YES! National Student Writing Competition
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The YES! National Student Writing Competition demonstrates how teachers can use YES! Magazine stories as the basis for thought-provoking writing, and gives students an opportunity to voice their opinions and show off their exemplary writing. Each quarter, students will have the opportunity to read and respond to a selected YES! Magazine article.
Spring 2012 Writing Competition
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Photo by Patrick Barber
Photo by Patrick Barber
Article:
"You Are Who You Eat With" by Katherine Gustafson
Katherine Gustafson considers why hectic times call for a return to the family meal. In a discussion with families that eat together, and food professionals, Katherine discovers that the family dinner is "not just about food," but about the way food can connect us.
Read the article online here.
Writing prompt:
Eating together is more than an act of consumption. The shared dinner
table also allows for communication of emotions, ideas, and daily
experiences. In the YES! Magazine article, "You are Who You Eat With,"
author Katherine Gustafson explores the impact a regular group meal can
have on one's life. She points out that fewer than half of Americans eat
meals daily with their families.
After reading Katherine's
story, reflect on “family” dinners in your household, and how important
they are to you. Write an essay of up to 700 words that answers the
question: Does it matter who you eat with and how often you eat together? Be sure to reference the article in your essay and provide at least two personal examples to support your answer.
Common Core State Standards:
This essay meets Common Core State Standards W.1 and W.3 for Writing, and RI.1 for Reading: Informational Text.
How does it work?
- Complete the competition registration form (see link at bottom of page) and register no later than April 27, 2012.
- Students read and respond to the YES! article, “You Are Who You Eat With“ with an up to 700-word essay.
- Submit up to three essays from your class, along with student release forms, no later than May 18, 2012.
- For each of the following categories, YES! staff (and possibly
the author article) will select one essay that we feel is well written,
most compelling, and captures the spirit of the article:
- Grades 6-8
- Grades 9-12
- College/university
- Powerful Voice (for an author whose essay is uniquely powerful, passionate)
- We will announce the winning essays in June 2012. The selected
essays will be featured on the YES! Magazine website and in our online
education newsletter, reaching thousands of YES! readers, including over
25,000 teachers.
Who is eligible?
- You must be a classroom teacher—homeschool cooperatives and resource centers included—for your students to participate.
- Student writers should be in grades 6-8, grades 9-12, college/university, or adult continuing education, and should reside in the United States.
- Teachers must read and submit a student’s
essay. Remember, the limit is three essays per class! We will not accept
essays sent independently by students.
What are the essay requirements?
- Respond to the article and writing prompt provided by YES!
- Reference the article.
- No more than 700 words.
- Must be original, unpublished work.
In addition, we are evaluating essays for:
- Grammar
- Organization
- Strong style and personal
voice. We encourage writers to
include personal examples and insights.
- Originality and clarity of content and ideas
How do I submit the three best essays from my class?
- You must be registered for the competition no later than
April 27, 2012. - E-mail your three best student essays as attachments to writingcompetition@yesmagazine.org no later than May 18, 2012.
- Include a scanned, completed student release form with each submitted essay.
If you have any questions, please email writingcompetition@yesmagazine.org.
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