Free Writing Contest for Back-to-School Students
Polar Expressions Youth Competitions for Short Fiction and Poetry
Sep 24, 2009
Each fall, Polar Expressions Publishing runs a free writing contest for Canadian students from grades 1 to 12. This is something teachers might consider for encouraging student writing.
"A small Canadian publisher dedicated to the task of creating books showcasing the very best poems and short stories written by Canadians of varying backgrounds, ages, and occupations," according their web site, Polar Expressions runs annual student writing contests in both poetry and short fiction, and publishes compilations of the winning entries.
The company began in 2006 and ran their first student contest that fall (free writing contests for adults were added in 2008).
Why Enter a Free Writing Contest?
There are many reasons why a teacher might encourage students to enter a contest:
- Meet curriculum requirements
- Provide practice in writing to specific guidelines.
- Students are thrilled to be published
- The contest is designed for students, so they are competing against grade peers rather than adults
- It's a chance for the teacher to have her class's writing evaluated by professional editors
- A contest is a good way for students to compare their work to a wider standard.
Polar Expressions Free Writing Competition – Scam or Legitimate?
Many teachers are concerned about involving themselves or their students in some sort of writing scam. Here are some common marks of scams with an indication of how the The Polar Expressions free student writing contests compare.
- Entry Fee – The Polar Expressions student writing contests are free. (A fee by itself does not indicate a scam; for example, the well-known Glimmer Train contests charge a reading fee.)
- Sample Copies – Teachers are offered a free copy of a previous anthology
- Obligation to Purchase - Many writing contests are actually vanity publishing: purchase a copy of the book and you're guaranteed a spot. According to Polar Expressions, "there is no obligation to buy".
- Frequency - where scammers hold monthly or quarterly contests, Polar Expressions runs their youth contest each fall with a deadline in November.
- Who Wins? - unlike the vanity "everybody's a winner if you buy a book" anthologies, Polar Express apparently rejects between 25% and 45% depending on the number of entries per grade.
- Prizes – some contests offer "too good to be true" prize amounts; the Polar Expressions prizes for student work are modest and are spread across various grade levels. Prizes are awarded equally to winning students and to their participating school. Top prizes of $500/$250/$125 are awarded to schools for participation. Each student entrant receives a small gift such as a bookmark. First, second, and third place winners in each grade receive a free copy of the anthology in which their work appears, according to the company.
The company does sell the anthologies containing the 200 selected stories or poems, and no doubt encourages school libraries, parents and relatives to buy them and to pre-order. A publisher has to make a profit to stay in business, and knowing the number of advance orders helps with business planning.
Polar Expressions National Student Writing Contest Rules
Two contests for students (free short-story writing contest and free poetry contest) open in September with deadlines in mid-November. The contents are open to students in all grade levels from elementary through middle school and into high school. The deadline for the contest is in early November each year.
Each entry must be
- from a student enrolled in a Canadian school
- an original unpublished composition
A writer may enter both contests, but only one entry is accepted for each (no multiple submissions).
- Poems must be 40 lines or less.
- Short stories must be 500 words or less
- Entry form must be signed by parent or guardian
Judging the Writing Contests
In an interview with Suite101, editor Rachelle McCallum explained that each contest is judged by a panel of two or three judges. All judges “have a minimum bachelor degree in English literature and are published writers or poets”. All judging is blind, and is based on the following criteria (not listed in order of importance)
- Originality
- Consistency of voice
- Use of precise and economical language
- Response evoked in the reader
- Avoidance of cliches and/or forced rhyme
- Choice of form that complements content/theme
Students have no direct contact with Polar Expressions. All entries, certificates etc. are handled vi the supervising teacher.
Comments on Polar Expressions Free Writing Contests for Students
The Polar Expressions web site contains numerous comments from Canadian teacher. A small sample follows:
- Many of the students in my class are very excited about the contest. They . . . recently discovered that they can write, and even enjoy it. They have worked hard . . . and are delighted at the idea of being published. We look forward to entering this contest again next year as well. Thank you for encouraging my students to shine, because now they do." – Denine L., Manitoba
- "Thank you again for holding this competition. They were so proud, they could hardly contain themselves. It was also great for them to read other children's writing in order to expand their style and thought. The books were terrific. Thanks again." – Jan. J., Ontario
- "I would like to thank you for the opportunity. . . . It is important that students have an outlet outside of class where their work may be recognized." – Candice N., Ontario
- "I would like to take the opportunity to thank you again. . . . Your contest is a great way to encourage today's youth to write and has inspired my students to show off their writing skills." – Emese G., Québec
Polar Expressions free writing contests offer students an opportunity to have their poems and short fiction published in a soft-cover anthology that will be treasured by students, teachers and parents. Not every entry will be accepted, so teachers should be prepared to help students cope with getting a rejection note.
Although there may be some concern that the volumes are a bit over-priced, the contests are a useful opportunity for educators to encourage and reward good student writing.
Polar Expressions Free Writing Contests for Adults
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