The 2016 Shakespeare Selfie Writing Challenge
Name: ______
Shakespeare took selfies all the time - but instead of a camera, he used a quill. And instead of calling them "selfies," they were called "soliloquies" or "monologues." When Shakespearean characters talk to themselves, or talk to the audience? That's a Shakespeare Selfie.
THE CHALLENGE
Write a modern-day soliloquy or monologue by a Shakespearean character. Your soliloquy should be based on a prominent news, pop culture or current affairs event from the last year (April 2015-April 2016). It can be in iambic pentameter or modern-day language.
You can write about one of the topics we've suggested (see the pdf on my website), or choose one of your own.
SOLILOQUIES VS. MONOLOGUES:
Soliloquies and monologues are similar, but different. They both involve a single speaker - one character who does all the talking. But a soliloquy is when one character is talking to himself or herself - reflecting on a situation, a feeling - stating his or her thoughts out loud. A monologue is when a character talks to someone else, or a group of people.There are links to examples on my website!
CRITERIA:
□Uses Iambic Pentameter
□Short & to the point
□Non-stop information
□Stays on topic for whole time
□Gets people's attention
□People can relate to it
□Engaging/Interesting
□Meaningful/ relevant to society
□Facts that back up topic
□Significant topic
□Doesn't laugh or break
□Voice is clear
□Enthusiasm in voice
□Good camera quality
WHEN IS IT?
The first draft of your Shakespeare Selfie will be due on April 15th. It will be revised and your final draft will be submitted to the contest (if approved by me) by April 22nd.
WORD COUNT
200-400 words
PRIZES
There is an iPad mini for each category's grand prize winner (grades 7-9 and 10-12).
PAST WINNERS
Learn more about the 2015 winners from the grades 7-9 and grades 10-12 categories (including their winning entries), so you can see what we are looking for! The links are on my website.
JUDGE
Our judge for the 2016 Shakespeare Selfie writing challenge is bestselling and award-winning young adult author Kenneth Oppel. His books include the Silverwing trilogy, which has sold over a million copies around the world, and Airborn,winner of the 2004 Governor General's Award for children's literature and the Michael L. Printz Honor Book award from the American Library Association. Kenneth's latest novel is The Nest.
(And watch out: He's married to a Shakespeare scholar.)