We get it. Writing your entry to a competition can be daunting. To help get you started with your first short story, poem, screenplay, play script or article, we’ve compiled resources to give you ideas and tips on how to get started.
When you’re ready, don’t forget to upload your entry to this year’s competition, here!
Short Story
Read Write Think: Help a child write a story http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/tips-howtos/help-child-write-story-a-30593.html
Oxford Learning: How to improve Writing Skills for Kids, 14 Steps https://www.oxfordlearning.com/improve-kids-writing-skills/
The Guardian: Writing tips for kids from children’s authors https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/series/writing-tips-for-kids-from-children-s-authors
The School Run: Creative writing for children https://www.theschoolrun.com/creative-writing-for-children
Bookstart: Let’s write a story http://www.bookstart.org.uk/books/lets-write-a-story/
Kumon: Top 5 creative writing tips for children http://www.kumon.co.uk/blog/top-five-creative-writing-tips/
Corey Green: Story writing tips for kids http://www.coreygreen.com/storytips.html
Poetry
Michael Rosen’s video tips for creating a poetry friendly environment http://www.childrenslaureate.org.uk/previous-laureates/michael-rosen/michael-rosen-poetry-video-tips/
Kenn Nesbitt’s Poetry 4 Kids https://www.poetry4kids.com/lessons/poetry-writing-lessons/
Read Write Think: Help a child write a poem http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/tips-howtos/help-child-write-poem-30317.html
My Kids’ Adventures: How to Write a poem with your kids http://www.mykidsadventures.com/write-a-poem/
The School Run: Inspire your child to write poetry https://www.theschoolrun.com/inspire-your-child-write-poetry
The Guardian: Reluctant writer? 10 top tips to help primary pupils write poetry https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2016/apr/27/10-top-tips-help-primary-pupils-write-poetry-poem
Play script
BBC Bitesize: How to set out a play script http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/standard/english/lit_form/script/revision/1/
Teach Kids How: Teach your child how to write and produce a play http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-write-and-produce-a-play/
Screenplay
MENSA: Writing a screenplay http://www.mensaforkids.org/MFK2/assets/File/Teach/LessonPlans/Lesson_screenplays.pdf
Pens to Lens: Building blocks of a script http://penstolens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/WorksheetA.pdf
Pens to Lens: Formatting a script http://penstolens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/WorksheetB.pdf
Pens to Lens: Understand a screenplay http://penstolens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/WorksheetC.pdf
Pens to Lens: Format the script http://penstolens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/WorksheetD.pdf
Pens to Lens: Write an adaptation http://penstolens.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/WorksheetE.pdf
Journalism
BBC: School report http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/school_report/resources_for_teachers/9525297.stm
BBC: School report – practical tips http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/16057615
Society of Professional Journalists: Quick tips for being a smarter reporter http://www.spj.org/rrr.asp?ref=56
Ready? Now you’re set to upload your entry to the competition, here!