The JustWrite Ohio Program
The Who: JustWrite, Inc is a supporter of all teen writers. The program is open to all public, private, parochial, charter, and homeschool cohorts.
The Basics: Schools enter a DIVISION 1 (9th and 10th grade) and/or a DIVISION 2 (11th and 12th grade) team into a Regional tournament. Each division consists of competing six writers. (Cost-$250 to enter one division, $400 to enter both divisions)
in general- How It Works: Schools register for a Regional tournament. Upon payment, JustWrite releasess the passwrod to the Coach’s Corner. Student writers attend the Regional tournament, competing in three rounds of timed creative writing. They must write to the assigned genre and prompt. Stories are scored against other writers. Top individual writers receive awards, awards are also given for poetry and top schools. Top writers from the Regional tournaments advance to the State Tournament.
Regional Tournament Specifics:
Each team is required to provide one judge per division entered in the REGIONAL competition. Typically, the judges are the team coaches. During competitions, students are given a genre specific prompt. These genres may include: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mystery, Classic Horror/Gothic, Fantasy, and Narrative Nonfiction.
Students have 45 minutes per round, competing in a total of three rounds. All students must write to incorporate the genre specific prompt.
Judges are assigned groups of writers, and read and rank their stories according to a rubric. This rubric addresses not only aspects of creative writing, but also technical aspects of composition as well. No writer can be given the same score on the rubric, as any other writers in their round group, and this rubric score will determine round winners. Rank is only used to break ties between students when determining awards.
In addition to this, competing writers are asked to bring one poem-based on a pre-determined prompt- with them to competition. These poems are read by special laureates and three poems from each division. These top poets compose a second poem to be judged at the State Competition. One poet will emerge the winner of the Excellence in Poetry Award. This is to honor the power of poetry.
To qualify to win Regional Awards:
The top 15 writers in each division will be recognized at the Regional level.
In addition to this, teams will be awarded points for overall team points. First, second, and third place division trophies will be given to schools. There will also be one school named the tournament champion–this is a combined total of all points, from both divisions.
State Tournament Specifics:
Each team is required to provide one judge for every three advancing writers, per division. Typically, the judges are the team coaches. They can also be teachers, student teachers, parents, community members, and JustWrite Alimni.
During competition, students are given a genre specific prompt. These genres may include: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mystery, Classic Horror/Gothic, Fantasy, and Narrative Nonfiction. Students have 45 minutes per round, competing in a total of three rounds. All students must write to incorporate the genre specific prompt.
Judges are assigned groups of writers, and read and rank their stories according to a rubric. This rubric addresses not only aspects of creative writing, but also technical aspects of composition as well. No writer can be given the same score on the rubric, as any other writers in their round group, and this rubric score will determine round winners. Rank is only used to break ties between students when determining awards.
To qualify to win State Awards:
The top 15 writers in each division will be recognized at the State level.
Poets, selected by the laureates at the Regional tournaments, will compete with a new prompt, and one will be chosen for the Excellence in Poetry Award. The winner of this award will be chosen by an expert in the field.
Three writers from each division will be chosen for a Director’s Choice Award. These six winners will be chosen from all the stories that were first in round, from the Regional competitions.
One student will receive the Nikki Delamotte Award for Excellence in Narrative Writing. This award is given to one student writers whose story from the Regional Tournament is a stand out piece and highlights overall excellence. This award is chosen by the JustWrite Board of Directors.
In addition to this, teams will be awarded points for overall team points. First, second, and third place division trophies will be given to schools. There will also be one school named the State Tournament Grand Champion–this is a combined total of all points, from both divisions.