Once you learn how to edit effectively, and become more confident doing it, editing your piece won’t seem nearly as confronting.Įven when it’s not explicitly stated in the competition guidelines that editing will be considered, you can be certain that any judge will look more favorably on a well-edited piece than a poorly edited one. You’ll need to be vigilant in your search for typos, punctuation errors, structural weaknesses, cliches, overused words and any other problems. A simple way to impress the judges of a writing contest is to make sure you have read and reread your article for errors. Edit, edit, editĪny writer will tell you that writing is only half the battle- editing is where the real beast lies. Everyone likes being able to see themselves in a piece of writing- make sure your piece speaks to everyone. For instance, instead of writing about the impact a certain policy has on you, write about how it has affected your town, city, or the country as a whole. Try to write in a way which will allow anyone who reads your submission to find something they can identify with, or at least relate to. Unless the competition calls for it, try not to make your writing too specific to yourself. A judge is far more likely to remember your piece of writing if it prompted them to feel, think, or even reflect or question their own views. Whatever topic you write about, try to hone in on an aspect which has the potential to tap into the reader’s experiences or bring about meaningful reaction in them. One of the hard and fast rules about writing well is to write in a way that emotionally engages the reader. Your submission should have a uniform style, from punctuation to stylistic features like the font and headings. Your characters should consistently reflect the personality and behavioral characteristics you attached to them in all their actions and dialogue. It is important that you do not have any plot holes, as this will throw out the whole balance of your story. If you’re writing a story, you will need to develop the plot and characters skillfully. Be sure to highlight your standpoint with supporting evidence at all times. This is a common error of inexperienced writers, who have a tendency to flip flop on their views throughout. If you are arguing in favor of something, for example, don’t backtrack on your words later on in the piece. If you’re writing an essay or analysis, assert your standpoint or message from the beginning and ensure it is evident right through to the end. This rule applies to any type of piece- from a nonfiction essay to a short story or poem. Organize your ideas so that there is a clear flow and structure. In order to ensure your submission demonstrates consistency, consider the following areas: Without consistency, your piece will be challenging for the judges to read. Remember, as long as you can back up what you say and convey your ideas effectively, adopting a unique approach is easy way to make your submission stand out.Ĭonsistency is a fundamental tenet of solid writing. Another important tip is to stay away from cliched phrases or anything that sounds overused and stale. Push yourself to take a different perspective. But once you think about all the other people who took a similar one, it doesn’t seem like such a safe bet after all. Sure, it’s “safer” to take the usual angle to a topic if you’re confident you can do it well. Try to consider the given topic from a number of angles. Whether it be a different perspective, an innovative idea or perhaps a controversial topic, your submission should be memorable. How? Give the judges something to “chew on”. This means your goal should be to make your submission stand out. Think about this: Hundreds or thousands of other people are likely to apply for the same competition as you. Of course, your writing should be captivating from the first word to the last, but especially in the case of a writing contest, it should be one of your top priorities to ensure that the judges give your piece the consideration it deserves. The golden handful that are read properly are the submissions that capture the reader from the very beginning.
The harsh truth is that due to time constraints and the large volume of entries received, many writing contest judges simply flick through the submissions they receive. Would you be inclined to continue reading a submission if the first line is dull, cliche, or doesn’t convey its intention effectively? “The first sentence sets the tone for the entire piece.” You may have heard similar advice many times before, but it really does hold true of trying to produce a memorable piece of writing. Are you interested in entering a writing contest, but don’t know how to win? After reading these seven tips, you’ll become a surefire contender for winning the top prize.
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