Writing

Description/Regulations

The L.E.S.T. Writing Event is an opportunity for students to submit an original piece of writing in several categories to be adjudicated according to published criteria. Each school may submit one authentic piece of writing for each grade level, grades 5-8. A “Most Promising Writer” award (Blue Ribbon winner) will be given for writings that are adjudicated as being of exceptionally high quality. 

Each L.E.S.T. Northwest writer may choose to write in one of the following writing styles: 

  1. CREATIVE WRITING: Write no more than 300 words, word processed (double-spaced) in this creative writing piece.  There must be a question(s) the reader wants answered, logic to the sequence of events, a conflict to be resolved and an element of the unexpected.  A surprise ending is not required but the ending should not be predictable.
  2. PERSUASIVE ESSAY: Write no more than one page, word processed (double-spaced) persuasive essay. Persuasive writing utilizes logic and reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than another idea. It attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a particular action. The writing should use sound reasoning and solid evidence by stating facts, giving logical reasons, using examples, and quoting experts.
  3. PERSONAL NARRATIVE: Write no more than two pages personal narrative, based on a real-life experience, with a maximum length of two word processed pages (double-spaced). A personal narrative is a piece of writing describing an event of personal significance to the writer.
  4. ORIGINAL POETRY: Write one poem, either written free hand or word processed, chosen from the following formats: Haiku or Tanka, Free Verse, Acrostic or a poem that demonstrates a rhyme scheme. 

How to Participate

All schools must be pre-registered by the deadline. Registration details and deadlines are found on the Registration Page.

 

Scoring Criteria

The writings will be evaluated in the following categories:

  • Ability to captivate the reader
  • Sensory Images
  • Use of Language
  • Punctuation

The Scoring Rubrics used for adjudicating these writings are available below.

CLICK for Creative Writing Adjudication Form
CLICK for Persuasive Essay Adjudication Form
CLICK for Personal Narrative Adjudication Form
CLICK for Poetry Adjudication Form

 

Schedule

All writing pieces need to be sent to the L.E.S.T. Northwest Director’s attention by January 15, 2026 to be considered as viable entries for the L.E.S.T. Writing Event.  Schools should email each writing as an attachment to the L.E.S.T. Northwest Director (lestnorthwest@gmail.com). The writings will be scored prior to the beginning of L.E.S.T. Northwest and will be on display during L.E.S.T. Northwest. 

Be sure that each entry has the following information on the top right-hand corner of each submitted page:

  • Student name
  • School and the school’s city
  • Grade level
  • Type of writing – Original Poetry, Personal Narrative, Persuasive Essay