Writing Contest For Grades 3-5​
Theme: I found a Magic Lamp!
Show us your writing chops by creating your very own magic lamp and genie story. And get a chance to win exciting prizes!
Open for Submissions
Note: The submission deadline is October 15, 2022.
How to Participate
If you're a parent or student, fill this form to enter your details and submit your story.
If you're from a school, district, or Parent-Teacher organization and would like your school to participate, fill this form and we'll get in touch with you.
Prizes
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be awarded. Winners will also get a trophy and a certificate.
1st prize
$25
(Amazon Gift Card)
2nd prize
$15
(Amazon Gift Card)​
3rd prize
$10
(Amazon Gift Card)​
Dr. Seuss did it. Now it’s your turn.
Your Writing Prompt
You’ve just found a magic lamp. What happens when you rub it? If a genie appears, what is that one wish you wish for?
Writing Contest Guidelines
Open to grades: 3-5
Participation Fee: None, it’s FREE
Submit your entry for Magic Lamp Story Writing Contest in the form of Narrative Story.
- Submission should not exceed 500 words
- PDF file only, not to exceed 10 MB
- Typed only
- English only
- Include a title for the Story Book
*Submission Deadline: October 15, 2022*
- Submission of entry into this contest constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.
- Students should be US residents.
- Students should be from grades 3 through 5 during the 2022-23 school year.
- Only one submission is allowed per student.
- Each submission must be the creative and original work of the student. Help from an adult or other students is not allowed.
- Story Book should not exceed 500 words.
- Use letter-size paper (8.5 x 11).
- Only digital copies are accepted. No hard copy submissions are allowed.
- Talentnook reserves the right to reproduce your work. You can reuse all your work after the contest. This submission shall remain the property of the entrant, but entry into this program constitutes the entrant’s irrevocable permission and consent that Talentnook may display, copy, reproduce, enhance, print, sublicense, publish, distribute and create derivative works for its own purposes.
- Entries can be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
- The use of copyrighted content, including any copyrighted comic book or cartoon characters or likeness thereof, is not acceptable in any submission.
- The submission may include public places, figures, well-known products, trademarks or certain other copyrighted content as long as that copyrighted material is incidental to the submission.
- The resulting work cannot try to establish an association between the participating student and the trademark or copyrighted content/material, or influence the purchase/non-purchase of any trademarked products.
Judging Criteria
Entries for the Magic Lamp Story Writing Contest for Grades 3-5 Elementary Students will be judged by a panel of Talentnook teachers and staff. To understand what the judges will be looking for, you can view the rubric for each category.
Story Book Rubric
| Criteria | Weight | Advanced | Proficient | Basic | Not There Yet |
| Main Idea & Focus | 20% | Skillfully combines story elements around main idea through dialogue Focus on topic is profoundly clear through drawings and dialogue |
Combines story elements around main idea Dialogue matches drawing elements Focus on topic is clear, accurate, and fun |
Story elements do not reveal a main idea and drawings are inconsistent with dialogue Focus on topic is confusing |
There is no clear main idea and drawings are not well done Focus on topic is not clear |
| Plot & Narrative Devices | 20% | Characters, plot, and setting are developed strongly through words and pictures Sensory details and narratives are skillfully woven and evident |
Characters, plot, and setting are developed Sensory details and narratives are evident but not consistent |
Characters, plot, and setting are minimally developed, and there is confusion between dialogue and illustrations Attempts to use narratives and sensory details, but does not flow |
Lacks development on characters, plot, and setting in drawing and/or words Fails to use sensory details and narratives |
| Organization | 20% | Strong and engaging description in words and illustrations Sequencing of details are effective, logical, and articulate |
Engaging description and offers details Adequate sequencing of details but lacks depth |
Description needs some work both in writing and illustrating Sequencing is limited and undeveloped |
Description and sequencing needs major revision and is inadequate |
| Voice | 20% | Voice is expressive and confident Fun to read and follow |
Voice is authentic, but lacks some purpose | Voice is undefined and hard to follow | Writer's voice is not evident and gets lost |
| Sentence Fluency | 10% | Sentence structure enhances meaning and adds to reading | Purposeful use of sentence structure | Sentence structure is limited | No sense of sentence structure |
| Conventions | 10% | A strong sense of writing conventions is apparent | Standard writing conventions is apparent | Grade level appropriate conventions | Limited use of appropriate conventions |
You're Invited!
Event: Virtual Awards Ceremony
Join us as we celebrate the writing contest winners and hear the magic lamp stories.
When: Thursday, November 10, 2022. 5:00 PM PST
Where: Zoom. The link will be posted by November 3, 2022.
All contestants, their families, & friends are warmly invited. Also open to the general public.
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