LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE RESOURCES

 

Want to provide your students with a visual overview of how the contest works? The Texas Center for the Book has teamed with the Library of Congress to produce a video that quickly and concisely connects the main ideas of the contest into a short presentation ideal for pitching to your class or administrative team.

 

Texas Author, Nikki Loftin, shares the importance of readers connecting to their favorite authors in this short video. Perfect for helping students grasp the idea of the contest. Nikki Loftin is the Author of Wish Girl, Texas' Great Read 2016.

 

 

 

 

Texas Author, Paulette Jiles, shares her favorite memories of readers reaching out to her to share their thoughts on News of the World, Texas's Great Read 2017. This is video makes a great resource for older students to help them make the connection to the idea behind the contest.

 

 

 

 

Help spread the word of the Letters About Literature Contest with these printable bookmarks (PDF). These bookmarks act as the perfect reminder for potential particpants and provide a basic overview of how Letters About Literature work

 

 

 

 

 

Letters Letters About Literature 2017-2018 Certificate of Participation in the National Reading and Writing Competition - Fill out and print the form for participants. The Library of Congress also has a certificate available here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The key dates listed on this PDF will help educators remain aware of upcoming contest deadlines, due dates and other timely details.

 

 

 

 

 

This teaching guide provides a step-by-step process for in-class or at home instruction of a Letters About Literature based lesson plan. The guide offers an overview of both the reading and writing aspects of the contest and offers promts to engage students prior to putting pen to paper.

 

 

 

 

      

 

This printable PDF handout contains everything your student needs in order to enter Letters About Literature. The double sided sheet provides an overview of the contest, a writing prompt, rules and regulations, details on deadlines and an entry coupon that must be submitted with each letter. Plan to make sure entries are in by January 12, 2018.

 

 

 

HOW TO ENTER:

COMPETITION LEVELS:   Level 1 - Grades 4-6.    Level 2 - Grades 7-8.    Level 3 - Grades 9-12.

READ - Select a fiction or nonfiction book, a poem or play you have read and about which you have strong feelings. (Sorry, no song lyrics!) It might be a book that helped you through a difficult time or it might be a book that simply touched your heart or inspired you.

REFLECT - Think before you write. How did this author’s work change you or your view of the world? How do you know it did? How and why are you different now than you were before you read this work?

PERSUADE - Write a personal letter to the author, stating how reading his or her work changed you. Be personal but also persuasive! Support your ideas with specific details, including details from the work itself. This is not a fan letter but rather a reflection on how an author influenced you.

WRITE - Type your entry in letter format – do not send handwritten letters. Your name and complete return address (either school or home) must appear in the upper right corner of the first page of the letter.

SEND - Mail your letter with the required entry coupon by the deadline date. Plan to make sure entries are in by January 12, 2018.

Need some tips to get started? Not sure how towrite a personal letter? Visit Letters About Literature website to read winning letters from past competitions and to access the Letters About Literature Teaching Guide (PDF).

Here are the complete Rules and Guidelines for 2018 (PDF).                                                    

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR LETTERS AND ENTRY COUPON:

For full contest information, including assessment criteria, awards, and how to submit letters and entry coupon coming soon. Please check back.