Suffolk Young Authors Teacher Information Suffolk Reading Council
Young Authors Every year children throughout Suffolk Public Schools are encouraged to submit a sample of their creative writing for a city-wide contest called Young Writers. The categories include fiction, nonfiction, poetry and autobiography. These books are to be written and illustrated with teacher guidance. Students may begin composing their literary prose on Monday, February 1, 2016. Please refer to your Young Writers packet for more information and important dates. All information and forms can be found in google docs, at the following address: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/0bwr5a01kygqm MU1MQTRsUEF2LVk If you have any questions, please free to contact Rachele Hirsch-Brooks. Young Authors Packet 2
Responsibilities of the Young Authors Representative 1. To relay to the faculty the guidelines for the Young Authors projects. 2. To set up a time line with a specific deadline. 3. To collect completed books. Book should be bundled and labeled with Teacher, Grade and Category. Young Authors Packet 3
4. To select a committee of judges to determine school winners. Judges should be chosen from outside the school, not faculty members unless they do not work directly with students. 5. To arrange for the recognition of school winners (certificates, ribbons, reception, assembly program, PTA meetings, etc ) 6. To plan a display of the books written during the Young Authors Contest. 7. To distribute the guidelines for making the books to each teacher. 8. To deliver the books written by the first place winners in each category and grade level to the City Chairperson for judging in the citywide contest. Books need to be bundled according to School, Grade, and Category. Book plates must be in each book. 9. To assist with the city wide reception honoring the city winners. First, Second, and Third Place winners will be honored at the reception with a certificate and refreshments. Young Authors Packet 4
Guidelines for Making the Young Authors Books 1. Books are to be written in these categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Autobiography. 2. Books are to be written and illustrated by the students at school (Rules vary for middle and high school.) 3. Any type of cover may be made for the books as long as the cover is sturdy and protects the pages. 4. Books may be created using the computer. 5. Each book must have a bookplate inside the front cover stating the category of the writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or autobiography), the student s name, age, school, grade, and date of the writing. Young Authors Packet 5
6. Books entered for judging at individual schools in a particular category (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or autobiography) may not be changed to another category and entered for city wide judging. Young Authors Packet 6
Procedure for judging the Young Authors Books The judges for the Young Authors Contest are to look for thoughtful, creative writings that show the students point of view or personality. The judges should be careful not to choose writings which have story lines from other books, movies, or television programs. In addition, other types of writings should not closely resemble another published work. Works of fiction should follow a regular story format with a plausible plot and adequate elaboration with the use of descriptive language. Autobiographies also must be written in a plausible order which will move the action forward with adequate elaboration and the use of descriptive language. Poetry books can be one long poem or a series of short poems reflecting the main idea suggested by the book s title. All types of poetry are welcome; however, specialized types should be formatted correctly (ex. Haiku, limericks, etc.). Nonfiction books can be on any topic; however, students should make sure these writings reflect the book s title, use descriptive language and adequately stay on topic. There must be 2 or 3 judges per grade level. Round One First the judges will read all of the books in a selected grade level and eliminate books that do not merit further scrutiny. (No plot, a weak story line or other inadequacies noted). Young Authors Packet 7
Round Two The judges will attach the CRITERIA FOR JUDGING sheet (attached) to each of the remaining books. The books will be reread and given points for the categories. Judges will then add up the points and the score will determine the winners. (1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd Place and optional Honorable Mention). If there are tied scores another judge will rate the books. Young Authors Packet 8
Young Authors Books 1. Fiction Book: A fiction book is a story that is made-up. It is not a true story. It has a setting, characters, a story problem, events, and a solution or conclusion at the end. You should not use characters that someone else has already used in stories nor should you be telling a story that is in a book, movie or TV program. It should be your own made-up story. 2. Nonfiction Book: A nonfiction book tells about something that is real and true. You might write about something that you are really interested in such as some particular kind of animal, a sport, or even a hobby or activity you enjoy. You may want to write about something that you have done such as a trip you took, or something funny, scary or exciting that happened to you. Another idea could be writing about a person who is special to you in which you are telling about that person. 3. Autobiography: An autobiography is the story of the writer s life from birth until now. If you write an autobiography, you might also tell about what you Young Authors Packet 9
