2024-25 UIL Poetry Categories
Poetry Category A Restrictions
Material chosen for use in Category A of Poetry Interpretation shall meet the following restrictions:
(A) One to six poems may be used.
(B) If performing a single selection, the poem shall be published, printed material; internet material shall be poetry published concurrently in hard copy.
(C) If multiple poems are used, one poem may be unpublished, but not self-authored.
(D) Selections from plays or screenplays, movies, and monologues shall not be used.
(E) Song lyrics published as music only and not as poetry may be used, but their use shall be limited to transitions between the poems.
(F) No contestant shall use the same poet in more than one category in the contest.
(G) No contestant shall use selections from the same literary work more than one year at UIL State Meet.
(H) 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: Recognizing Joy: Focusing on the Little Things
The goal of this category is to recognize joy in even the simplest of things. The overall tone of the performance should be joyful.
In this category, the contestant may read one single poem, an excerpt of a poem or poems, or may create a program containing no more than six literary works of poetry. If a program is used, one poem from an unpublished source is allowed to be included in the program, but it may not be self-authored. The majority of the performance must be published poetry. The performance should evoke an appreciation of finding joy.
For Category A, co-authored and anonymous works are permissible. The poet(s) used in this category shall not be used in Category B of poetry.
When using copyrighted material each member school is responsible for obtaining permission from the publisher for their participant to use the material. UIL assumes no responsibilities for copyright permission to perform material.
Unless published as poetry, song lyrics may be used only as transitions between poems. Although these shall not count as poems in the six allowed in this category, lyrics used as transitions should not be excessive, with the focus placed on the poetry itself. If transitions are sung, the singing should be limited in scope.
The introduction and/or transitions shall include all titles and poets read and should connect the literature to the goal of the category. If the program is woven, it shall be stated in the introduction, and the different poems should be distinguishable through interpretation. If song lyrics are used as transitions between poems, it shall be stated in the introduction.
Documentation Requirements
- If performing a single literary work, it shall be published printed poetry.
- If performing a program, all selections shall be published, printed poetry with the exception that one poem may be unpublished, but not self-authored.
- The contestant shall prepare and provide for the contest director and each judge a hard copy of the UIL Poetry A Documentation online form.
- The contestant shall provide proof the selection(s) are published.
Examples of acceptable proof of published include:
- the original published source
- a photocopy of the copyright of the original source
- online printout of Library of Congress cataloguing information
- If a poem is drawn from a literary collection, the contestant shall supply the original source or a photocopy of the table of contents that designates the title of the book and proof the poem is included in that book
- A printout from an online source proving the poem is included in the published collection. Printouts of online documentation shall include the URL of the website downloaded in the header or footer
- If a poetry selection is drawn from a book containing mixed genre, the contestant shall provide proof the selection is poetry
Examples of unacceptable forms of formal documentation include:
- Social media
- Copying and pasting into a word processing document
See the UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook and the official UIL website for expanded, detailed information about acceptable and unacceptable documentation.
Students are urged, but not mandated, to take to the contest site the original published source of the selection.
Poetry Category B Restrictions
Material chosen for use in Category A of Poetry Interpretation shall meet the following restrictions:
(A) A minimum of two selections of poetry with a maximum of six selections of poetry shall be used in this program
(B) All poetry may be published, printed material, internet material or transcribed material from literary sources, but must be poetry.
(C) No contestant shall use the same poets in more than one category in the contest.
(D) Selections from plays or screenplays, movies, and monologues shall not be used.
(E) Song lyrics published as music only and not as poetry may be used, but their use shall be limited to transitions between the poems.
(F) Anonymous works may be used.
(G) No contestant shall use selections from the same literary work more than one year at UIL State Meet.
(H) 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 B: Inspiring Change: Striving for a Better Tomorrow
The goal of this category is to explore developments that have enhanced our world and to celebrate the positive change over time that has led to a better future. For this reason, students should consider using poetry that spans different time periods.
In this category, the contestant shall create a program containing no fewer than two poetry selections and no more than six poems that shines a light on how our world has evolved for the better, empowering us to move toward a better tomorrow. The program may, but is not limited to, examine progress in medicine, mental health, women’s suffrage, technology, family relations, science, education, societal roles.
Students may use poems from one or more poets. Co-authored and anonymous works are permissible but self-authored pieces shall not be used unless published in hard copy. The poet(s) used in this category shall not be used in Category A of Poetry.
When using copyrighted material, each member school is responsible for obtaining permission from the publisher for their participant to use the material. UIL assumes no responsibilities for copyright permission to perform material.
Songs lyrics published as music only and not as poetry may be used but only as transitions between the poems. Although these shall not count as poems in the six allowed in this category, lyrics used as transitions should not be excessive, with the focus placed on the poetry itself. If transitions are sung, the singing should be limited in scope.
The introduction and/or transitions shall include all titles and poets read and should connect the poetry to the goal of the category. If the program is woven, it shall be stated in the introduction, and the different poems should be distinguishable through interpretation. If song lyrics are used as transitions between poems, it shall be stated in the introduction.
Documentation Requirements
- All poems may be published, printed material, online material or transcribed material from literary sources.
- The contestant shall prepare and provide for the contest director and each judge a hard copy of the UIL Poetry B Documentation online form.
- No proof of publication for Category B is required.
- If a poetry selection is drawn from a book containing mixed genre, the contestant shall provide proof the selection is poetry.
See the UIL Prose and Poetry Handbook and the official UIL website for expanded, detailed information about acceptable and unacceptable documentation.
Students are urged, but not mandated, to take to the contest site the original source of each published selection.