WriteOn competition
WriteOn is an annual writing competition open to all NSW primary students in Years 1 to 6.
About the competition
The annual WriteOn competition gives students the opportunity to become published authors and develop skills in writing to express their ideas.
The competition is open to students in Years 1 to 6 who are using NSW syllabuses, including students registered for home schooling. Students compose an imaginative text of up to 500 words, using the image as the stimulus.
Each year, winning entries are published in 'The Best of WriteOn' anthology. The 2023 version of the anthology is available for purchase from the NESA Shop.
WriteOn 2024
WriteOn 2024 opens 25 March. This year the competition is held in association with the Art Gallery of NSW. The new stimulus image, courtesy of the Art Gallery of NSW is ‘The railway station, Redfern’ (1893) by Arthur Streeton.
Arthur Streeton (England/Australia 1867–1943), The railway station, Redfern 1893, oil on canvas, 40.8 x 61 cm
Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Lady Denison 1942, Image © Art Gallery of New South Wales 7209
Entries close at 4pm Friday 28 June (Week 9, Term 2).
How to enter
Each school/home school can submit a maximum of 3 entries. Schools/home schools use the online entry form to submit one typed entry per Stage of learning.
Please read the entry criteria before submitting student entries.
Entry criteria
- WriteOn is open to all students in Years 1 to 6 whose teachers are using NSW syllabuses.
- Entries must only be submitted by schools or registered home schooling families.
- All entries must be the student’s own work. Some students with disability may require adjustments.
- Each school/home school can submit a maximum of 3 entries. That is one entry per Stage of learning from each of Stage 1, Stage 2, and/or Stage 3.
- Only one entry per student can be submitted.
Teaching and learning advice for WriteOn 2024
NESA has developed new teaching advice to support teachers to include WriteOn in their Term 2 programs. WriteOn is a great opportunity for students to practise writing for different contexts, purposes and audiences. This advice can be used alongside the WriteOn 2023 Judges’ notes and the assessment criteria.
Judging
The WriteOn competition is judged by a selected panel comprised of school sector and NESA representatives.
The decision of the judging panel is final.
Better responses showed strength in:
- making the image central to the writing
- using the image to convey a particular perspective in a contextually relevant and interesting way
- writing coherently to develop a clear storyline that is easy for the reader to follow
- using language creatively and purposefully for effect on the reader
- building tension and creating an atmosphere or mood through well-crafted descriptions
- selecting a type of text that allows for creative expression
- having a clear personal voice
- writing appropriately descriptive settings
- using techniques such as repetition of words and ideas to build text cohesion and drive the plot
- creating believable characters
- experimenting with text structures such as a plot twist or a circular plot
- using well-structured sentences and paragraphs to organise the text
- engaging the reader with original ideas and taking them on a journey
- using affective language creatively
- using sensory description to add detail to the writing
- selecting language that is appropriate to the context and setting
- using original and creative figurative devices such as similes, metaphors or personification
- creating an interesting title relevant to the writing
- drawing on background knowledge or making connections to other learning
- using Stage-appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation to enhance meaning
- adhering to the word limit
- editing their writing carefully, for example to ensure there is consistency of tense.
Assessment criteria for WriteOn 2024
Entries will be assessed on how well the text:
- makes connections to the stimulus image
- maintains the selected form, structure and text features appropriate to context, purpose and audience
- engages the audience in imaginative, interpretive, emotive or creative ways
- uses a range of language forms and features, vocabulary and punctuation.
Contact
For further information email curriculum@nesa.nsw.edu.au
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