We would define a “rhyming story” as a rhyming poem with a plot, or simply, a story that rhymes.

Of course, poems are welcome in this challenge. But, please keep in mind that a big portion of the score will be based on the overall story, which includes character and plot development. If the poem does not have a clear plot, it most likely will not score as well as one that does.

The rhyming will be scored based on how satisfying the judge felt the rhythm and pattern of the rhyme scheme was throughout the story.

All the judges are different, so we recommend researching different rhyme schemes if you are unfamiliar with them and rhyme your story using a pattern and rhythm that feels right to you.

Absolutely not! While the writers have the freedom to write a story for children, all of the judges are adults and the stories can contain adult material* and situations. Some of the most famous rhyming poems and stories deal with darker themes that are not suitable for young children. Many rhyming works by Edgar Allan Poe, for example, would fit in this category.

*Please keep in mind that stories that contain gratuitous material may be disqualified. For more information, view the Official Rules & Participation Agreement.

The assigned theme should be apparent and important to the plot of the story. If the assigned theme is not easily apparent and/or does not play an important role in the plot, you will run the risk of being disqualified.

An example of a possible theme assignment would be “friendship”.

The assigned emotion needs to be expressed in the story at least once. For example, if the assigned emotion is "angry", then the emotion of anger needs to be expressed in the story somehow through narration, a character's actions, dialogue, or another way. If the emotion is not clearly expressed in the story, it will run the risk of being disqualified.

An example of a possible emotion assignment would be “angry”.