STORY-WRITING
$1000 value first prize, all entries published online!
On this page:
What is Wakakirri Story-Writing?
What Stories Can You Tell?
How Do I Make My Work Environmentally Sound?
Rules
Awards and Judging
Register for 2009
What is Wakakirri Story-Writing?
Got something in your head? Non-fiction or fantasy we want to know. Maximum 500 words for primary school students. Maximum 1000 words for secondary schools. Simple! It’s such an easy competition every student can be a part of it. Entry is FREE.
The Wakakirri theme is our world - Who are we? What surrounds us?
Stories have always been a great medium for exploring and learning about the world. The ‘theme’ of our world is in no way meant to limit the stories told by schools. If you look for it, you’ll find all stories examine the worlds around us, both real and imagined.
You can write either an original story or an original interpretation of an existing story.
Schools are also invited to include a signature item in their works. The 2008 signature item is "tap". Schools can represent the signature item as part of their work in any way they choose, it can be used thematically or literally. Awards will be handed out during the festival and competition series.
For example the signature item ‘tap’ could be (although certainly not limited to):
- a water tap ... tapping into something ... tap dancing ...
Where can we see examples of
past works?
Read the 2007 Story-Writing finalist works by primary students in the 2007 Online Primary Showcase.
Read the 2007 Story-Writing finalist works by secondary students in the 2007 Online Secondary Showcase
You can also check out the 2006 finalists here and the 2005 finalists here.
Dates
• Registrations due – Friday 4 April 2008
• Works due at the Wakakirri office - Friday 13 June 2008
How do I make my work environmentally sound?
Students should create stories based on the festival theme ‘Our World’, enabling them to explore and understand their own environment. By emailing the stories through to Wakakirri, large quantities of paper do not need to be wasted. Drafts can be written on scrap pieces of paper.
Rules
• Three entries per school only. Many schools run Wakakirri Story-Writing competitions within the school and then send us the 3 entries that are voted the best.
• Entries must tell an original story or original interpretation of a story.
• Entries must be the sole work of students.
• Maximum length for each Story-Writing work is 500 words for primary schools and 1000 words for secondary schools. Stories over this word limit will not be accepted for judging.
• Stories must be appropriate to the age group including language
and themes.
• Works are emailed directly from
the school to Wakakirri for judging by an expert panel. Only emailed works
will be accepted for judging.
Sending in Entries
• Entries will only be accepted by registered schools
• All entries must be sent via email (wakakirri@wakakirri.com).
• Your story must have a title and be written in the body of the
email- attachments will NOT be opened.
• The coordinators name, school, phone and students name must also be written at the end of the email.
• Participating students must complete publicity consent forms that are then retained at the school. Schools must send in a cover sheet indicating that they have collected these forms. Both these forms can be downloaded from the forms page.
Awards and Judging
• Every entry will receive a participation award
• Overall national winners are selected for the primary and secondary competitions
• Selected entries from each state will be displayed on the www.wakakirri.com
website
• Winners and selected entries may also be published in other Wakakirri
materials to be shared with other schools and students
• National primary school and secondary school winners will be announced in late July 2008 • Five additional awards will be given out: The writing award for the most skilled writer; the originality award; the most creative use of the signature item award; and an award for the best story about the environment.
Judging Criteria - Wakakirri Story-Writing
Story.............................50
marks
Clarity
Creativity
Originality
Entertainment
Delivery........................50
marks
Writing Style
Story structure
Total.............................100
marks
Story-Writing finalists will be judged nationally by a recognised expert in the field, such as a children's author. In 2006, the National Story-Writing judge was Martine Murray. Martine is the author of a number of books including The Slightly True Story of Cedar B. Hartley (Who Planned to Live an Unusual Life) - and How to Make a Bird .
In 2005, the National Story-Writing judge was Jeni (J.A.) Mawter. Jeni is the author of the hilarious 'So' series – So Gross! So Feral! So Sick! So Festy! So Grotty! and So Stinky! as well as the just released 'Freewheeler' series and the novel Team Dream. Jeni has a great website with heaps of info about writing - check it out here.
REGISTER YOUR SCHOOL FOR STORY-WRITING 2009
