Poetry Contest Rules and Entry Forms
For Grades PreK – 8th
1. All poems should have a title and author acknowledgement at the top of the
page.
2. Poems must easy to read. Entries may be hand written or typed, but the
words must be legible.
3. Illustrations or photos may be included, so long as the poem can be clearly
read. While visual presentation is important, entries can only be judged on
poem content, not art work.
4. Poems should be no longer than one page long.
5. Both entry forms must be included, stapled to the BACK of the poem. Be
sure to include the poetry type, and the rules to that form, if applicable.
Free verse poems can simply be identified as such.
6. All entries need to be in to Newfane Free Library by Friday, April 4th.
By entering your poem, you consent to having your poem on display at the Newfane
Library. Winners will be notified by phone and are expected to read their poems
at the Poetry Contest Celebration on Thursday, May 1st.
Entries submitted with a class will be returned to the teacher. Individual entries
must be picked up within three week's time after the Poetry Contest Celebration.
Since poems are being given to Education Students at Niagara County Community
College for initial evaluation, it is recommended that you keep a copy of your work
on file.
Good Luck! 
Newfane Free Library Poetry Contest Form #1
Name:
Title of Poem:
Grade:
Age:
Teacher:
Poetry Form:
Poetry Form Guidelines: (Use back if additional space is needed.)
-------------------------------------CUT--------------------------------------
Newfane Free Library Poetry Contest Form #2
Name:
Title of Poem:
Grade:
Age:
Teacher:
Poetry Form:
Poetry Form Guidelines: (Use back if additional space is needed.)
SAMPLE POEM WITH SAMPLE FORM #1
Old Man with a Flute
By Edward Lear
There was an old man with a flute.
A serpent ran into his boot;
But he played day and night,
‘Til the serpent took flight,
And avoided that man with the flute.
Newfane Free Library Poetry Contest Form #1
Name: Edward Lear
Title of Poem: “Old Man with a Flute”
Grade: 5th
Age: very old!
Teacher: Ms. E.B. Browning
Poetry Form: Limerick
Poetry Form Guidelines: (Use back if additional space is needed.)
8, 8, 5, 5, 8 syllable pattern with an A A B B A Rhyme pattern
Usually expresses something silly or nonsensical.
Poetry Judging Rubric
*Form: Did the poem follow the poetic rules of the form? (Haiku, limerick, etc.)
*Organization and Mechanics: Does the poem make logical breaks from one line to
the next? Does it adhere to basic spelling and grammatical rules, so the content is
clearly understood?
*Poetic Devices: Are the poetic devices, such as rhyme, alliteration,
personification, imagery, etc., used effectively in the poem?
*Word Selection: Did the poem choose unique ways to express the ideas presented
in the poem? Does it avoid common or overused imagery? (For example, “the sky is
blue”.)
*Comprehension/Coherence: Do ideas fit together to create a whole? Is the
meaning of the poem realized?
Poetry Contest Judging Score Sheet
Please Circle One for Each:
5-Excellent! 4-Good! 3-Suitable
2-Almost
1-Not Quite Yet
Form:
5
4
3
2
1
Organization & Mechanics:
5
4
3
2
1
Poetic Devices:
5
4
3
2
1
Word Selection:
5
4
3
2
1
Comprehension/Coherence:
5
4
3
2
1
One part of the poem that was exceptional: ________________
_________________________________________________
Overall Rating: 5
4
3
2
1