"Do the Write Thing" Writing Contest

Students are knee-deep in their work for the "Do the Write Thing" contest that could possibly win two students the chance to visit Washington, D.C. The students can choose between writing an essay, a short story or a poem about how youth violence affects them, what causes it, and what they can do to fix it.

The instructions are listed here below, followed by pictures of their brainstorming sessions that we completed as a class.

CALENDAR:
First Draft Due: Monday, Jan. 7
Second Draft Due: Thursday, Jan. 10
Final Draft Due: Monday, Jan. 14

INSTRUCTIONS:

All across America, students like you are rising to the challenge of doing something to end violence among young people. The challenge gives middle school students an opportunity to examine the impact of violence on their lives and communicate in writing what they think should be done to change our culture of violence.

In your writing, you must answer ALL THREE of the following questions:
1. How has violence affected my life?
2. What are the causes of youth violence?
3. What can I do about youth violence?

You may write either a(n):
a. 5-paragraph essay (500 - 1,000 words)
b. Short story (fiction or non-fiction; 500 - 1,000 words)
c. Poem
     i. Sonnet, Free Verse, Ballad Narrative, and Lyric are acceptable; NO HAIKUS!
     ii. Must have a rhyme scheme, unless you choose a free verse
     iii. Must be at least 20 lines (you choose the number and length of the stanzas; can be longer)

Entries must either be typed or written VERY NEATLY with no mistakes

BRAINSTORM