Guidelines for Participating in Poetry:

Individual participants will write a poem that reflects the LTCSW theme. The submission should follow these guidelines.

• The poem may be written in any meter or rhythm. It does not have to rhyme. Poems that do rhyme can adhere to any rhyme scheme.
• Poems must be typewritten, size 12 font, not in script font, and must be a minimum of five lines and not exceed one page.
• Italics may be used. Italics keep the individual letters separate making it easier to read than a script font which links the letters together.
• The participant author’s name, grade, and congregation name must be included at the top of the page.
• The work must be original. No part of poem may be copied. For example, “Roses are red, Violets are blue…” is not acceptable.
• Adult assistance should be essentially verbal. Adults may discuss the theme and possible poetic applications. Adults may also make verbal suggestions on content and style, and point out editorial corrections on the participant’s written work.

 

Judging Criteria:

Poetry submissions will be evaluated according to the following criteria.

• Poems will be scored on a scale of 100 possible points.
  1. (30 Points) Creativity: Use of current LTCSW theme.
  2. (30 Points) Structure: Proper use of rhyme schemes, meter or non-rhyming schemes.
  3. (20 Points) Readability: Appropriate use of “poetic license” for desired effect.
  4. (20 Points) Overall Effect: Words, style and meaning combined. Is it Age/Grade appropriate material and vocabulary?
• As appropriate, a point deduction of 5 POINT will be assessed if submission requirements are not met.
• As a general rule, awards will be assigned accordingly: GOLD, 95-100 points; SILVER, 85-94 points; BRONZE, 70-84 points; and NO AWARD, 0-69 points.
• The Event Director reserves the discretion to assign the final award.

 

Submission Protocol:

Submissions of Poetry entries should follow these guidelines.

• Poetry entries should be submitted to the Poetry event director.
• Submissions can be made via the REGISTRATION page uplink, or by email/postal mail to the event director.
• Click on the event director’s name posted at the top of this page, or visit the CONTACT US page, for information on how to submit materials to the event director.
• Submissions must include a Pre-Convention Cover Sheet (listing all Poetry participants from the church) and FOUR copies of the poem.
• All required materials must be submitted on or before the pre-convention submissions deadline (postal submissions must be post-marked on or before this date).
• Do not send entries in a manner that require signature receipt.
• The event coordinator will send confirmation of receipt of the submission to the church coordinator.
• If applicable to the participant(s), a LTCSW Special Needs or Concerns Form should be submitted to the LTCSW Special Needs Coordinator by the registration deadline.