Poetry - Written

Description:

A linguistic composition that explores the imagination and evokes emotion through text.

Overview:

Calling All Young Poets! Are you a wordsmith with a passion for poetry? Do you have a story to tell, an emotion to express, or a vision to share? Then this poetry competition is for you! Poetry is a powerful art form that uses language for its sound, beauty, and ability to evoke deep meaning. Your poem must be an original work—no need to perform it, just let your creativity shine on the page and make your words unforgettable!

Notes for Judges ● This competition is interview based and requires advanced screening of the contestants' materials in order to adequately interview them on the day of the competition. Each contestant will only have an allocated time allotment of 10 minutes. ● You should not under any circumstances engage with the students before or after the competition until the Awards Ceremony has concluded. ● You must provide honest constructive feedback for each contestant that you are judging. ● Scoring Rubric: ○ 95-100 - Qualifies as a Gold Medalist ○ 90+Up - Qualifies as a Silver Medalist ○ 85+Up - Qualifies as a Bronze Medalist ■ Please take heed that the identifying word here is “Qualifies”. There can be multiple contestants that can qualify as gold medalist and if that’s the case the highest score will receive the gold, and silver and bronze will be allocated to the next two highest scores. ■ In the event the highest score is a 90 then there is no gold medalist and there’s only a possibility for a silver and bronze medalist as long as the remaining scores land within the 85+Up region.

Requirements:

1. Original Work: Your poem must be your own original creation.

2. Typed Submission: Please type your poem using a 12 point font, such as Calibri or Times New Roman

3. Formatting:

a. Included your name, page number, and unit name and number (Coraopolis NAACP #26AB-B) at the top of each page.

b. Retain the original form of your poem (free verse or structured).

c. Do not exceed 3 pages.

4.Copy Submission: Submit one copy of your original poem.

5. Interview: Top contestants will be interviewed by a panel of judges to discuss their work.

a. Judges may ask Contestants to perform/read one stanza/verse from their poem.

b. Pointes are not awarded for performing/reading the segment.

6. Deadline: send in your work by the deadline of March 10, 2027. Email to coraopolisnaacp@gmail.com

7. Contestant Introduction: State your introduction in full, per the Contestant Introduction Script, before your interview.

8. Statement of Integrity: Submit a completed Statement of Integrity Form with your application.

Required Submissions

• Bio (PDF) → First_Last_Bio
• Contestant Photo (PDF) → First_Last_CP
• Statement of Integrity (PDF) → First_Last_SOI
• Written Project (PDF) → First_Last_WP

When uploading your documents, you must name each file exactly as shown above in order for it to be properly uploaded and integrated into our automated system.

Example: John_Doe_WP (using your own first and last name, followed by the file label shown for your category).

Note: If files are not received in these formats, they are out of compliance and ineligible until rectified. If they are not corrected before the deadline, the contestant will no longer be able to compete at this year's iteration of the National Competition

Contestants Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria:

20 Points: Emotional Connection

Does the poem evoke a strong emotional response in the reader?

20 Points: Original Thought

Is the poem unique and thought provoking?

20 Points: Sequential development

Does the poem have a clear structure and flow?

20 Points: Structure or Form, and Overall Presentation

Is the poem well-formatted and grammatically correct?

20 Points: Use of language as it relates to theme

Does the poem use vivid language and imagery to enhance the theme?

100 Total Points

Tips for Poetry-Written Contestants:

Read widely: Explore different poetic styles and techniques.

Write from the heart: Let your emotions guide your writing.

Revise and edit: Polish your work.

Practice your presentation: Be prepared to discuss your poem with the judges.

Believe in yourself: Your unique voice deserves to be heard.

Let your words soar! Submit your best work and showcase your poetic talent.