Invite for Poetry Writers of all Ages to Submit
a Poem to Our Annual Celebration of Writing

We want to recognize outstanding Ontario student and teacher writers. The winning poetry will be featured on our website. Winners and their schools will receive a CD with their poetry read by professionals.

Submission Procedures:

• Each writer may submit one poem
• Writers must submit the entry by April 30, 2009. No late entries will be accepted.
• Student writers submit to the appropriate age category (as of April 30, 2009):
  • Primary (5-7 years)
  • Junior (8-10 years)
  • Intermediate (11-14 years)
  • Senior (14-18 years)
• Teachers are also invited to submit to the Teachers category.
• Writers should be living in Ontario on April 30, 2010.
• Writers should send 3 copies of the poem to Kerrie Kennedy (see address on application form)
• Writers must send a completed application form with a signed declaration from their parents and themselves along with their poetry.

Judging the Writing

• The poetry will be judged by Judy and David Gershon.
• Judges will use these criteria:
  • thoughtful and new way of looking at a topic
  • creates images through one or more of the senses
  • plays with rhythms and sounds of language
  • ideas presented with clarity in a poetry format of choice
  • uses the chosen form in a unique/original/creative way
  • says a lot with few words
  • title contributes to the overall meaning/effect
  • length is appropriate for the topic and poetry form

Celebrating the Writing

• Up to two entries will be chosen within each age category.
• Writers of winning entries will have their poetry recorded and uploaded to the Toronto Reading Council website and burned onto a CD for winning writers. The CD will be mailed to the winning writers and to their schools for their school libraries.