Poetry-Writing Contest Requirements:

Choose THREE poems by by a Black and/or LGBTQ+ poet and write three companion poems that explores similar themes and ideas.

Click here to explore various Black LGBTQ+ poets OR consider using the following James Baldwin poems below:

• "The giver (for Berdis)"

• "Le sporting-club de Monte Carlo (for Lena Horne)"

• "Untitled"

Length and Formatting Requirements:

• Poems may be any length, font, or format (They DO NOT have to match the style of the James Baldwin poem)

• Poems DO NOT have to rhyme

• Student must identify which James Baldwin poem their piece is meant to be paired with

• Poems must be submitted as an accessible PDF or Google Doc through the Submission Form linked below

Eligibility:

• Participants must be students in the Howard County Public School System

• Participants must be in grades 7-12

• Deadline EXTENEDED to June 10th @ 11:59PM!

Judging Criteria

SCORE 1-10 POINTS IN FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

• (1) BEAUTY, POWER, EDUCATION, or ENTERTAINMENT

  • Beauty - A poem can be beautiful in its combination of colorful and descriptive language, beautiful word pictures, the beauty in the thoughts which are evoked

  • Power - Does the poem stir passion or emotion within you? Does it take you on a journey?

  • Education - Does the poem have educational value?

  • Entertainment - Does the poem have entertainment value?

• (2) MESSAGE & INTEREST

  • What is the poem's "reason for being?" Is the message clear? Is the message valuable?

• (3) TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

  • The student practices awareness of grammar and syntax. That is, if the poem does not follow grammar/syntax rules, the purpose of these stylistic choices should be clear.

• (4) RHYME and/or METER

  • Poems DO NOT have to be written in rhyming verse, but if they do, is the rhyme scheme and meter of the poem logical, consistent, and well-executed? 

• (5) ASSONANCE and ALLITERATION

  • These qualities relate to the sounds of the words. Are consonant sounds repeated ("Sally sells seashells by the seashore")? Are vowel sounds repeated ("The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain")?

• (6) FORM & FLOW

  • How does the shape, length of lines, line breaks, and physical form of the poem contribute to its meaning?

• (7) CHOICE OF WORDS & READABILITY

  • Does the poem make intentional use of word choice and vocabulary? Does the student use language intentionally to create meaning and convey their message?

• (8) OVERALL IMPACT

  • Does the poem leave a memorable impression on the reader?

• (9) ORIGINALITY

  • Does the poet use a unique voice, word choice, subject matter, form, rhyme, etc.? What is original about the composition?

• (10) CONNECTION TO COMPANION POEM

  • In what ways does the poem relate to the original James Baldwin poem that it is meant to be paired with? Does the poet explore or extend the same ideas and themes? Are the connections between the two pieces clear to the reader?

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 100

*Email Mikayla_Lee@hcpss.org with any questions or concerns.

Submission Form