Writing Contest

Winter Writing Contest: A Call for Imaginative Young Writers!

Are you ready to showcase your writing talent and be recognized for your creativity? The Mensa Youth Writing Contest invites young writers from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to participate in an exciting challenge! This winter, we’re calling on students to bring their most imaginative stories to life.

Prompt for All Grades: "Describe a magical winter night where unexpected events bring wonder and change. What happens, and how does it impact those involved?"

Submission Deadline: All entries must be submitted by November 25th. Don’t miss your chance to be one of the few selected for publication in the Mensa Youth Blog!

How to Participate: To submit your entry, you must be a Mensa Youth member. You can email gyc@mensacanada.org to request the submission form.

Age/Grade-Specific Criteria:

Kindergarten to Grade 2

• Length: 50-100 words

• Focus: Simple sentences, basic vocabulary, and creativity. Illustrations optional but encouraged.

• Grammar Expectations: Basic punctuation (periods, question marks), proper spacing, and simple sentence structures.

• Paragraph Structure: Stories can be one or two short paragraphs, with the focus on clear ideas.

Grades 3 to 5

• Length: 100-300 words

• Focus: Clear narrative structure, detailed descriptions, and dialogue.

• Grammar Expectations: Proper use of basic grammar (capitals, periods, commas), varied sentence types, and correct verb tenses.

• Paragraph Structure: At least 2-3 cohesive paragraphs with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Grades 6 to 8

• Length: 300-500 words

• Focus: Character development, vivid imagery, and use of figurative language.

• Grammar Expectations: Correct grammar, punctuation, and the use of more complex sentence structures.

• Paragraph Structure: A minimum of 3-4 paragraphs that flow logically, with transitional phrases to connect ideas.

Grades 9 to 12

• Length: 500-800 words

• Focus: Complex characters, advanced language, and thematic depth.

• Grammar Expectations: Advanced grammar and punctuation, varied and complex sentence structures, and minimal grammatical errors.

• Paragraph Structure: Well-organized paragraphs (4-5 or more), including an introduction, body, and conclusion with smooth transitions between sections.

Recognition: Only the top submissions from each age category will be published, making this an extraordinary achievement for young writers.

Show us the magic you can create with your words, and join the contest to let your imagination shine this winter!