Although 75% of young people believe that to be a good writer you have to enjoy writing, it seems that fewer than 50% of them do indeed get pleasure out of putting words together. The National Literacy Trust, together with the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS), is determined to improve matters by means of a competition and resources especially devised to engage secondary school students in writing, and – also a key issue in this age of digital downloading – to teach them about copyright, and the importance of protecting creativity
To enter the competition, called Write On, participants are being asked to write an original poem expressing their thoughts about perceptions of and attitudes towards today’s young people; four professional young poets have already penned works on the subject, which can be used as a stimulus for discussion. Prizes include signed poems, Amazon vouchers and a computer for students; and a performance and a writing workshop from Dean Atta for schools. To find out more or register, visit literacytrust.org.uk/ competitions. Entries must be submitted by 5pm, March 29th 2013.
