The Star is sponsoring our annual poetry contest in honor of National Poetry Month, held every year in April.

Winning entries will be published in the March – April edition of the Steinmetz Star. Certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place poems also will be awarded to poets.

All students are welcome to contribute. There is no limit on the number of poems students may submit.

Send your original poetry to steinmetzstarnews@gmail.com by Tuesday, March 31.

Poems will be judged by Star reporters and editors.

Criteria for Original Poems

1. Composition

• Artistic combination of the elements of poetry in verse that evokes reader response

2. Meaningful Content

• Clear and appropriate topic
• Understandable, coherent structure
• Emotional impact

3. Natural Language

• Original personal style
• Clarity of author’s voice
• Avoidance of grammatical distortions
• Avoidance of clichés and trite phrases

4. Imagery

• Vivid description
• Figurative language — may include use of  metaphor, simile, personification, allusion, and other poetic devices appropriate to the subject.

5. Precise Word Choice

• Specific rather than general vocabulary
• Concise, omitting unnecessary words and phrases
• Expression suitable for publication

6. Effective Sound Patterns

Preferably uses some forms of

• Rhyme, alliteration, assonance, other unforced devices
• Metrical pattern
• Line length pattern
• Repetitive form

7. Mechanics

• Legibility
• Correct grammar
• Correct spelling