Unlocking Opportunities with Writing Competitions for Middle Schoolers
Supporting middle school students' writing abilities is more important than ever. In a world that values creativity and effective communication, starting your writing career from middle school will help you and other aspiring authors to demonstrate their skills, learn from others, and overall open up an array of opportunities.
Since last year we have seen an increase in the use of AI as a means for writing, but it will never replace the human brain when it comes to the craft of writing. These writing competitions provide students a platform to explore a variety of literary genres, such as poetry, short stories, and essays. Enabling you or, if you're a parent, your kid to explore beyond the confines of the classroom.
These competitions enhance participants' love for language, improve critical thinking skills, and foster the confidence they need to communicate clearly and creatively. Written words can take on a tangible power, they shape not only people's futures but also contribute to the broader narrative of our human experiences.
If this seems interesting for your career as a future writer, keep on reading as I’ll give you a few Writing competitions for Middle Schoolers you can participate in!
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the most prestigious and longest-running recognition program for creative teens in the country, given by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. It is a prestigious organization that aims to identify and recognize middle school students possessing remarkable creative and literary abilities.
It was founded in 1923 as a nonprofit organization, the Alliance has since then influenced the literary world. Just for reference some of its previous winners are Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, and Truman Capote.
In addition to recognition, middle school students can potentially win scholarships, have their work displayed, and be published. With over 13 million students encouraged, over 9 million young artists and writers recognized, and over $25 million in awards and scholarships given out, the Awards have made a major impact on the educational process of young artists and writers. Year after year they continue to be the most prestigious Writing Competition program for creative teens in the U.S., as well as the largest source of scholarships.
If you want to be identified as one of the upcoming big writers don't hesitate to look at this competition. It is looking to recognize the brightest creative minds, perhaps yours is one of them.
Homer Humanities
If you're interested in the Humanities then the Homer Humanities writing competition might be for you!
It is a nonprofit organization whose main goal is to improve access to the humanities, by getting more students interested in studying humanistic subjects. Homer hosts monthly short-form competitions to get students interested in engaging in the humanities firsthand through active participation.
With low commitment and low risk, Homer's competitions are designed to make the study of the humanities accessible to everyone. In addition to the evident benefits of learning how to express oneself, participants who submit successfully may have the opportunity to get their work published. Marking as an entry point to the humanities from an early age.
The New York Times
In honor of its 25th anniversary, The New York Times recently published its 2023–24 Student Contest Calendar, offering a wide range of tasks for students to participate in. Tens of thousands of teenagers take part in the creation of narratives, profiles, reviews, podcasts, pictures, illustrations, and photo essays all over the world. Will you be one of them?
The competitions this year will be focusing on emphasizing the human aspect of composition. The New York Times emphasizes its dedication to listening to student voices by providing a global forum for participants to exchange viewpoints, learn from each other, and contribute to a broader conversation about the world.
If you want to kick off your writing career and have the opportunity to be published on The Learning Network or even in a special section of the print New York Times. Then check out the prompts on the website and their deadlines.
Power to Explore Writing Challenge
If you’re a creative writer interested in science then this Writing competition might be for you!
NASA would like to know how your space exploration dreams would be fueled if you could explore space. For this writing challenge, students in grades K–12 in the United States are asked to imagine a mission that uses radioisotope power systems to travel to the deepest and darkest regions of space.
Judges will evaluate student entries in three grade-level categories (K–4, 5-8, and 9–12), with a word count restriction of no more than 250. Each entry should state the mission's objectives and destination as well as highlight a special talent that the student possesses and "uses" to further the mission's success. All grand prize winners for each category will get to visit NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, being able to get insights into the people and technology that power NASA's ground-breaking missions. But don't worry if you don't win, each student who participates gets a digital certificate and an invitation to a virtual gathering with NASA representatives.
The competition, according to Nicola Fox, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, demonstrates the infinite creativity of future explorers and emphasizes that the sky isn't the limit; it's only the beginning.
National Youth Foundation
The National Youth Foundation (NYF) to advance gender equality, diversity, and inclusion amongst students in grades K–8 through four core creative writing competitions:
"I Matter," led by Isabella Hanson, the only teenage co-founder of NYF, is a poetry and art competition made to address the pressing problem of racial injustice. This program gives young people a forum to share their thoughts and feelings about things like the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. The foundation donates copies of the winners' book, featuring all the best entries, to underfunded libraries and schools around the country.
"The Amazing Women's Edition" is a national book writing competition focused on highlighting gender equality. Students in this program write books that narrate stories of women whose stories should be told. The foundation donates copies of the winner’s book to underfunded libraries and schools around the country.
The "Student Book Scholars" competition, emphasizes kindness and anti-bullying through team writing. NYF works with professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB for this competition.
"Youth Writing Workshops," is not a writing competition but it is a program focused in underprivileged areas, collaborating with neighborhood organizations and schools to conduct research and help make biographical accounts to honor local leaders.
By sharing your writing, this competition can not only change your life but the lives of many!
Tips for Success on a Middle School Writing Competition
Writing competition success in middle school requires a blend of creativity and discipline. Yet, always remember that the more you practice, the better you get!
Here are some tips to make sure your participation in the competition is not only memorable but also stands out:
Find your voice.
Thoroughly understand the prompt.
Engage your reader.
Weave personal experiences and emotions into your writing.
Set personal deadlines.
Understand the competition's guidelines and requirements to ensure your submission aligns with expectations.
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
Have fun with your writing!
By implementing these writing tips to your work, you will not only improve your chances of winning the competition but also develop the skills necessary which you can use in the future. Growth can be achieved during every competition, and the good thing is you're starting in Middle School! The journey you will take to become a great writer is just as significant as the destination.
About Inspirit AI
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