WriteOn Competition

WriteOn is an annual optional writing competition open to all NSW primary students in Years 1 to 6.

The annual WriteOn competition gives students the opportunity to become published authors and develop skills in writing to express their ideas.

Interested students are to compose an imaginative text of up to 500 words, using the image as the stimulus. 

Please submit published writing to Ms H. Lee by Friday, 14th June, 2024 (Term 2, Week 7). Our school will submit one entry from each stage.

This year the competition is held in association with the Art Gallery of NSW. The new stimulus image, courtesy of the Art Gallery of NSW is ‘The railway station, Redfern’ (1893) by Arthur Streeton.

Summary of judges' notes from WriteOn Competition in 2023

Better responses showed strength in:

• making the image central to the writing
• using the image to convey a particular perspective in a contextually relevant and interesting way
• writing coherently to develop a clear storyline that is easy for the reader to follow
• using language creatively and purposefully for effect on the reader
• building tension and creating an atmosphere or mood through well-crafted descriptions
• selecting a type of text that allows for creative expression
• having a clear personal voice
• writing appropriately descriptive settings
• using techniques such as repetition of words and ideas to build text cohesion and drive the plot
• creating believable characters
• experimenting with text structures such as a plot twist or a circular plot
• using well-structured sentences and paragraphs to organise the text
• engaging the reader with original ideas and taking them on a journey
• using effective language creatively
• using sensory description to add detail to the writing
• selecting language that is appropriate to the context and setting
• using original and creative figurative devices such as similes, metaphors or personification
• creating an interesting title relevant to the writing
• drawing on background knowledge or making connections to other learning
• using Stage-appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation to enhance meaning
• adhering to the word limit
• editing their writing carefully, for example to ensure there is consistency of tense.

Assessment criteria for WriteOn 2024

Entries will be assessed on how well the text:

• makes connections to the stimulus image
• maintains the selected form, structure and text features appropriate to context, purpose and audience
• engages the audience in imaginative, interpretive, emotive or creative ways
• uses a range of language forms and features, vocabulary and punctuation.