WHEN TO ENTER: December 15, 2019–February 14, 2020
**Internal deadline: send a rough draft of your submission to Mr. Stourton and Flannery by February 1.
WHO CAN ENTER: 11th grade students only
WHAT TO ENTER:
- Best Writing: one sample which the student considers her or his best work. The best writing may be in any genre or combination of genres (poetry, narrative, argument, expository). An excerpt from a larger piece of writing by the student is acceptable with a paragraph explaining the piece from which the excerpt was taken. Maximum length for the best writing is six (6) pages. The student’s name and “Best” must appear in the upper left-hand corner of each page.
- Themed Writing: must be written based on the topic developed by the Achievement Awards Advisory Committee. Maximum length for the theme writing is four (4) pages. The student’s name and “Themed” must appear in the upper left-hand corner of each page.
Themed writing must respond to this quotation:
“Why am I compelled to write? . . . Because the world I create in the writing compensates for what the real world does not give me. By writing I put order in the world, give it a handle so I can grasp it. I write because life does not appease my appetites and hunger . . . I write . . . To become more intimate with myself and you. To discover myself, to preserve myself, to make myself, to achieve self-autonomy. To dispel the myths that I am a mad prophet or a poor suffering soul. To convince myself that I am worthy . . . Finally I write because I’m scared of writing but I’m more scared of not writing.”
― Gloria E. Anzaldúa, “Speaking in tongues: A letter to third world women writers”
Consider what writing means to Anzaldúa and what writing means to you. Create a piece of writing that responds to the question “why do I write?”
Express yourself in a form of writing that best suits your personal ideas and explorations, including (but not limited to) short story, personal essay, expository essay, poetry, or drama.
HOW TO ENTER: Students must be nominated by an English teacher. Entries are only accepted from teachers. You must notify Flannery James or Mr. Stourton well before the final deadline if you are interested in being nominated.