The Writing Center Writing Contest

2008 Contest Winners--Congratulations

Kenyatta McKenzie     Academic        Ed Gibbons-Brown    Playwriting

Joey Knapp                 Academic         Tom Hawk                  Playwriting

Anthony Holt                Fiction                Sandra Davis            Screenplay

Chris Szymanski        Fiction                Mike Rada                 Screenplay

Alan Eastwood          Creative             Mike Farrelly              Poetry

                                     non-fiction

Keith Antar                  Creative              Alia Sladeski            Poetry

                                     non-fiction

Every spring the Writing Center sponsors a writing contest for DCC students. Fifty dollar prizes for winners are funded by the Student Government Association. Below are guidelines for students who would like to enter the contest.

1. Any DCC student may submit one work in any/all of 6 categories:
   • fiction; poetry; creative non-fiction (fact-based writing that encompasses memoir, biography, travel/science/nature literature, and the personal essay)
   • academic writing (critical analysis, documented essay, scientific essay)
   • screenplay; and play script
   Works that have been written to fulfill course requirements are welcome. There are no limitations on subject matter.
   
   
2. Fiction and non-fiction/academic submissions should be no longer than ten pages. Poetry submissions should be comprised of three to five poems (there are no page limits). Short plays should have an approximate playing time of ten minutes; a ten-minute section of a longer script can be submitted along with a one-paragraph synopsis of the full work. Screenplays (feature or documentary) should be a minimum ten pages. Double spacing is preferred; please keep a copy for yourself.
   
   
   
3. Click here for the submission form to include with your manuscript in an e-mail to the Writing Center at writingcenter@sunydutchess.edu     The manuscript file must be in a Microsoft Word or  .txt   format.  Do not include identitying information on your manuscript pages.
   Additionally, paper submissions may be given to the lab assistant or a student-tutor in the Writing Center (H503); they must include the completed submission form.

         4.  All submissions will be sent to the staff of the College literary magazine, Exposed, unless you

              designate otherwise.  Contest winners will be published in Exposed, and other entries might be

              chosen for publication.                                                                                             

         5.  Deadline for all Spring, 2008 submissions is February 29 , 3:00 P.M.

         6.  Twelve winners will be chosen from the six categories. However, judges reserve the right not to                award prizes in a category. The DCC Student Government Association funds all awards.
                                                                                                                                                  
          7.  Submissions will be judged by faculty from the English and Performing Arts Departments.

1. • Poetry submissions will be judged for their inventive use of language, control of form, and originality of image and metaphor.
   • Creative Non-fiction entries will be judged on the quality of form and content.
   • Fiction entries will be evaluated on originality of language and on their success in creating a fully imagined fictional world.
   • Academic Writing submissions, such as critical analysis, documented essay, and scientific essays, will be judged on quality of form and content.
   • Screenplays, written in screenplay format, should offer original, well-structured stories. Good character development and believable dialogue are key elements. Successful scripts will evoke strong visual images.
   • Play Scripts should offer original, creative, believable, interesting, and playable characters; plot; theme; and setting, including a strong conflict and resolution.
   
   Students are encouraged to visit the Writing Center to work on submissions.
   
   If you have further questions, please talk to the Writing Center staff.