Eligibility:
Eighth-grade students in the current academic school year are eligible to be nominated by a school committee or department. It is recommended nominees be decided upon by several teachers. Nominees must demonstrate evidence of effective writing.
Schools in the United States, Canada, Virgin Islands, and American Schools Abroad are eligible to nominate students. Nominating schools must be US accredited.
The number of nominees allowed from each school is determined by the school’s average eighth-grade daily enrollment.
Use the following guide:
- Under 100 1 nominee
- 100–199 2 nominees
- 200–299 3 nominees
- 300–399 4 nominees
- 400–499 5 nominees
- 500 or more 6 nominees
Award Specifics:
Nominated students must submit two writings (best and themed), but as one PDF.
- Best Writing – one sample which the student considers her or his best work. The best writing may be in any genre or combination of genres (poetry, narrative, argument, expository). An excerpt from a larger piece of writing by the student is acceptable with a paragraph explaining the piece from which the excerpt was taken. Maximum length for the best writing is six (6) pages. The student’s name and “Best” must appear in the upper left-hand corner of each page.
- Themed Writing – must be written based on the topic developed by the Promising Young Writers Advisory Committee. Maximum length for the theme writing is four (4) pages. The student’s name and “Themed” must appear on the upper left hand corner of each page.
General Directions for Best and Themed Writing:
- One teacher completes one entry form per student and uploads the student’s “Best” and “Themed” writings as one PDF document. Please remember that your Themed entry should be no longer than four pages (or the equivalent in another medium, such as video) and your Best entry should be no longer than 6 pages, and they must be combined into one PDF.
- The student’s name and “Best” or “Themed” must appear in the upper left-hand corner of each page.
- The page number must appear in the upper right-hand corner of each page.
- The school’s name must not appear on the paper or within the body of writing.
- Use legible type – no smaller than 11 or 12 point.
- Double space with one inch margins on all sides. This does not apply to poetry.
- Research papers, term papers, and novels will not be accepted.
- Late entries cannot be accepted.
Judging:
Teams of teachers across the nation will judge entries using a secure judging site. Entries with top scores will be selected as superior. Writings are judged holistically on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style.
If you are interested in signing up to judge, please click here.
Awards
Results are announced in May. Students judged for superior writing are awarded a Certificate of Recognition which is provided to the nominating teacher to present to the student. In addition, their name and school’s name appear on the NCTE website. All nominated students receive a Certificate of Participation which is provided to the nominating teacher to present to the student.
For additional information contact pyw@ncte.org.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS!
2019 Award Winners
This year, 157 students were nominated. Of that number, 77 received Certificates of Recognition and 80 received Certificates of Participation. Each student submitted two pieces of writing, which were read by national judges. Papers were judged on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style.
American Schools Abroad*
Canada*
Alabama*
Alaska*
Arizona*
Arkansas*
Colorado*
North Dakota*
Rhode Island*
South Carolina*
South Dakota*
Tennessee*
2018 Award Winners
This year, 130 students were nominated. Of that number, 45 received Certificates of Recognition and 85 received Certificates of Participation. Each student submitted two pieces of writing, which were read by national judges. Papers were judged on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style.
*No Winners
American Schools Abroad*
Canada*
Alabama*
Alaska*
Arkansas*
Colorado*
North Dakota*
Oklahoma*
Rhode Island*
South Carolina*
South Dakota*
2017 Award Winners
This year, 163 students were nominated. Of that number, 67 received Certificates of Recognition and 96 received Certificates of Participation. Each student submitted two pieces of writing, which were read by national judges. Papers were judged on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style.
*No Winners
American Schools Abroad*
Canada*
Alabama*
Alaska*
Arizona*
Arkansas*
Colorado*
North Dakota*
Oklahoma*
Rhode Island*
South Carolina*
South Dakota*
2016 Award Winners
This year, 159 students were nominated. Of that number, 67 received Certificates of Recognition and 92 received Certificates of Participation. Each student submitted two pieces of writing, which were read by national judges. Papers were judged on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style.
*No Winners
North Dakota*
Oklahoma*
Oregon*
Rhode Island*
South Carolina*
South Dakota*
2015 Award Winners
This year, 191 students were nominated. Of that number, 45 received Certificates of Recognition and 146 received Certificates of Participation. Each student submitted two pieces of writing, which were read by national judges. Papers were judged on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style.
*No Winners
Canada*
Alabama*
Alaska*
Arizona*
Arkansas*
Colorado*
North Dakota*
Oklahoma*
Rhode Island*
South Carolina
Tennessee