ENTER YOUR STUDENTS' WRITING! 

STATE-WIDE RECOGNITION!

Entry Forms 

Google Doc (make a copy)   OR   PDF Version

TOPIC: 

Think about a place that means a lot to you. Why is it meaningful?

Compose an expository writing piece that accurately reflects your thoughts on the topic.

Your entry does not have to be part of a school assignment, but it can be.

GRADE DIVISIONS:

2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-12

DEADLINE:

Please check with your local literacy council for local deadline.
All entries, including non-council entries, are due by March 3, 2026.

Submit entries to shelby@alaliteracy.org.

Please carefully read the Teacher’s Guide for specific instructions.

Teacher’s Guide

Dear Teachers,

Thank you for allowing your students to participate in the Student Writing Showcase this year!  Please read over the following guidelines to help your students be successful in this project.  We look forward to reading your students’ entries! Thanks again for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Arkansas Literacy Association

Guidelines:

• The entry must be a persuasive essay.  The theme is Think about a place that means a lot to you. Why is it meaningful?

• A 2026 student entry form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian.  

• To prevent bias in judging, we ask that you DO NOT put names on the writing, but names MUST be on entry forms. Please attach the writing to the entry form, which is located on page 2, (staple or paperclip it) if you are sending in a hard copy. Please submit as one file if going digital.

• A parent must sign in order for the child to participate. Please read the entry form carefully.

• All entries must be submitted through a teacher. If students work on their writing at home, they must bring it to school and submit it through a teacher.

• Entries may be no longer than five (5) pages.

• Entries should be submitted to a local council first.  

• If no local council is active in the area, then those entries should be submitted to ALA by February (Shelby@alaliteracy.org).  They will be judged as a group.  The winners then will be submitted to compete at the state level.

• Student submissions that are found to be predominantly written by AI will be disqualified. 

Reminders:

• Your student may enter a piece of writing that was previously written within this school year.  However, the writing does not have to be written as part of classroom instruction. 

• Entry forms must be postmarked by March 3, 2026.

• Only three (3) entries per teacher will be accepted. 

• Only one (1) entry per student will be accepted.

• Allow students access to the scoring rubrics so they know what is expected.

Student Entry Form

Directions  

Please complete all information on this page.  Please do not put your name or any other personal information on your writing.  All entries will be assigned a number before scoring to ensure fairness.

Guidelines for Entries

• Entries that do not follow all of the guidelines will be disqualified.

• No more than three (3) entries per teacher.  

• No more than one (1) entry per student.  

• Entries may be no longer than five (5) pages. 

• The entry form must be complete, and no personal information should be on the writing.

• Style points will be awarded. 

Entry Information

Please complete the following information.  

First & Last Name of Student _______________________________________Grade of Student______________

First & Last Name of Parent/Guardian ___________________________________________________________

Student Mailing Address  _____________________________________________________________________

  _____________________________________________________________________

Parent e-mail  ______________________________________________________________________________

School ____________________________________________________________________________________

School Phone ______________________________________________________________________________

First & Last Name of Teacher __________________________________________________________________

Teacher’s e-mail  ___________________________________________________________________________

Teacher ALA Local Council: ___________________________________________________________________

Student Agreement:

I, (student’s name)________________________________________ have read all of the guidelines for the “Think about a place that means a lot to you. Why is it meaningful?”Student Writing Showcase, and I agree to follow all of the guidelines established.

_______________________________________________________________________

Student SignatureDate

Publicity Agreement

I hereby give permission for the Arkansas Literacy Association to display the photo of me/my child in print media publications or on the organization’s website, including any page on the site (Facebook), or in other organization publications without further notice.  I also grant the Arkansas Literacy Association the right to edit the photo at its discretion. The student’s name may be used online. I also give permission for the organization to use first name, last name, and school district when submitting to local newspapers. It is understood, however, that once the photo is displayed on a website, the organization has no control over how the photo is used or misused by persons with computers accessing the organization’s website. A parent must sign in order for the child to participate. 

______________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian SignatureDate

Writing Rubric

Student Grade Level ______________Student ID ________________