Kids Writing Contest For Grades 3-5
Theme: Alien in your backyard!
Show us your writing chops by creating your very own alien story. And get a chance to win exciting prizes!Â
Winners of Storybook Category
1st Place
Marc N.
Grade 5
St. Dorothy, Glendora, CA
2nd Place
Paisley L.
Grade 4
Divich Elementary, Las Vegas, NV
3rd Place
Brynlee A.
Grade 4
Coral Academy, Reno, NV
Winners of Comic Book Category
1st Place
Kimber A.
Grade 3
Hoaglin-Zenia Elementary, Zenia, CA
2nd Place
Levi C.
Grade 3
Hoaglin-Zenia Elementary, Zenia, CA
3rd Place
David O.
Grade 4
Ronald Reagan Elementary School, Palm Desert, CA
Closed for Submissions
Note: Submission deadline was August 31, 2021.
Prizes
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be awarded in each category.
1st prize
$75
(Amazon Gift Card)
2nd prize
$50
(Amazon Gift Card)​
3rd prize
$25
(Amazon Gift Card)​
Stan Lee did it. Now it’s your turn.
Your Writing Prompt
Suppose an alien landed right in your backyard. They are the same age as you. What is their name, describe their appearance, and where did they come from?.
Describe how you become friends and share activities. What can you teach this creature?
What can they teach you? How does your friendship develop?
Writing Contest Guidelines
Open to grades: 3-5
Participation Fee: None, it’s FREE
Submit your entry for Alien Story Writing Contest in the form of a:
- Narrative Story
- Graphic Story (Comic strip)
- 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 should not exceed 4 single-sided 8.5X11 pages including the cover page.
- PDF file only, not to exceed 10 MB.
- Can be hand-drawn or digital.
- Any written content should be legible.
- English only
- Include a title for the Comic Book.
*Note: Submission deadline was August 31, 2021.*
- 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 2020-21 school year.
- Only one submission 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. Computer-generated images are acceptable as long as they are your original work (no clip art).
- Story Book should not exceed 500 words.
- Comic Book should not exceed the maximum length of 4 pages, including the cover page.
- Use letter-size paper (8.5 x 11) with black-and-white drawings.
- Only digital copies accepted. No hard copy submissions 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 Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
- 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.
Have questions about the writing contest? Reach out to us at info@talentnook.com
Judging Criteria
Entries for the Alien Story Writing Contest for kids 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 |
Comic Book Rubric​
| Criteria | Weight | Advanced | Proficient | Basic | Not There Yet |
| Main Idea & Focus | 20% | Skillfully combines story elements around main idea Focus on topic is profoundly clear Informative with clear focus and supporting details |
Combines story elements around main idea Informative with clear focus |
Focus needs to be expanded and supporting details are needed | There is no clear main idea Little focus on topic |
| Plot & Narrative Devices | 20% | Characters, plot, and setting are developed strongly Sensory details and narratives are skillfully evident |
Characters, plot, and setting are developed Sensory details and narratives are accurate |
Characters, plot, and setting are minimally developed Attempts to use narratives and sensory details |
Lacks development on characters, plot, and setting Fails to use sensory details and narratives |
| Organization | 20% | Very well organized; easy to read | Has a beginning, middle, and end | Description needs some work Sequencing is limited Little organization; needs transitions |
Description and sequencing needs major revision |
| Voice | 20% | Voice is expressive and confident | Voice is authentic | Voice is undefined | Writer's voice is not evident Little to no voice, needs confidence |
| Sentence Fluency | 10% | Sentence structure enhances meaning Sentences flow throughout piece |
Purposeful use of sentence structure Sentences mostly flow |
Sentence structure is limited Sentences need to flow |
No sense of sentence structure Sentences are difficult to read and do not flow |
| Conventions | 10% | A strong sense of writing conventions is apparent Zero errors |
Standard writing conventions is apparent Few errors |
Minimal grade level appropriate conventions Many errors |
Limited use of appropriate conventions Difficult to read |
You're Invited!
Event: Virtual Awards CeremonyÂ
Join us as we celebrate the writing contest winners and meet our new alien friends.
When: Thursday, September 30, 2021. 5:00 PM PST
Where: Zoom:Â https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88456082817?pwd=ZktSNkk5VVhKMThzS05NWHdtdGdKUT09
Meeting ID: 884 5608 2817
Passcode: 997407
All contestants, their families, & friends are warmly invited. Also open to the general public.
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