Creative Writing

The creative writing activity includes two categories: Poetry and Short Story. 

Poetry is a rhymed or unrhymed verse which develops a central theme or image.

A short story is a fictional piece which utilizes setting, plot, and characterisation to reveal an implied theme.

Competition Guidelines:

  • the creative writing activity is form year 1.
  • The work must relate to the theme of the festival and should be drawn from our Church spirit, its values and traditions.
  • At the final stage, submit a digital content written using Arial 12 point font and double spaced not as photo. undecorated title page clearly indicating your Church, your name, age group, and the title of your work.
  • Recommended word count per grade for short stories:
    • YR. 1-2: 100 words
    • YR. 3-4: 100 – 400 words
    • YR. 5-6: 400 – 600 words
    • YR. 7-9: 600 – 800 words
    • YR. 10 -13: 800 – 1200 words
    • Adults: 1000 – 1500 words
  • Recommended line count per grade for poetry:
    • YR. 1-2: 5 to 6 lines
    • YR. 3-4: 8 lines
    • YR. 5-6: 10 lines
    • YR. 7-9: 15 lines
    • YR. 10 -13: 18 lines
    • Adults. 18 + lines
  • Groups participating in the creative writing activity may be represented by one or more members of the group and have one or more submission. If there is more than one submission representing the group, the higher mark will count as the group mark in creative writing (local church only).
  • All submissions must be the participant original work. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and will negatively affect your mark.
  • Please upload your submission to Google drive under related age group

Evaluation Criteria:

Criteria for evaluating stories:

1. Idea and purpose – 10%
    The idea has to be serious and must have a purpose.

2. Creativity and Choice of words – 10% • New way of treating an issue

3. Clarity and Brevity – 10%
     The vocabulary must be clear and easily understood. Use of archaic language should be avoided.

4. Arrangement & Flow of Sentences – 20%
     Creates natural flow of events, or creative arrangement of events that inspire interest or intrigue

5. Use of figurative language – 10%
    Using allegorical or metaphorical language to illustrate the main idea.

6. Grammar and composition – 10% • Vary your syntax

7. Efficiency in producing the desired effect upon the reader – 10% • No unnecessary phrasing

8. The overall effect of the story – 20%

Criteria for evaluating poetry:

1. Idea and purpose – 10%
    The idea has to be serious and must have a purpose.

2. Creativity and choice of words – 10% • A new way of treating an issue

3. Clarity and Brevity – 10%
    The vocabulary must be clear and easily understood. Use of archaic language should be avoided.

4. Rhythm – 20%
    Creates rhythmical echo appropriate to the intention of the poem

5. Use of figurative language – 10%
    Using allegorical or metaphorical language to illustrate the main idea.

6. Grammar and composition – 10% • Vary your syntax

  • Efficiency in producing the desired effect upon the reader – 10%

    • No unnecessary phrasing

    • Don’t use words just to fill out the missing rhythm

  • The overall effect of the poem – 20%