An Interscholastic Creative WRITING Program for students in grades 7-12
is a proud supporter of
JustWrite Michigan
The JustWrite Program
The JustWrite program is unique as it is multi-tiered. At its base, it is an educational program that assists schools within the platform of the written word. JustWrite directly supports the state Learning Standards particularly in writing” narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.” Instructional videos, mentor texts, and classroom resources are available to the teachers involved in this program. These resources encourage students to focus on plot development, character, dialogue, theme, genre, and more, all while learning how to use precise words and sensory language to convey vivid events. In addition to this, there is an opportunity for state-wide networking and professional development.
The JustWrite mission also looks to empower the often overlooked and underappreciated voices of teen high school students and aid them, through practice and experimentation, to tell their creative stories, thrive, and be heard. This adds the second tier to the program and is done through a multi-genre creative interpretation and written expression competition; students compose narratives and compete against other teen writers across the state at both the Regional and State level.
This competition celebrates all writers, but prizes are awarded to top writers and teams. There is also a celebration of poetry and the inner poet. By the end of the tournament season, our program recognizes the top student writers across the state and we honor the power their words have. Students have their work published in the JustWrite yearly anthology and this anthology showcases the creative outpourings of the students who compete.
Finally, the third tier of the JustWrite program is a commitment to literacy. JustWrite recognizes that in order to be a good writer, one needs to be a reader. By offering students and their coaches the opportunities to engage with published authors through workshops, online virtual meetups, and festivals, students get an inside look at the life and experiences of published authors.
The JustWrite Competition
The Basics:
At the Junior High level, schools enter 7th and/or 8th grade level teams. Each team consists of six competing writers. (Cost-$250 to enter one grade level, $400 to enter both grade levels)
At the High School level, schools enter a DIVISION 1 (9th and 10th grade) and/or a DIVISION 2 (11th and 12th grade) team. Each division consists of six competing writers. (Cost-$250 to enter one division, $400 to enter both divisions)
Schools are required to provide one judge per division/level entered in the REGIONAL competition. Judges for the State Tournament are determined prior to competition.
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.
During In-Person Seasons:
Each team is required to provide one judge per division entered in the REGIONAL competition. Each team is required to provide one judge, per division-per every three writers, entered in the STATE competition. This is because judges collaborate in pairs to score written pieces.
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.
Specifics for Competition:
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. As of the 20-21 season, these top poets will 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.
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.
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.
