DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Must have at least a 3x5 card. Give one point for each of the following that is present:

• Period
• Country of origin
• Characteristics of style
• At least one source of information (primary or secondary.

AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points)

• 0:Extremely out of period form (Ex., free verse)
• 1:Out of period variation on period form (Ex., rhymed, sestina)
• 2:Period form containing glaring anachronisms
• 3:Period form but subject inappropriate to or inconsistent to form
• 4:Few if any slight inconsistencies in form, theme, subject, method; overall, the work has the flavor and character of its period

COMPLEXITY (1-5 points) Rank the ambition, not the success of entry, based on the following:

• 1:Blank verse
• 2:Narrative verse (rhymed couplets), simple fixed forms ballads
• 3:Sonnets, alliterative verse, moderately complicated fixed forms like the ballad and all other more complicated fixed forms like the double sestina

• Use of puns or double entendres (dreadful puns excluded)
• Good job of mood setting use of period conventions, symbols, allegory, extended metaphor
• Series or cycle of poems; or a very long poem use of period vocabulary; use of kennings in alliterative verse

WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points)

• 1:Numerous mistakes in structure of form, scansion, rhyme, grammar
• 2:One or two major mistakes in structure of form, scansion, rhyme, grammar
• 3:Several minor mistakes in use of form; inappropriate techniques used in form
• 4:One or two minor mistakes in use of form, or inappropriate technique in form used once or twice
• 5:OK use of form and correct use of simple poetic devices including alliteration, rhyme scheme, scansion

CREATIVITY (1-6 points)

• 1:Blatant copy of another work, no originality
• 2:Very conventional treatment of a standard theme
• 3:Hackneyed theme, but some original thought in figures of speech, imagery, or rhyme
• 4:Rather fresh handling of theme throughout some original figurative language, imagery, or rhyme
• 5:Good blend of original thought and period themes; fresh handling of figurative language. imagery, rhyme
• 6:Excellent use of above; could be the work of a creative period poet

QUALITY (1-6 points)

Rate the aesthetic effect and appeal beyond mere technical proficiency. Consider how you react to the entry & how the entrant seems to have related to the materials, processes & finished project.

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points) Must have at least 1 page, 2-3 pages preferable. More is acceptable. Give score based on the following:

• 0:No documentation
• 1:Mentions only form of poem, gives only 1 or 2 modern references for form.
• 2:Includes appropriate time and place for form plus 1 or 2 references (may be modern)
• 3:As in #2 above, plus brief discussion of characteristics of style and/or form: mentions at least 1 period source.
• 4:As in #3 above, plus brief discussion of the particular devices or techniques in terms of the conventions of the times: and if needed, some justification of innovations or explanation of obscurities.

AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points) Give one point for each of the listed period elements.

• 0:Extremely out of period form (free verse)
• 1:Out of period variation of period form (rhymed sestina)
• 2:Period form containing many glaring anachronisms but subject inappropriate to form
• 3:Period form but one or two slight inconsistencies or subtle anachronisms in theme or subject
• 4:No anachronisms or inconsistencies in form, theme, subject. some attempt at proper use of period diction and phrasing.

COMPLEXITY (1-5 points) Find the level attempted and give the points designated

• 1:Blank verse, straight narrative verse in rhymed couplets, ballads
• 2:Simple fixed forms, alliterative verse
• 3:Sonnets and all other more complicated fixed forms

• Use of puns or double entendre (groaners excluded)
• Good job of mood setting
• Use of period conventions, symbolism, allegory, extended metaphor
• Use of period vocabulary; use of kennings in alliterative verse

WORKMANSHIP (1-5 points) Rank the success of the attempt on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the following.

• 1:Major mistakes in structure of form, scansion, rhyme, grammar
• 2:Several minor mistakes in use of form; inappropriate techniques in form
• 3:One or two minor mistakes in use of form, or inappropriate technique in form used once or twice
• 4:Okay use of from and correct use of simple poetic devices including alliteration, rhyme, scansion
• 5:Fairly successful use of devices considered artful in the form (extended metaphor, internal rhyme, etc.)

