Judging writing
Recently I had the privilege of judging an essay contest for an organization called Passports to College. The essay topic was: “Think about what it means to be a man of honor. Describe the values your mother has instilled in you that empowers you to be an honorable man who contributes to society?” The writer of the winning essay will receive a scholarship that is to be awarded at an annual mother-son brunch held in June.
The entries were varied in writing style and content, but every one of the young men who submitted an essay had a unique and powerful story to tell. As a judge, I used a rubric by which to assess the essays, taking into consideration the introduction and conclusion, main points, organization, style and mechanics. This helped to break down the scores on an even plane, making it easier to rank them. However, some of the categories are subjective, which didn’t make it easy at all!
Going through this process made me think about how we judge novels and what we base our enjoyment and satisfaction on when we read. I am both a writer and an avid reader, so I find this topic very relevant. Whatever I read has to draw me in almost immediately. If it doesn’t, my interest wanes and I stop. Even the driest subject matter, if handled artfully, can hold my attention, but the writer must ply his(her) talent to make it interesting and engaging. If I get caught up in a story I forget about all the mechanics because the narrative completely draws me in. However if, while I’m reading, I am distracted by poorly written sentences, or characters that are shallowly depicted, or irrational plot progression, then it does not take me long to discard the book.
I keep that in mind when I write my own fiction. Obviously I don’t want readers to discard my book. I want them engaged and reading every page to the end. So when I write, I also have to wear a reader’s hat. I have to judge my own writing and be blunt in my assessment.
Back to the essay contest. Some of the essays submitted were very engaging; others were not. However in my opinion, writing what is in one’s heart and submitting it for public reading takes a lot of courage. So although only one of the entrants can win the contest, in my mind all the boys who entered the contest are winners.
