HUPE in Storyland writing competition

Dear HUPE members,

the time has come to announce the start of our fourth HUPE in Storyland writing competition. The competition starts on 1 December 2023 and finishes on 15 January 2024. The winners will be announced on 8 March 2024.

How to apply?

Go to the HUPE web page (https://hupe.hr/index.php/competition-1/competition-temlates) and download the template form. Once downloaded, fill in the required details. After completing the form, generate a password. This password must be used as the title in uploading the document and it has to be incorporated in the document itself.

All stories must be completely anonimous. No school, mentors or students names should be revealed before the date of the announcement, 8 March 2024.

After announcing the winners, you will be asked to resend your students’ short stories to prove your identity. Check the HUPE web page for the published ranking list, complete with passes, to ensure your students' rankings are accurate.

There are three categories in the competition, make sure you select the category you are applying for.

PRIMARY SCHOOL - 5TH AND 6TH GRADE

Students are invited to write a story up to 1000 words. The topic and the title of the story are of students’ own choice, but the rubric below is obligatory for all contestants and will be used when assessing short stories.

Criteria	1	2	3	4
Vocabulary	The vocabulary is not varied or is routinely inappropriate for the story.	Uses a good range of vocabulary that is often too simple.	Uses a good range vocabulary that is occasionally a little too simple.	Uses a varied vocabulary appropriate for the story.
Organization & Structure	Ideas and scenes seem to be randomly arranged.	The story is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear.	The story is pretty well organized. One idea or scene may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used.	The story is very well organized. One idea or scene follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions.
Language Use *(Sentence structure, word choice, grammar, spelling, punctuation)*	Many errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, which makes comprehension difficult.	Frequent errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, which creates some difficulty in comprehension.	Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with few errors.	Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with very few errors.
Creativity	There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.	The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the story. The author has tried to use his imagination.	The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has used his imagination.	The story contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has really used his imagination.

PRIMARY SCHOOL - 7TH AND 8TH GRADE

Word limit for 7^th and 8^th grade is from 1000 – 2000 words. Students choose the topic and the title according to their preferences, but the rubric below is obligatory for all contestants and will be used when assessing short stories.

Criteria	1	2	3	4
Vocabulary	The vocabulary is not varied or is routinely inappropriate for the story.	Uses a good range of vocabulary that is often too simple.	Uses a good range vocabulary that is occasionally a little too simple.	Uses a varied vocabulary appropriate for the story.
Organization & Structure	Ideas and scenes seem to be randomly arranged.	The story is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear.	The story is pretty well organized. One idea or scene may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used.	The story is very well organized. One idea or scene follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions.
Language Use *(Sentence structure, word choice, grammar, spelling, punctuation)*	Many errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, wh ni ich makes comprehension difficult.	Frequent errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, which creates some difficulty in comprehension.	Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with few errors.	Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with very few errors.
Creativity	There is little evidence of creativity in the story. The author does not seem to have used much imagination.	The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions, but they distract from the story. The author has tried to use his imagination.	The story contains a few creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has used his imagination.	The story contains many creative details and/or descriptions that contribute to the reader's enjoyment. The author has really used his imagination.

SECONDARY SCHOOL

Students from all four grades of secondary school may take part in the competition. The task is to write a short story that is 2000 – 3000 words long. They are free to choose the topic and title of the story according to their personal preferences, but the rubric below is obligatory for all contestants and will be used when assessing short stories.

Criteria	1	2	3	4
Plot, Setting, Details, & Development	Little to no plot line Uses little to no details	Provides minimally developed plot line Attempts to use details and/or suspense, dialogue, and action, but with minimal effectiveness	Develops a standard plot line Less-developed setting Uses a range of literary devices (such as suspense, dialogue, and action). Advances the plot, and keeps the reader informed or entertained	Skillfully develops plot line Clear setting Uses a wide range of literary devices (such as suspense, dialogue, and by action). Skilfully advances the plot, and keeps the reader continually informed or entertained
Characters	Characters are underdeveloped and don’t have an adequate background, personality, or motivation. They don’t feel like real people at all.	Some attempt was made to create a background, personality, and motivations, but the characters don’t feel real. The characterization is weak.	Characters fall just short of feeling real and three-dimensional. They are missing something essential: a fully developed background, identifiable motivations, or consistent personality.	Characters feel like real people. There’s a sense of history and background. They have clear personalities and the reader understands their motivations.
Organization & Structure (Paragraphs, Transitions)	Little to No Structure: Little to no sequencing of ideas Isolated events	Weak Structure: Sequencing of ideas in text body and/or resolution need revision Some isolated events with weak sequencing	Effective Structure: Engaging hook Logical sequencing of ideas based on purpose Resolution	Skillful Structure: Strong, engaging hook Logical and effective sequencing of ideas (structure) based on purpose Clear resolution
Originality (Expression of the topic in a creative way)	No experimentation nor enhancement of concepts. No adherence to the topic.	Very little experimentation to enhance concepts. Does not exhibit creativity.	Sufficient experimentation with language and usage to enhance concepts. Applies basic creative skills to relay ideas.	Distinctive experimentation with language and usage to enhance concepts. Applies higher order thinking and creative skills to relay complex ideas.
Language Use & Conventions *(Sentence structure, word choice, grammar, spelling, punctuation)*	Little or no use of elements of conventions. Many errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, which makes comprehension difficult.	Some use of elements of conventions. Contains frequent errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, which creates some difficulty in comprehension.	Appropriate use of elements of conventions. Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with few errors.	Effective and creative use of elements of conventions to enhance meaning Uses correct grammar, spelling, punctuation throughout with very few errors.

Prizes:

→ FOR MENTORS: free conference fee for the first three mentors in all categories

→ FOR STUDENTS: a gadget (headphones) for the first three students in all categories

The fabulous prizes for our winning storytellers are generously sponsored by our exclusive partner Školska knjiga.

IMPORTANT! The certificates for the winners and their mentors will be sent via mail once they confirm their identity by resending a story. All participants can also get their certificates of participation once they resend the stories. Don’t forget, ONLY HUPE members can take part in the competition.

Finally, it is important to imform all the participants that all the stories will be checked by the ChatGPT Checker.

Thank you for taking part in the HUPE competition, let’s get the creative juices flowing!

Good luck!

HUPE in storyland poster