2009-2010 Poetry Categories
Poetry Category Restrictions
Material chosen for either category of poetry interpretation shall meet the following restrictions: (A) all selections shall be published, printed material; Internet material must be published concurrently in hard copy; (B) selections from plays or screenplays shall not be used: (C) song lyrics published only as music shall not be used in either category; (D) no contestant shall use an individual poet in more than one category in the contest; (E) no contestant shall use selections from the same literary work more than one year at UIL State Meet; (F) selections shall be read in the English translation; however, incidental use of foreign language words and phrases in any selection may be used as in the original.
Category A: Exploring Excellence in Poetry
The contestant shall perform a published poem, multiple poems, or excerpts of poems, written by an award-winning poet. All poems or excerpts of poems read shall be written by a single poet. Works by anonymous poets are not acceptable. Woven programs are prohibited in Category A. See the UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook for clarification. The poet used in this category shall not be used in Category B of poetry.
The poet selected for this category shall have won on one of the approved awards listed below:
- Pulitzer Prize for Poetry
- National Book Award for Poetry
- PEN Voelcker Award for Poetry
- PEN Joyce Osterweil Award for Poetry
- PEN Beyond Margins Award
- Pushcart Prize for Poetry
- Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Poetry
- Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry
- First Book Awards for Poetry from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas
- Cave Canem Poet Winners
- Academy Fellowship
- Frost Medal for Distinguished Achievement
- Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award
- Kate Tufts Discovery Award
- National Book Critics Circle Awards
- Lenore Marshall Prize
- Witter Bynner Poetry Prize
No other award lists will be accepted. Any published poem by the award-winning poet may be used. Nominees and finalists are not eligible.
Documentation Requirements:
In order to meet category restrictions, the contestant shall provide proof their selection is published in hard copy. Examples of acceptable proof include the original published source or a photocopy of the Library of Congress cataloguing information.
If the selection is drawn from a literary collection, the contestant must supply the original source or a photocopy of the table of contents that designates the title of the book and proof the specific selection is included in that book, or an online printout proving the selection is included in the published collection.
For Category A, the contestant also shall provide published proof that the poet is listed as an award recipient on one of the approved award lists.
If an online data service is used for documentation, contestants should print the home page/main index page of the site from which the documentation was retrieved. Printouts of the documentation and the home page should include the URL of the websites.
See the latest UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook and the UIL website for detailed information about acceptable documentation.
Category B: Exploring Poetry
The contestant shall perform published poetry. In this category, the contestant shall select one of the following options for performance: 1) perform a single poem or excerpt of a poem by one poet; 2) perform a thematic collection of up to six poems by one or more poets. The thematic collection may be woven or it may incorporate transitions without weaving. The introduction and/or transitional material should be used to help the audience identify the theme and connection of the poetry. If the program is woven, it must be stated in the introduction.. The poet(s) used in this category shall not be used in Category A of poetry. Works by anonymous poets are permissible in this category only.
The goal of this category is to explore poetic forms that may include, but are not limited to the following: classical, slam, beat, narrative, blank verse, lyrical, and free verse. The contestant and/or coach should refer to the current UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook in regards to weaving of poetry.
Documentation Requirements
In order to meet category restrictions, the contestant shall provide proof their selection is published in hard copy. Examples of acceptable proof include the original published source or a photocopy of the Library of Congress cataloguing information.
If the selection is drawn from a literary collection, the contestant must supply the original source or a photocopy of the table of contents that designates the title of the book and proof the specific selection is included in that book, or an online printout proving the selection is included in the published collection.
If an online data service is used for documentation, contestants should print the home page/main index page of the site from which the documentation was retrieved. Printouts of the documentation and the home page should include the URL of the websites.
See the latest UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook and the UIL website for detailed information about acceptable documentation.
Contest directors will be instructed to ask for proof that the selection is published prior to the beginning of the round. Students shall not be allowed to compete without sufficient documentation. Documentation check may be done in advance of the meet, in a general assembly for the contestants in the poetry contest, or in the room(s) where contestants will be judged.