• One entry per student
• Open to San Diego County students in grades K – 12
• Poems must be original and inspired by the theme FREEDOM
• Due Date is 12:00 midnight on February 29th, 2024
• Written text is required. Recorded text is optional
• Poems will be disseminated via a digital magazine and displayed in libraries and businesses throughout the county
• Select poems will be presented at a live event in Spring 2024
• Parent or Guardian permission is required for students under 18
• Submission of entry form grants Write Out Loud non-exclusive reproduction, recording and publication rights to the works submitted and permission to use your name, photograph and images/recordings of your entry for outreach and media purposes
• Submission of complete entry form shall be deemed acceptance of all contest rules, as well as permission to present the work in the digital magazine

FREEDOM Poetry workshops are offered FREE of charge, and are designed to be an exploratory brainstorming opportunity for students to explore multiple poetic forms and elements through their own lived experience. Students will read and discuss an assortment of 3 – 5 short poems that focus on both form and content, such as haiku, sense poems, imagist poems, free-form, etc. A Teaching Artist will guide writing exercises where the students will write their own poem in the same style or genre. Simile, metaphor, imagery, alliteration, consonance, and other common poetic devices are incorporated into the writing activities.

Approximate Length: 45 – 60 minutes (one class period)

For information about Poetry Workshops please contact wolrachael@gmail.com