National Literary Competition

Overview

The National Literary Competition is a writing and American Sign Language (ASL) competition open to all deaf and hard of hearing students in grades 2-12. To participate, students must create original written or ASL submissions in accordance with the year’s theme. The purpose of the competition is to give deaf and hard of hearing students the opportunity to showcase their abilities, as well as instill pride and ownership in their work.

Top contestants of each category will win prizes. Two grand prize winners will get to choose from:

An all-expense-paid trip to Gallaudet
Free registration/ trip to Gallaudet’s Summer Youth Camps
$1,000 scholarship to Gallaudet

Please check back again for the 2024 Rules and Guidelines manual.

SUBMISSION PERIOD: December 16, 2024 – January 10, 2025

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Information

National Literary Competition Results

Check out the resources below for past NLC winners.

NLC Resources Center

High School and Middle School: apply.gallaudet.edu/register/NLC_MS_HS Elementary School: apply.gallaudet.edu/register/NLC_Elem Registration and Submissions period: December 11, 2023 from 8:00am EST through December 22, 2023 at 4:00pm EST*. Awards ceremony will be held on February 29, 2024 (not a live event). Videos and written entries will...

Opportunities Questions

Where can I find more information on the rules and guidelines for the NLC?

See the Rules and Guidelines manual in the NLC Resources Center.

Who do I contact for more information?

Please contact us for more information.

What is the format of the competition?

Submissions and registration is done entirely online. The link to register/submit for the NLC competition can be found on the NLC front page. Students compete as individuals, and there are no teams in this competition.

What are the categories in the ASL and Writing competitions?

For American Sign Language (ASL), we have three categories: ASL Poetry, Storytelling, and Presentation. For Writing, we also have three categories: Poetry, Creative Writing, and Essay. More information can be found in the downloadable Rules and Guidelines manual.

Can I participate in both the ASL and writing competitions?

Yes, we encourage students to participate in multiple programs, co-curriculars, and academic pursuits.

Can I submit more than one entry in the ASL and Writing competitions?

You can submit one entry in each genre of each category. For example, you can submit an entry each for ASL Poetry and Storytelling, and one in Creative Writing.

Who can participate in the NLC?

For the ASL category, students in the 2nd through 12th grades can participate. For the Writing category, students in the 6th through 12th grades can participate.

Can I register as an individual? Or do I have to register through a school/program?

You can register as an individual with your parents’ help OR you can register with the assistance of a teacher/ASL specialist at your school.

Do I need to pay any registration fees for the NLC?

No. There are no expenses for participants. The competition is free.

What is the timeline for the NLC?

You can check out the timeline in the NLC Resources Center.

What is the National Literary Competition (NLC)?

The National Literary Competition is an ASL and Writing competition for deaf and hard of hearing students in the United States and Canada.

National Literary Competition

Monday

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Overview

Information

National Literary Competition Results

NLC Resources Center

FAQs

Opportunities Questions

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