October 2015
Dear Local Young Authors Chairperson(s),
Welcome and thank you for taking on this important role on behalf of Maryland’s elementary,
middle, and middle school students. Enclosed are contest forms, a writing rubric (adapted from
6+1 Writing Traits), poetic devices, and guidelines for implementing the 2015-2016 Young
Authors’ Contest. Please use the electronic files to respond to contest deadlines. Feel free to
personalize the forms and flyers for your local council use. Please refer to the Timeline sheet for
contest deadlines. Thank you!
Helpful Suggestions to Schools:
 Organize a mini Young Authors’ Contest in each school. Select one to two per category and
grade. This will reduce the number of entries to judge county-wide. Each school then
forwards winners to the local chairperson.
 Hold collaborative scoring sessions providing food/ snacks and drinks. This is a wonderful
opportunity for collegiality as well as enjoyable.
Criteria for Entries:
 Do not accept late entries after the designated date under any circumstances!
Making exceptions creates too many problems..
 Check to see that all entries are original. When in doubt, ASK!
 Any questionable language or violence is unacceptable.
 Student cover sheets are needed for each entry.
 Entries are to typed in #12 font, Times New Roman or Comic Sans (Microsoft Word)
State Winning Entries:
ALL WINNING ENTRIES ALONG WITH STUDENT COVER SHEETS ARE TO BE TYPED
AND FORWARDED ELECTRONICALLY IN A MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT (NO PDF
FILES). Please check student cover sheets for completion and legibility of student, teacher names,
school address, local council identified, and emails. The state committee will be selecting one
winner per grade level for grades 2-12 in each category. You will be notified of the results by
March 4, 2016.
Your participation and efforts are greatly appreciated. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any
questions or and clarifications.
Chelley Corpuz
Elementary/Middle School Chairperson
rachelecorpuz@gmail.com
email: enalaurie@yahoo.com
Shirley Faulkner
High School Chairperson
Faulknerhcrc@gmail.com