Writing Contest

Check back for the opening of the 2025 Denton Writing Contest, presented by the Writing Center. Two prizes will be awarded in each category.

Below are guidelines for students who want to enter the contest. Fourteen winners will be chosen from the seven categories. However, judges reserve the right not to award prizes in a category. Prizes are funded by the Office of Student Activities. Submissions will be judged by faculty from the English department and the Performing Arts department. Students are encouraged to contact the Writing Center to work on submissions with our tutors.

Categories and Criteria

• Poetry submissions will be judged for their inventive use of language, control of form, and originality of image and metaphor. Submissions must include at least three poems.
• Creative Non-fiction entries will be judged on their ability to blend factual truth with literary techniques.
• 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.
• Math and Science submissions (analyses, lab reports, reviews) will be judged on the clarity of expression, the quality of research, and, where appropriate, fidelity to scientific method.

Submission Guidelines

Contest open to current DCC students only. On a separate cover sheet, include the heading of “Writing Contest Entry,” your name, email address, phone number, and submission category – NOT on the first page of the manuscript. Works are given to the judges without identification. Submit your entry as an email attachment to: writingcenter@sunydutchess.edu (must be in MS Word or .txt format). Electronic submissions are highly encouraged, although paper copies will be accepted in the Writing Center. If you have further questions, please talk to the Writing Center staff.

SEE THE 2021 WINNERS!