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2024Scholastic2024-2025 Young Writers Awards
About the Awards•“Supporting the future of creativity since 1923""•The nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens"•Grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up)"•28 categories of art and writing "•Emphasis on originality, finesse, and authenticity "•Notable recipients of Scholastic achievement awards: Sylvia Plath, Stephen King, and Lena Dunham
Writing Categories•Critical Essay"•Writing intended to inform or convince a reader about a specific idea or topic, such as art or media reviews, persuasive essays, opinion essays, etc.#"•Dramatic Script "•Work that uses dialogue, action, and stage direction to tell a story, including scripts for television, film, or stage."•Flash Fiction"•Highly focused stories characterized by brevity. Each piece should include a beginning, middle, and end. This should not be an excerpt of a longer work. Longer works may be better suited for the Short Story or Novel Writing categories.#"•Humor"•Writing that uses comedic forms such as jokes, satire, farce, irony, parody, absurdity, comedic anecdote, etc.#
Writing Categories•Journalism"•Writing that informs and educates about newsworthy topics or current events, characterized by a presentation of facts or description of events."•Novel Writing"•An excerpt from a long-form prose narrative. Provide an excerpt no longer than 3,000 words. Novel entries must also include a brief 250-word summary of the entire novel."•Personal Essay & Memoir"•A non-fiction work based on opinion, experience, and/or emotion that explores a topic or event of importance to the author.#"•Flash Fiction"•Highly focused stories characterized by brevity. Each piece should include a beginning, middle, and end. This should not be an excerpt of a longer work. Longer works may be better suited for the Short Story or Novel Writing categories.#
Writing Categories Continued•Poetry"•Writing in verse. May include but is not limited to prose poetry, free verse, formal poetry, song lyrics, and spoken word.#"•Science Fiction & Fantasy"•Writing in speculative fiction genres like science fiction, fantasy, horror, or alternate history. This writing uses supernatural, magical, futuristic, scientific, or technological themes as key elements of the narrative. These may include short stories or prose focused on world building, mythology, etc.#"•Short Story"•A fictional narrative that is written in prose."•Writing Portfolio (graduating seniors only)"•A series of 6 distinct works that demonstrate versatility as a writer, diversity in writing techniques and styles, and a developed, cohesive voice. The works can come from one category or any combination of multiple categories.#
Award Selection•Awards’ core values: originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision •Entries are selected for awards without knowledge of the student’s gender, age, ethnicity, or hometown by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts
Recognition•Regional Awards"•Entries are first considered regionally for Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention, American Voices Nominee, and American Visions Nominee awards"•Awards are presented to students along with celebration ceremonies and exhibitions in each region"•National Awards"•Gold Key-awarded entries are considered for national awards, including Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and scholarship awards"•American Voices & Visions Award"•Prestigious honors that represent each region of the Scholastic Awards"•Ceremony for National Medalists at Carnegie Hall in New York City"•Opportunities for Exhibition, Publications, and Scholarships
Why Should I Enter?•Increase your confidence in self-expression through writing "•Refine your writing skills and voice "•Gain valuable feedback and insight from experienced writers and educators"•Receive national recognition "•Explore, expand, and celebrate your creativity!
Important Dates•September •Scholastic Awards open for entries"•December – January •Deadlines vary by region and can be as early as December 1"•January–March •Regional Awards#are announced on the portal at the end of March. A Regional Program might choose to announce results earlier.###"•June •National Awards#are announced####