Expository Writing:
The 5 W's

Contest Details

Expository Writing: Journalist Report
The 5 W's: Write On 20 and 21

This homeschool writing contest starts September 3 and concludes December 5, 2011. All submissions must be received by December 5, 2011.

Age Groups
There will be two age groups

• Ages 8 to 12
• Ages 13 to 17

The contest will judge the ability to use the 5 W's to report an event.

You will need Write On #20 and 21
from Write On: The Kid Friendly, Mother Pleasing Gentle Way to Learn to Write.
You may use it from the text or Download it here.


Directions

• Read Write On 20 and 21 as examples of using the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why.
  
  
• It is recommended that you complete Write On 20 to practice using the 5 W's.
  • This is not required, it is for your practice.
  • You will NOT submit Write On 20 with your entry.
  
  
• Choose an event you will write about for your journalist report.
  • The event should be non-fiction. This is a true occurence.
  • The event may be current or historical.
  • It may be political, scientific, human interest, or any other genre.
  • The event may be local, regional, or international in scope.
  
  
• Your essay should contain FOUR of these elements:
  • Who
  • What
  • When
  • Where
  • Why
  • How
    • You may chose any of these four elements that make the most sense for your report.
    • The elements should be used to develop four distinct paragraphs.
    • The elements may appear in any order.
  
  
• The length of your report is different for the two age groups:
• 8 - 12 year old writers: 150 to 400 words
• 13 to 17 year old writers: 250 to 500 words


• The submission box will appear on this web-page on December 1, 2011.
  • You may enter your submission as early as December 1, 2011.
  • Your submission must be received by 11:59 P.M. on December 5, 2011 at the latest.
  • Winners will be announced on this web-page on December 12, 2011.

• This contest is open to homeschool students between the ages of 8 and 17.
  
• Entries must be submitted in the submission box on this page on the dates specified above.
  
• Parents may assist younger children in typing their submission in the submission box for younger students. The work must be the students.
  
• Plagarism will disqualify an essay.
  

Judging

• Two independent judges evaluated the essays between December 5, 2011 and December 11, 2011.
• Essays were judged on quality of writing, organization of ideas, paragraph development, following directions, and ability to reflect the significance of the event reported.
  

Example of Expository Essay

Expository Essay Topics Submitted

Winner - Age 8 - 12: Josiah - The Tragedy (age 11)
Winner - Age 13 - 17: Kayli - Egypt Holds Historic Elections (age 15)