WORDSMITHS WRITING CONTEST

Wordsmith /’w rd,smiTH/: a craftsperson who works words into usable forms; a skilled user of words

Current Contest:


"The Secret History of Everyday Things"

Have you ever stopped to wonder where everyday objects come from? Who invented them? How have they changed over time?

For this contest, your challenge is to research the history and evolution of any ordinary object and turn what you learn into a classic “five-paragraph” essay (although it doesn’t need to have exactly five paragraphs). Younger writers who need a simpler format may use the “hamburger paragraph” approach—a single paragraph containing a topic sentence (top bun), supporting details (filling), and a concluding sentence (bottom bun).

Your essay should include:

  • Introduction & Thesis/Topic Sentence: Introduce your object and give a clear idea of what your paper will cover.
  • Body Paragraphs (or Sentences): Share at least three supporting details, such as (1) the invention of your object, (2) how it’s changed over time, and (3) how we use it today.
  • Conclusion: Wrap up by summarizing what you’ve explained and why your object’s history matters.

For example, if we were writing about the paperclip, our essay might explain:

  • Introduction: Why the paperclip is useful and what the essay will cover.
  • Body Paragraph 1: Early ways people held papers together.
  • Body Paragraph 2: The invention of the Gem paperclip.
  • Body Paragraph 3: Different types and variations of paperclips available today.
  • Conclusion: A summary of how the paperclip has remained a simple but important tool for organizing papers.

Now it’s your turn! Choose your own everyday object (but not a paperclip)—something you use often but might not know the full story about—and dig into its past. If you’re struggling to think of a topic, look around you as you go through your day and notice what you see. You may be surprised by what you discover.

Entries due: 11:59 PM on FRIDAY, November 21, 2025

Word Limit: 500 words

PRIZES:

First, second, and third place winners in each age group will be printed in The Homeschooler Magazine. Other entries may be but are not guaranteed to be published.

Prizes are as follows:

Age Divisions 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
5-8 Years Old $50 $30 $20
9-12 Years Old $75 $45 $30
13-18 Years Old $100 $60 $40

RULES:

Submission of entry into this contest constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.

  • Entrants must be residents of Utah and must be must be between the ages of 5–17 as of Sept. 1, 2025 (Turning 18 during the school year is OK). Entrants must be participating in homeschool during the 2025-2026 school year.
  • Only one writing contest entry is allowed per student per contest. Students MAY submit student spotlights, book reviews, big wins, AND one entry in the writing contest.
  • No vulgarity, profanity, gratuitous violence, or “adult themes” are allowed. Entries must be “family friendly” and suitable for reading by children and adults of all ages.
  • AI is strictly prohibited and may NOT be used in any form at any stage of writing. You may NOT use ChatGPT, Grammarly, or any other AI to brainstorm essay ideas, generate an outline, write any text, or improve text you have written. All words should be the student’s own. Spell check is OK.
  • Entries must be the student’s own original work and must not copy from books, movies, or online content. Entries that contain plagiarism will be disqualified.
  • All entries must be in English.
  • All entries must be typed and submitted digitally. No hard-copy entries or pictures of hand-written entries will be accepted.
  • Copyright remains with the author, but The Utah Homeschooler has the right to publish it in the magazine, post it on their website, or use it for promotional materials.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Student’s first and last name, age, and mailing address. (Only first name and last initial will be published.)
  • Student’s typed writing contest entry; can be included in the body of the email, attached as a word document or PDF, or shared as a Google Doc file. If formatting matters (i.e. for some poetry), attach it as a PDF to preserve the formatting.
  • Entry title
  • A photo of the student that shows their face
  • A signed Rules Agreement & Publication Release waiver (click here to get it). Please note that a new signed agreement is required for each contest.

Entries must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on Friday, November 21, 2025. Send entries to:

JUDGING:

Entries will be divided into three age groups for judging: 5-8 year olds, 9-12 year olds, and 13-18 year olds. They will be judged on the following criteria, adjusted to age-appropriate expectations:

Ideas: Does the essay clearly explain the history and evolution of the chosen object with accurate and interesting information?

Organization: Does the essay follow a clear structure with an introduction, supporting sentences or paragraphs, and a conclusion?

Word Choice: Are the words clear, precise, and appropriate, helping the reader understand the object, its history, and uses?

Voice: Does the writing have a clear and engaging tone? Is the voice consistent and appropriate for the scene being described?

Conventions: Is the writing polished with correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation? Does it follow the word limit and contest rules?

GUIDELINES FOR PARENT INVOLVEMENT:

Each writing contest in The Utah Homeschooler is intended to help students practice a specific writing skill. For this issue, we encourage parents to teach their students how to write an informational essay before having them write their entry for this contest. Parents can choose another subject (or just another everyday object) and research, organize, and write an example essay with their children. By demonstrating the entire process, parents can empower their students to complete their writing contest entry independently.

  1. Research Help
    Parents may teach children how to find reliable sources (books, websites, videos) and may even help them find sources for their chosen topic. Parents may read and discuss the sources with their children. Older children are encouraged to summarize and take notes on their own. Parents may transcribe notes for younger children or encourage them to highlight or underline important information.
  2. Planning the Essay
    Parents may teach their children how to write a proper essay. They may explain how to organize ideas into an outline with an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. They may ask their child guiding questions to help them figure out what information should go where, but should not create the outline for them or tell them how to fill it in.
  3. Writing
    Once the outline has been created, students should write the actual essay on their own. Parents are encouraged to transcribe for younger children, as they often have thoughts and ideas far beyond what their hands can manage.
  4. Proofreading
    Parents may correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization after the essay is written, but should not add, remove, or rearrange words, sentences, or paragraphs. Ideas and voice are far more important than correct spelling and punctuation.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

If you're struggling with the research portion of your essay, start by asking questions about your topic. What do you want to know about it? What did it look like during different periods in history? When was it invented, and by whom, where, and why? What were the circumstances surrounding its invention? What did it originally look like, or how did it originally work? How has it changed over time, and how is it different now?

Try to organize these questions into three main categories to serve as your body paragraphs. Then begin looking for the answers. Write down key words and phrases (not complete sentences, so you aren’t plagiarizing) until you have enough information to write several sentences about each category. Starting with questions will help you know what to look for in your research and when you have enough.

Want to see some examples? Click here to read sample paperclip essays at various skill levels.

If you need more help, check out the videos or blog posts below. Be aware they have been selected for their educational value and engagement, but they have not been reviewed in full. Please review the content prior to use to ensure it meets your family’s standards before sharing with your children.