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Phillis Wheatley Peters: Writing Contest

This guide is part of a project celebrating the anniversary year -- 2023 -- of Phillis Wheatley Peters's Poems. It is a joint project of TCU and the University of Georgia.

DFW Writes Phillis Wheatley Peters Contest

Students in Texas in Grades 3 - 12 are invited to participate in a writing contest with topics about Phillis Wheatley Peters. 

See below for project submission guidelines for Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12.

Submit your project by September 18, 2023 at 9:00pm

  • Winners will be notified on October 1, 2023
  • Awards will be given at Texas Christian University on October 17, 2023

Questions? Send them to DFWwritesPWP@gmail.com

Grades 3-5: Visual Poem

Required Content

Students connect to some aspect of Phillis Wheatley Peter’s life in a poem (no longer than 12 lines) that rhymes or works as a free-verse poem. Students illustrate this connection to PWP’s life using original artwork.

Formatting and Submission

Entries should be formatted using Google Slides or Flipsnack and submitted through the Contest Entry Form.

Criteria

  • Entry includes all required elements
  • Entry adheres to available formats
  • Entry draws on relevant, informational research
  • Entry demonstrates understanding of genre features
  • Entry addresses topic with originality & creativity
  • Entry offers critical insight on Wheatley Peters 

Grades 6-8: Letter to a Contemporary of Phillis Wheatley Peters

Required Content

Students research a central actor or supporter in Phillis Wheatley Peters’ community. Students reflect on the impact of this central actor or supporter and relay in a letter (two-page maximum) their reactions and responses.  Students include two weblinks that indicate the sources used to learn about Phillis Wheatley Peters and her life (e.g., link to book cover, webarticle, video, etc).

Formatting and Submission

Entries should be formatted using Google Slides or Flipsnack and submitted through the Contest Entry Form.

Criteria

  • Entry includes all required elements
  • Entry adheres to available formats
  • Entry draws on relevant, informational research
  • Entry demonstrates understanding of genre features
  • Entry addresses topic with originality & creativity
  • Entry offers critical insight on Wheatley Peters 

Grades 9-12: Multimedia Essay

Required Content

Students research central contributions of Phillis Wheatley Peters to American life and literature. Students represent this legacy in an interactive slide presentation that should include:

  • 2-3 images (with sources named)
  • 1-2 videos
  • 2 links to sources used
  • at least 2 slides of descriptive text
  • 1 slide of bibliographic information

Formatting and Submission

Entries should be formatted using Google Slides or Canva and submitted through the Contest Entry Form.

Criteria

  • Entry includes all required elements
  • Entry adheres to available formats
  • Entry draws on relevant, informational research
  • Entry demonstrates understanding of genre features
  • Entry addresses topic with originality & creativity
  • Entry offers critical insight on Wheatley Peters