2025-26 Young Writers Competition

General Information for Schools and similar organisations

Communication skills are one of the most sought after and useful skills that young people can demonstrate.  

The Young Writer competition provides an opportunity for the young people of West Fife to put their creative skills to the test. 

Competition Theme 2025-26 – ‘HAPPINESS IN NATURE’ 

The ‘Happiness in Nature’ theme can be interpreted as broadly as the Young Writer wishes and does not need to conform to a dictionary definition. Young people are encouraged to use their creativity to show what this theme means to them. 

Introduction 

The Rotary Young Writer competition is organised and promoted by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (Rotary GB&I). There are three stages to the competition, designed to support and encourage the development of writing skills. Some stages may include more than one round to select entrants progressing to the next stage. 

Aims and Objectives 

This competition aims to encourage young people to:
• develop their writing skills and creativity
• express their thoughts and ideas through the written word
• interpret the theme thoughtfully
• enjoy writing as a rewarding means of self-expression 

Who can take part? 

The competition is open to all young people within the age groups shown below. They may be an individual choosing to enter directly themselves or amongst the entries submitted by a group or community organisation including schools and colleges, home educated, other young peoples’ community organisations, for example, community RotaKids or Interact, Scout Groups, Girl Guides, etc. For entrants with motor control difficulties, an amanuensis may be used to record the entrant’s work to paper. 

Age groups (based on age as of 31st August 2025): 

Junior Up to and including 10 years old
Intermediate 11 to 13 years old
Senior 14 to 17 years old 

Note: Because the qualifying age is based on 31st August 2025, some entrants may have birthdays that would otherwise place them in a different age group at the actual date of the competition. For example, a young person who is 17 on 31st August but turns 18 on 3rd September 2025 is still eligible to enter as a Senior or a 10-year-old on 31st August 2025 with their birthday on 1st September 2025 is still eligible to enter the Junior category. Entrants must include their age on the entry form. 

Plagiarism or Close Copied Images 

Plagiarised or 'close-copied' images are not permitted in any competition. It is important that we protect the work of creative individuals. Whilst we are all inspired by the work of others, there is without doubt a grey area where inspiration carries over to close copying. For our competitions 'close copying' is where, to a reasonable person, the submitted entry appears remarkably similar in significant important respects to a body of work created elsewhere. We are looking for original pieces, not copies, which match the theme of the competition. Competitors must not use any apps which produce any part of their submission, if detected the entry will be disqualified.

Think about your use of vocabulary and language. Have you used powerful verb and adverbs, interesting descriptive adjectives? Make sure you spell check your writing.

Judging Criteria 

Judges will consider:
• imagination relative to the subject
• the ability to engage interest
• the ability to be consistent in the power of argument
• relevance to the theme. 

The judges will not enter any discussion or correspondence regarding their decision; the decision of the judges will be final and not subject to any appeal.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY All entries and entry form to be submitted to Rotary Club by 31st January 2026.

Entry form is available in two formats
- 2025-26-Rotary-Young-Writer-Entry-Form-v.1.docx
- 2025-26-Rotary-Young-Writer-Entry-Form.pdf

‘There is something delicious about WRITING the first words of a STORY. You never quite know where they’ll take you.’ BEATRIX POTTER

To arrange submission of entries contact Aileen North below the image