hope for in the years to come and when you grow up. 4. Poetry Book: If you decide to write a book of poetry, it should have either one fairly long poem or it should have five or six shorter poems that you have made up yourself. 5. Class Book: Kindergarten classes may complete a class book of the above mentioned categories. However these books should still be limited in teacher prompts, and should be able to feature the students work. Young Authors Packet 10
Book Writing Rules Per Grade Level Elementary School: Whatever kind of book a student in elementary school chooses to write will be completed in class with teacher guidance. Illustrations are good to use, and would be a great asset to the writing. Illustrations, though, should be meaningful to the writing. The writing will need careful reading and rereading to ensure that the student can make it his or her very best writing. Finally, it will be copied carefully with illustrations and a cover. Then it will be bound in some manner to make it into a book. Middle School & High School: A book written by a middle or high school student can, but does not have to, have illustrations. Illustrations, though, should be drawn by the student or, in the case of an autobiography, could be personal pictures. Whatever kind of book a student in middle or high school chooses to write can be worked on in the classroom and at home; however, the teacher should be working closely with the student to: Young Authors Packet 11
a. Advise the student through the writing process, if necessary. b. Ensure it is truly the student s writing and not somebody else s. c. Ensure that the book is bound in a decent looking manner d. Guide the student, being a type of mentor during this process. Young Authors Packet 12
Young Writers Book Plate Category: Student s Name: Teacher s Name: Age: Grade: Date: School: Young Writers Book Plate Category: Student s Name: Teacher s Name: Age: Grade: Date: School: Young Writers Book Plate Category: Student s Name: Teacher s Name: Age: Grade: Date: School: Young Authors Packet 13
Young Authors Rubric for Judges The following rubric was created to provide guidance and consistency for judges as they evaluate the writings of our young authors. It is the rubric that the judges will use to select the city wide winners. Title Introduction Creativity Spelling and Punctuation Neatness Illustrations 4 3 2 1 Title is related to No Title the writing. Title is creative, sparks interest, and is related to the writing. First paragraph has a grabber or catchy beginning. The writing contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader s enjoyment. There are no spelling or punctuation errors in the final draft. The final draft is readable, clean, neat and attractive. It is free of erasures and crossed-out words. Illustrations or graphics are detailed, attractive, and creative and relate to text on the page. First paragraph has a weak beginning. The writing contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader s enjoyment. There is one spelling or punctuation error in the final draft. The final draft is readable, neat and attractive. It may have one or two erasures but they are not distracting. Illustrations or graphics are somewhat detailed, attractive, and relate to text on the page. Title is present, but does not appear to be related to the writing. A catchy beginning was attempted but was confusing rather than catchy. The writing contains a few creative details and/or descriptions but they distract from the story. There are 2-3 spelling and punctuation in the final draft. The final draft of the writing is readable and some of the pages are attractive. Illustrations or graphics relate to text on the page. No attempt was made to catch the reader s attention in the first paragraph. There is little evidence of in the writing. The author does not seem to have used much imagination. The final draft has more than 3 spelling and punctuation errors. The final draft is not neat or attractive. It looks like the student just wanted to get it done. Illustrations or graphics are not present. Young Authors Packet 14
Grade: K-2 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Introduction Creativity Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Grade: K-2 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Introduction Creativity Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Grade: K-2 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Introduction Creativity Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Young Authors Packet 15
Grade: 3-5 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Purpose Stated/ Focused Creativity Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Grade: 3-5 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Purpose Stated/ Focused Creativity Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Grade: 3-5 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Purpose Stated/ Focused Creativity Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Young Authors Packet 16
Grade: 6-8 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Purpose Stated/ Focused Creativity Proper Format Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Grade: 6-8 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Purpose Stated/ Focused Creativity Proper Format Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Grade: 6-8 Judging Sheet Place: Author Category Teacher School Title Title Purpose Stated/ Focused Creativity Proper Format Spelling/Punctuation Neatness Illustration Young Authors Packet 17
Young Authors Packet 18