Write This Way for a Win
$100, a fancy dinner in my honor, drinks such as my favorite sparkling grape juice, karaoke, meeting military officers and government officials...
This was my experience winning my first writing contest and here's how it happened.
Here is a snippet of my winning essay.
It took seven tries
A Section of My Paper"Being an American patriot means choosing honor and service rather than self-centeredness.
Although many patriots have died for our freedom, living unselfishly can be a form of patriotism. In doing so I will join the ranks of people such as:
- General Daniel Morgan
- Clara Barton
- George Washington Carver
Each of these established a pattern of patriotism for us to follow."
Close "Dean residence, this is Phillip" I answered, picking up the phone.
"Hi Phillip, this is the VFW, and I have the pleasure of telling you that you won first place in the
Patriot's Pen essay competition!"
Excitement rushed through me; I had won! My paper was an essay about "Why I Am an American Patriot." It was the seventh competition where I placed in the top three but my first time winning!
So how do you find a writing contest, and what types of contests are possible? Here are some tips on where to look, the different kinds of contests, and ways to make your writing skills better.
Where to look
Looking for writing competitions is not nearly as difficult as it might seem. Start local. Many local competitions you enter are quite small, but if you win, you are automatically entered in the next contest.
Win One and Move on to the NextI entered the VFW contest and won first place, receiving $100.00, a certificate, and a trophy.
A hundred dollars may not seem like a big prize, but the next level competition prize was $1,000.00. Because I won the $100 prize, my entry was automatically entered in the $1,000 contest.
Each time you win you receive another prize. Whether it is a certificate, cash, or a trophy, it will always be worth your work.
Close Local contests can be found in all types of places, for example, in:
- Newspapers
In NewspapersOne of the easiest places to look is in a newspaper advertisement, especially the students' section in many local newspapers.
Close- Internet
On the Internet
- Use the search bar that is on your browser toolbar.
- Go to Google.
- Use your favorite search engine.
No matter what kind of search that you use, always use one or more of the four key words:
- Writing
- Competition
- Youth
- Student
When using these four words you are sure to get results. Here's an excellent example of one of the results that I found using those key words.
Close- Educational venues
Educational VenuesKeep asking your English teachers for information about opportunities. One of their goals is to help you learn how to write, where to write and when to write. They are a wonderful resource.
Another one is your school guidance counselor. Guidance counselors get information about competitions. But it doesn't matter if they have all this information and you don't know about it. You have to ask them!
Close- Your place of worship
Your House of Worship Many churches hold talent contests. Church talent contests are extremely fun even if you're not participating!
You might have the chance to showcase your poetry, drama (you can write your own), your sermons and your teaching.
CloseAs you click on each of the links above, you'll see that searching for contests is a breeze!
Types of writing contests
After you have found a profitable source of competitive opportunities you need to choose what style of competition you want to enter.
Styles of CompetitionHere are just a few places where you can find competitions that are open to various styles of writing:
CloseThe easiest competition type is one that allows you to write in the style you prefer, which means that you can write an essay, poetry, a story, or compose other creative writing.
EssayEssay-based competitions teach you various skills that you'll need for high school and college, for example organization, using facts to support your opinion and not plagiarizing.
To prevent plagiarism, if your quote is from a book, put the author's last name and the page number where your information came from in parentheses. If it's from a website put the website URL in parenthesis and nothing more.
MLA Guidelines gives the complete information.
CloseCreative WritingYou can let your imagination run wild creating animals, monsters, and people out of words.
I have only entered one creative writing competition so far. I entered a story called A Low Whine, where a man called Griffin buys a wolf as a companion and partner in battle during a war.
CloseAn essay is a paper designed to inform, so the judges will be looking for facts and how you present them. Try not to state your opinion unless asked.
I suggest one of these websites:
- VFW Voice of Democracy essay contest
- PrizeMagic writing competition (not just essays)
- PoeticPower essay contest (it also has poetry)
How to be a winner
After you find your competition and your style (one that fits you), what helpful tools can make you a winner?
- Follow the directions exactly.
Follow the Directions If you don't follow the instructions it makes nearly impossible for you to win in whatever competition you enter.
A good example of directions is sticking to the number of words that they say is the maximum.
Close- Hit the deadline.
Hit the DeadlineIt doesn't matter if your paper is the best paper in the world--you won't win unless you send it in before the deadline.
To remind yourself, try setting alarms on your computer that ask "Have you sent your paper yet?"
Close- Stick to the subject.
Stick to the SubjectIf you don't write about what they suggest you will lose points, making it extremely difficult for you to win.
This is especially important in essay competitions.
Close- Send the correct entry fees if applicable.
Send the Correct Entry Fees Not all competitions are free. Sometimes you have to send an amount of money to participate.
When you find a competition you want to enter, be aware of this.
Close- Follow the submission directions.
Follow the Mailing Directions If you don't follow the mailing directions, it's unlikely they will read your paper--because they won't have received it! If you are unsure of the mailing address, call them.
Use a self-addressed and self-stamped envelope. It's more personal and shows that you are sincere about the competition.
Be deliberately neat. If the postmaster can't read it he can't deliver it.
CloseI have some advice to share with you from two other winners...
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