CREATIVITY (1-4 points)

• 1:Blatant copy of another work, no originality
• 2:Very trite theme and/or very conventional treatment
• 3:Hackneyed theme, but some original thought in figures of speech, imagery, or rhyme
• 4:Rather fresh handling of theme throughout some original figurative language, imagery, or rhyme

QUALITY (1-8 points) Includes both aesthetic and functional quality. Score each as indicated below and add the scores for this category.
Aesthetic

• 1:Overall, difficult to read, reasoning cloudy
• 2:Except for a place or two, reads well, reasoning clear
• 3:Reads well with clear reasoning throughout
• 4:Writer at least attempts more than one level of meaning

• 1:A very boring piece
• 2:A piece that is, while not boring, not interesting either
• 3:A piece that provides at least moderate interest
• 4:Overall, an entertaining piece

Entries must be typed. Limit 100 lines; entrant may submit a longer work and specify a section of up to 100 lines to be judged.

DOCUMENTATION (0-4 points)

• 0:No documentation or very inaccurate documentation.
• 1:Minimum information (time, place, form and/or style).
• 2:Same as #1 plus some detail on subject matter or use of form; at least one period example cited.
• 3:Same as #2 plus explanation of particular devices and techniques in terms of the conventions of the period, the limits of the form, and the subject matter; some justification for unusual themes or devices; explanations of possible obscurities.
• 4:Above plus explanation of the relationship of subject, theme, conventions, literary devices, etc. as appropriate to choice of form and to social context of specified place and time, using period examples. Explains any deviations or variations from period norms.

AUTHENTICITY (0-4 points)

• 0:Form out of period, OR blatantly modern subject or themes.
• 1:Period form but with obviously non-period elements in style, themes, subject; OR period subject and themes, but non-period form; OR obvious mixture of elements from incompatible periods or cultures (e.g. courtly love themes in Norse verse).
• 2:Generally period, with minor inconsistencies in use of form, themes, etc.
• 3:No obvious inconsistencies in form, subject, methods.
• 4:Proper use of period language and vocabulary (or reasonable equivalent if style would have required a foreign language); special effort to use themes, literary devices, language, sentiments, subjects, conventions, etc. as appropriate to form and consistent with each other; appropriateness to a specified time-place context or occasion

COMPLEXITY (0-6 points) Rank the ambition of the attempt, NOT the workmanship, on a scale of 0 to 6 based on the following.

• form (examples: narrative couplets -1, ballads -2, triolets and rondels --3, sonnets and villanelles -4, alliterative and complex acrostics -5, complex fixed forms--6, depending on the way the form is used.)
• language and vocabulary, literary devices (use of period grammar, alliteration, Pennings, puns, double entendre, etc. as appropriate)
• number and variety of conventions attempted (e.g. symbolism, allegory, exceeded metaphor, allusion, etc.)
• subject and theme, including levels of meaning attempted
• scope of attempt (length, etc.)

WORKMANSHIP (0-6 points) ) Rank the success of the attempt on a scale of 0 to 6 based on the following.

• application of form (including technical details of rhyme, meter, alliteration, etc. as applicable)
• use of language and vocabulary, including grammar and literary devices
• clarity and logic
• use of conventions as appropriate
• rhythm, balance, flow, sound

CREATIVITY (0-4 points)

• 0:Blatant copy or rehash of existing work; OR illogical to context of period.
• 1:Trite theme; by-the-book use of form.
• 2:Logical combination of standard elements with some original couches logical to period context.
• 3:Original development of subject and logical, innovative use of details.
• 4:Fresh, original treatment of theme integrated with innovative use of form, all in manner logical to period context; special appropriateness to time, place, person, occasion, or situation as specified.

QUALITY (1-6 points)

Evaluate the work as a whole. NOTE: This category is subjective; however, the judge should take into account prior category scores, aesthetic appeal, presentation, intuitive response, and other such items not previously addressed.