The Young Authors Contest What is YAC Well

The Young Authors Contest

What is YAC? Well, YAC is a writing contest that anyone in Grades 3, 4, 5 or 6 can enter.

There are four categories. You choose one (or you can enter in more than one if you want) and write a story or poem that fits with the directions.

Then you turn your poem or story into your teacher. He or she will take care of the rest.

What are the categories? The first one is Poetry. Let’s take a minute and talk about what poetry is. . . 1. Does a poem look the same on the paper as a story does? 2. Do all poems have to rhyme? 3. What are some important things to think about when writing a poem?

Contest Rules for Poetry ● Any kind of poetry is OK. ● Poems must at least 8 lines long. ● Can be submitted as a handwritten copy. ● Combinations of shorter poems may be used (for example three Haiku poems) to make the required number of lines.

The next category is Personal Narrative. Basically that’s a TRUE story (and yes, it must be TRUE) about you. ~ What are some things you might write about in a personal narrative?

Contest Rules for Personal Narrative These are pretty simple: ● A TRUE story about you ● Can be submitted as a handwritten copy, but when typed, must fit on one page with 12 point Arial font. If you write pretty big, that’s about 3 - 4 sides of a notebook page. Remember to keep it interesting!! A good “hook” at the beginning makes a

Persuasive or Argumentative Writing is an option only for grades 5 and 6. There are prompts to help you, in case you need some ideas.

Contest Rules for Argumentative/Persuasive ● Choose one of the prompts for your piece. ● Can be submitted as a hand-written copy, but when typed, must fit on one page with 12 point Arial font. ● Plan your argumentative piece out in advance. Remember, a good argument has an introduction, reasons, and conclusion to make others want to agree with you. You should also respond to “counter arguments” (those who would oppose your stance) in your writing.

Argumentative/Persuasive Writing Prompts Prompt One (1) Vandalism is becoming a problem in today’s society. Do you think teenagers who vandalize should pay fines or serve mandatory community service to help repair the damage? Write an essay to convince your reader of your position.

Argumentative/Persuasive Writing Prompts Prompt Two (2) Schools do not offer all the elective courses that students would like to take. Think of an elective course you would like to take that your school does not offer at this time. Think of some reasons why you think this course should be offered. Now, write an essay to convince the administration at your school to offer the course of your choice.

Argumentative/Persuasive Writing Prompts Prompt Three (3) Are part-time jobs for high school students a good thing or do they hinder getting an education? Take a stand.

Argumentative/Persuasive Writing Prompts Prompt Four (4) Your Own Topic. Choose to write about something you feel strongly about.

The last category is Creative Writing. There are PICTURE PROMPTS that you use to write your story. When you use a picture prompt, remember, the idea is NOT to just describe the picture, but to use the picture to give you an idea for a story. We’ll take a look at the pictures, and see what we might come up with. But, before we do. . .

Remember the “HOOK” As you look at each of the pictures, keep in mind that idea of getting your reader’s attention right from the very first words of your story. ALWAYS AVOID “Once upon a time” or “One day” or “Hi, my name is” or any of those super boring beginnings.

Rules for Creative Writing These are pretty simple: ● Needs to be based on one of the picture prompts ● Can be submitted as a hand-written copy, but when typed, must fit on one page with 12 point Arial font. There are no exceptions to this! If you write pretty big, that’s about 2 -3 sides of a notebook page. Remember to keep it interesting!!

Picture Prompt #1

Picture Prompt #2

Picture Prompt #3

Picture Prompt #4

One More Thing! The winning entries are published in a booklet. This booklet is called an anthology, and it contains ALL of the stories, poems, and personal narratives that have been written by the this year’s contest winners.

Sooooo. . . To Wrap Things Up. . . Some Frequently Asked Questions: When are entries due? You must turn in your writing piece to you teacher by January 25 th

Frequently Asked Questions Do we HAVE to enter? Ask your teacher

More Frequently Asked Questions When are entries due? You must turn your entry in to your teacher by January 25 th. Your teacher will then submit entries to the judges by January 31 st.

Another Frequently Asked Question Can I enter more than one piece of writing? YES, but only one per category.

One more Frequently Asked Question What happens if I win? There is a workshop in Baraboo that you get to go to. It’s not until May, though, so don’t worry about the details. Kids from several other schools come, too. It’s a fun day!

Just a few other details: 1. You can only enter something you have written this school year. 2. There are TWO winners PER grade PER category 3. Only enter your BEST work! Quality is way more important than quantity, so please don’t send in any thrown together stuff.

Happy Writing!!