Creative Composition - Poetry Writing

Creative Composition events consist of Essay Writing, Poetry Writing, and Short Story Writing. A student that learns to write well will have a powerful tool to reach the heart of others.

• All Creative Composition entries must have been written since the end of the last PILOTS Convention.
• Plagiarism of any kind will automatically disqualify the entry.
• A significant portion of the entry must be written in the presence of the teacher or parent signing/submitting the Creative Composition Affidavit to avoid plagiarism and to ensure the integrity of the entry.
• The Creative Composition Affidavit (AF1) must be filled out, signed, and brought to registration.
• All written entries must be in the English language.
• Students are not allowed to use advanced automated technology (AI or tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, etc.) and are expected to complete their entry without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools. Sponsors must verify that AI has not been used in the composition and writing process.

Themes – Themes for all composition entries may be evangelistic, Biblical, patriotic, inspirational, persuasive, or historical. The theme and title of the entry must be included when submitting the entry for judging.

Before Registration Day – Each school must submit the following early entries digitally at least fourteen days prior to the beginning date of PILOTS directly to the PILOTS Program.

Early Entry Composition: Short Story, Essay, Poetry Writing

Detailed information regarding entry submission will be communicated further via email. Files must be saved and uploaded as a PDF file format only.

Judging - For judging criteria, please see judge’s forms AF2 through AF4 (shown on each event's page).

Print the Creative Composition affidavit (AF1)

Poetry Writing – The true purpose of a poem is to transmit in words a complete thought and yet, at the same time, to move emotions. This is why the student should keep their purpose in mind for the poem (i.e. why it is being written and what effect is being achieved).

Requirements:

• Length: At least twelve typed lines and no more than thirty-two typed lines
• Form: May be a lyric poem, a folk ballad, a literary ballad, or a narrative poem
• Blank verse and free verse poems are not permitted.
• A typed cover page must be included with the title, theme, entry number, and number of lines. There should be no identifying information including the student name or church/school.
• The file with the coversheet included must be saved as a PDF and uploaded to the PILOTS Program.

Tips:

• Read over the judge's form (AF3) very carefully before writing. Judges look for poems that are neat in appearance, complete in thought, and effective in message and impact.
• A poem must have a reason for existence. The emotional impact and a resultant change is that reason. If the poem is correct in form, yet is not logically correct or emotionally stimulating, it will not score well.
• A poem should be more than bland words; it should result in an emotion being felt or conveyed.
• The form of the work is important to the poem’s success. If the form is weak or inconsistent, the poem will not fall correctly on the ear, causing the message to be lost to the reader. Poems should have a lyric quality, though they may not be intended for music.
• When writing a poem, strive for one message to be conveyed. Strive for unity of purpose and skill of execution.