Poetry – Any Style, Maximum 40 lines
All entries must be original and unpublished.
| Score Out of 100 | Poetry |
| _/10 | Universality and Purpose: Why is the poem written? Does it speak to a wide-ranging audience? |
| _/10 | Thought: Does the poem have a worthwhile idea, in wit, wisdom, or humour? Does one thought follow another in an understandable way? Is it concise in its statement? |
| _/10 | Emotional Loading: Are the poet’s feelings clear and abundant? Are the writer’s moods passed on to the reader? |
| _/10 | Title: Is the poem’s title appropriate and effective in furthering the poem’s meaning and impact? |
| _/10 | Originality: Is the poem creative, original, and unique? Is it concrete? Is it personal? |
| _/10 | Readability: What is the reader’s overall impression? Does the poem move/grab the reader? Is it a significant poem? |
| _/10 | Form: Is the visual effect pleasing? If the poem is written in a poetic form (sonnet, villanelle, pantoum, etc.), please state that in the entry. The poem will be evaluated with that in mind. |
| _/10 | Vocabulary and Imagery: Is word choice good? Are images clear and effective (similes, metaphors, personification, etc.)? Are words connotative? |
| _/10 | Sound Effects: Is reading aloud pleasing? Are rhythm and rhyme effective? Are there any special sound effects (alliteration, repetition, onomatopoeia, etc.)? |
| _/10 | The Mechanics: Are poetic conventions followed? Are punctuation, spelling, and grammar correct or at least consistent? |