High School
9th-12th grade
Teacher
Competition Genres
Descriptive Paragraph
Describe a person, a place, an object, a feeling. The paragraph can be an excerpt from a larger piece of writing, or it can be complete in itself. Put the reader there with sensory details and telling facts. 150 word limit
Personal Narrative
Write a personal memoir or a narration of an event in your life. Try to cover a very short period of time. Details are important. Be sure to include active, vivid verbs. Weave in description with action to put the reader there. 2,000 word limit
Poem
It can rhyme, but it doesn't have to. It can be metered or free verse. Try including similes, metaphors, personification. Experiment with repetition, alliteration, onomatopoeia. 66 line limit
Short Story
Create the characters, and come up with a conflict. Put those characters in a place and time, and see what they decide to do. Try weaving together action, dialogue, and description to keep the reader involved. 2,500 word limit (Longer stories will be disqualified.)
Essay
Stand up for an issue; change someone's mind. You can pick the topic. Suggestions? Comment on controversial issues, current events, art, television, movies, books, videos, video games, products. Show us how to look at something from another viewpoint. If you cite sources, do so correctly! 1,000 word limit
Writing Across the Curriculum
Enter a piece of writing you did in a class other than language arts--science, social studies, math, etc. (Description, narration, poetry, essay) 1,000 word limit
Flash Fiction
Also called "sudden fiction," this genre packs a punch with a small amount of text. A complete story includes the traditional elements of setting, characterization, and conflict. Choose a time and place, narrow your focus, start in the middle of the action, keep the reader guessing, and end with a bang or a twist! 100 word limit
Sentence
Write a sentence, any kind, any length, any subject. Be creative. One winner for each division. Hint: Using figurative language and poetic devices might help you win. (Teachers may enter up to 5 sentences--one per student--plus one personal sentence. These do not count against the total of 15 entries. Sentences may be taken from larger pieces of writing.)
Describe a person, a place, an object, a feeling. The paragraph can be an excerpt from a larger piece of writing, or it can be complete in itself. Put the reader there with sensory details and telling facts. 150 word limit
Personal Narrative
Write a personal memoir or a narration of an event in your life. Try to cover a very short period of time. Details are important. Be sure to include active, vivid verbs. Weave in description with action to put the reader there. 2,000 word limit
Poem
It can rhyme, but it doesn't have to. It can be metered or free verse. Try including similes, metaphors, personification. Experiment with repetition, alliteration, onomatopoeia. 66 line limit
Short Story
Create the characters, and come up with a conflict. Put those characters in a place and time, and see what they decide to do. Try weaving together action, dialogue, and description to keep the reader involved. 2,500 word limit (Longer stories will be disqualified.)
Essay
Stand up for an issue; change someone's mind. You can pick the topic. Suggestions? Comment on controversial issues, current events, art, television, movies, books, videos, video games, products. Show us how to look at something from another viewpoint. If you cite sources, do so correctly! 1,000 word limit
Writing Across the Curriculum
Enter a piece of writing you did in a class other than language arts--science, social studies, math, etc. (Description, narration, poetry, essay) 1,000 word limit
Flash Fiction
Also called "sudden fiction," this genre packs a punch with a small amount of text. A complete story includes the traditional elements of setting, characterization, and conflict. Choose a time and place, narrow your focus, start in the middle of the action, keep the reader guessing, and end with a bang or a twist! 100 word limit
Sentence
Write a sentence, any kind, any length, any subject. Be creative. One winner for each division. Hint: Using figurative language and poetic devices might help you win. (Teachers may enter up to 5 sentences--one per student--plus one personal sentence. These do not count against the total of 15 entries. Sentences may be taken from larger pieces of writing.)
Questions?
Past Anthologies of Winning Writing by Oklahoma Students and Teachers are available on Amazon.com