Judging Criteria: Oct’24 Writing Fest

Alright, folks, let's talk about the Oct '24 Writing Fest judging game plan. Writing can be a real brain-buster, right? So many words, so many combos, and the way they can mess with your emotions is wild. Now, imagine trying to figure out if a piece of writing is top-notch or not. It's tricky because sometimes you just don't vibe with it, even if it's actually brilliant.

So, how do we make judging fair and square? Well, I'm putting on my thinking cap to come up with a straightforward way to score these pieces without getting all fancy or annoying about it. Here's the deal:

1. Opening (30 points): We all know the start is crucial. It's gotta grab you and make you want to keep reading. If there's no hook, it better build up some serious anticipation.

2. Body/Central Message (30 points): This is the meat of the piece. Whether it's about your daily grind or AI in psychiatry, there needs to be a clear point. How well is it written? Is it convincing, even to someone who's clueless about the topic?

3. Closing (30 points): The ending should leave you thinking or wanting to do something. Does it blow your mind or leave you scratching your head? Does it make you feel good or hit you with a dose of reality?

4. Grammar (10 points): Gotta keep it clean, folks. No sloppy sentences allowed.

So, there you have it. That's how we're rolling with the judging criteria. Let's see those words work their magic!