TEXT DEXTEROUS Writing Contest

Sponsored by Writing Zones in collaboration with Pearson/Longman Publishers

Entry Form

Congratulations to the winners of the Text Dexterous Writing Contest!

First place: $250


Justin Lardani

Second place: $150

Tess Amram

Runners-up: $10 iTunes

Angelica Baez

Michael DeStafano

Daicy Magana

Austin McDonough-Fisher

Elizabeth Powers

These talented students of Kennett High School utilized their skills to participate in Writing Zone's Text Dexterous Writing Contest. Open to KHS students, the contest required students to demonstrate versatility in their writing. They were asked to submit two forms of writing: an essay, research paper, lab report, history project, etc. for school (not more than seven pages). The second piece was to be for out-of-school purposes such as a short story, a blog entry, song lyrics, a poem, etc. This would effectively establish each student's versatility as a writer. The pieces had to be original and could include artwork or visual material but could not harm the reputation of others or infringe upon others privacy.

Judging was performed by three experienced writers:

Erin Hurt, an English professor
at West Chester University
Andee Hochman, a freelance journalist
Sean Snyder, a WCU alum and a former Writing Zone mentor

These three judged each piece on originality, versatility, and skill. They would rate each piece on a scale from one to ten, and as they submitted their scores the pieces were ranked on a numeric scale.

The winner’s writing would be used for a book - one published by Pearson/Longman Publishers, who sponsored the contest. According to the official website, Pearson/Longman is “the leading publisher of language programs” in regards to middle and high school level learning. It “has the most widely trusted and respected programs in educational and professional publishing”, and the book involved with the Text Dexterous contest would be part of such professional publishing.

The book is a textbook written by Hannah Ashley, a writing professor at West Chester University and the head of Writing Zones. Pearson/Longman approached Ashley, interested in her availability to write a textbook. Her theory was that writing was based on principles inside and outside of school. Because of this, the Text Dexterous Writing Contest was held, and the winner’s writing would be used for her textbook.