1. All criteria set forth in these pages apply to the Regional, Semi-Finals and Finals Competitions, unless otherwise noted.

2. Competitors will be primarily judged on, but not limited to, the following:

• Overall strength of submission
• Creativity and artistry
• Form, structure, plot
• Grammar, spelling
• Use of Language

The following requirements, if not met, can result in a student having points deducted from his submission, or in some cases, disqualification. Please read carefully:

• 5 - 20 PAGES OF WORK IS REQUIRED. If submitting a section of longer piece, include a one page synopsis.
• Submissions MUST be cleanly typed, single-sided on 8 X 11 sheets of paper.
• Pages MUST be numbered.
• Students MUST include a cover sheet with name, school and category of submission.
• Submit four (4) copies of the manuscript.
• Submissions should NOT be bound.
• Submissions will NOT be returned.
  
  
• SUBMISSION DEADLINE is Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 5 p.m. Submissions MUST be accompanied by application form to the Overture Awards and be included in the same packet with your schools other entries submitted by the Overture Coordinator. No late or separate submissions will be accepted.
  

• FICTION: Submit short stories or a novel excerpt (with one page synopsis).
• CREATIVE NON-FICTION: Essay(s) may not be research papers. They may be opinion/editorial, biography, in-depth/feature story or personal essay.
• PLAYS/SCREENPLAYS: Monologue, one act or excerpt (with one page synopsis).
• POETRY: Submit 5-10 poems
• Semi-Finalists will be notified by mail of their advancement in the competition. No further action is required, as the CAA will forward their submissions on to the Semi-Final judges.
• Finalists must attend the Finals Competition rehearsal, and be prepared to read an excerpt of their work. Finalists must attend the Finals Competition/Awards Ceremony, in order to be eligible for a scholarship.