It is time to submit your best writing to be considered for the EMS Writing Contest.  RULES FOR THE EMS WRITING CONTEST (2004 -2005) SENIORS - Gr. 11 & 12   and   JUNIORS: Gr. 8, 9 & 10 1. Title page: There must be a separate title page with the following information: full name of student, grade, home room, e-mail address, title, and category (either junior or senior, either poetry or prose). As well, the title of the prose piece or poem collection, but not your name, should be on the first page of your prose piece; individual poems should have their titles above each poem. 2. Manuscript: (a) Manuscripts that have been prepared with Claris Works, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Works are preferred, using Times New Roman font. Indicate word processing program used. Double-space your word-processed copy. (b) Typed and double-spaced handwritten manuscripts are acceptable.  3. Original: Entries must be original, that is, entirely your own work. If plagiarism is detected, even retroactively, award adjustments will be made. Plagiarism is a school offence and will dealt with accordingly. 4. Style: Grammar, punctuation and spelling will be taken into consideration. There should be clarity of expression and effective development.  5. Categories: There will be four categories: Senior Prose, Junior Prose, Senior Poetry and Junior Poetry. There will be one grand prize of $100.00. First ($50.00), second ($30.00), third ($20.00), and honourable mentions (a book or gift certificate) may be offered in all categories.  The awarding of prizes will be dependent on the number and quality of entries. Each student may submit one prose entry and / or one poetry entry which could be a collection of a maximum of 5 poems.  6. Rules: The following contest rules must be adhered to: (a) Prose entries may not exceed 1500 words. (b) Poetry entries may not exceed five pages or a maximum of 5 poems. Imagery and original use of language will be considered.  7. Publication: All entries will be returned; however, by submitting an entry, the student also gives permission to have this entry published in the E.M.S. Ink Blots, the school writing magazine The Empress, the Yearbook,  etc.. Outstanding entries will also be submitted to the District Writing Contest. The winning entries of this contest are published in a district anthology and students are honoured at the district Young Author's conference.  8. Deadline: Stories and poems must be submitted by Tuesday, March 8, 2004. Results of the contest will be announced during at the Writing Awards Ceremony on May 5th. Submit entries to any of the English teachers listed below. 9. Further information: If you wish further clarification, see a member of the EMS Writing Contest Committee: Ms. Blacklaws, Ms. Cook, Mrs. Kaye,  Mrs. Muir, Mrs. Moore, Ms. Pylypiuk, Ms. Patterson* (*sem. I) Mrs. Petersen, Ms. Rehnby, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Rodgers, Ms. Singbeil.