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DEADLINE FOR ALL PIECES: FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2025
THIS YEAR'S THEME
THIS YEAR'S THEME
The Journey
The purpose of the Southern Lakes Anthology is to provide talented writers, poets, artists, and cartoonists in Grades 3-8 in the School District of Beloit Turner an opportunity to publish their original work. Can you think of a creative way to explore/represent this year's theme? Entries can be submitted in the following categories:
prose (a real or fictional story)
expository/informative writing (an essay/report with factual information)
poetry
illustrated writing (poetry or story with art woven throughout)
cartoon
art
Pay special attention to the Category Rules tab above, as entries that do not follow the rules for their category may be disqualified. Rubrics used for judging are also posted in their own tab.
Need some help coming up with an idea?
Use one or all of the resources below to help you!
To submit an entry, please complete the following tasks no later than Friday, Dec. 12:
For prose, expository writing, poetry, and illustrated writing entries, ELECTRONICALLY SHARE your entry (via Google Docs) to Mrs. Langer, langerl@turnerschools.org
If you are submitting an art piece, middle school can bring it to Mrs. Fraedrich or Mrs. Langer in the library. Garden Prairie students can give it to Mrs. Pennington in the library.
Other important notes:
All entries are due by the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.
Students ARE allowed to submit more than one entry.
For an illustrated writing entry, students are allowed to collaborate with another student from a different class who is in the same grade.
Category Rules
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
IMPORTANT! The phrase “The Journey may not be used in your title.
Content should be appropriate for ages 8-14.
All work must be original, including drawings. No copies of existing photographs or easily recognized art, commercial logos, cartoons or characters will be included in the publication.
Work that includes profanity, copyrighted trademarks, gang signs, product names, or extreme violence will NOT be published.
POETRY: Writing in which language is chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm.
Maximum one typed page utilizing 8 ½ x11” paper
12 to 24 point font
Minimum 1 inch margins
Double-spacing preferred – or double spaced between stanzas
A variety of poetry “styles” will be accepted
No clip art or graphics should be included on the page
Title & Student Name should be centered at top of page
Line #1 Title (14 pt font)
Line #2 Student First and Last Name (12 pt font) -
DO NOT Type “by” in front of name
Consider the skillful use of:
Rhythm, rhyme, & repetition (but note that poems don't need to rhyme!)
Vivid sensory details, imagery
Symbolism
Precise and figurative language
Style/form (how words are arranged on a page)
PROSE & EXPOSITORY WRITING: Writing that is not poetry. Reads like a narrative/story.
Prose is a narrative/a story of something that happened in real life or it could be fictional/made up
Expository writing is informative in nature. Pick a topic, do some research, and write a well-organized essay to inform the judges about the topic
Maximum two typed page utilizing 8 ½ x11” paper
12 to 15 point font
Minimum 1 inch margins
Double Spacing is required
No clip art or graphics should be included on the page
Title & Student Name should be centered at top of page -
Line #1 Title (14 pt font)
Line #2 Student First and Last Name (12 pt font) -
DO NOT Type “by” in front of the first name
Consider the skillful use of:
Genre & structure
Organization & flow
Thoughtful, deliberate word choice
ART:
Drawing, painting, etc. with emphasis on black and white
No title or student name on front of artwork; this information should go on a post-it on the back of the entry
Must use this art template or have at least one inch margins on the outside of the artwork. (Art template can be printed or picked up at any school office.)
Vertical or horizontal orientation
Black and white ONLY using ink, pencil, marker, etc. to draw, sketch, paint, etc.
Emphasis on strong black / white contrast
Original work must be submitted and present on judging day
No trademarks or copyrighted material.
If 1-2 words are present in the piece it may still be considered ART. If multiple words are present, the piece will be considered cartoon
No digital art will be accepted this year, but it is being considered as a potential new category for future years
Consider the skillful use of:
A unique, fresh idea that is clearly communicated and relates to the theme
Appeals to the emotion, intellect, or senses
Reflects artistic elements and technique
Is accurate and neat
CARTOON: A non-realistic or semi-realistic artistic style of drawing or painting that conveys an idea or message.
No title or student name on front of cartoon; this information should go on a post-it on the back of the entry
Black and white ONLY using ink, pencil, marker, etc. Emphasis on strong black / white contrast
Must be original (No using characters that already exist.)
Must be drawn on one of these provided templates. (Pick up in the library or print from resources above)
Cartoons may have dialogue within the frames, but it is not required. If used, dialogue must be error free and written large and clear enough to be read easily
IF multiple words are present in the artwork - it will be considered CARTOON.
Consider the skillful use of:
A unique, fresh idea that is clearly communicated and relates to the theme
Appeals to the emotion, intellect, or senses
Reflects artistic elements and technique
Is accurate and neat
ILLUSTRATED WRITING: Prose, expository writing, or poetry accompanied by illustration(s).
Maximum ONE page typed utilizing 8 ½ x11” paper IF it is Poetry. Poem and illustration must fit on one page.
Maximum TWO typed pages utilizing 8 ½ x11” paper IF it is Prose / Expository Writing. Illustration must also fit on the two pages.
12 to 15 point font
Minimum 1 inch margins
Double Spacing is required for prose / expository pieces
Writing and Art must compliment each other following the writing / art specifications
No clip art can be used, illustrations must be original
Two students from the same grade MAY collaborate for this category. (eg: One may write the piece and another complete the artwork). Please make sure that both components in this category are equally strong. The artwork and writing components cannot be separated once judging has begun.
Title & Student Name/s should be centered at top of page - DO NOT Type “by” in front of the first name/s
Line #1 Title (14 pt font)
Line #2 Student First and Last Name (12 pt font)
Writing should consider the skillful use of the characteristics listed in the Prose, Expository Writing, or Poetry category above.
Illustrations should consider the skillful use of the characteristics listed in the Art category above.
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