Letters About Literature is a national reading and writing contest administered by the Library of Congress that invites students in grades 4 through 12 to read a book, poem, or speech and write a personal letter to the author describing how the work changed their thinking or touched their lives. Tens of thousands of students compete annually, with submissions judged at the state and national levels. The contest develops close reading, critical thinking, and reflective writing skills in a meaningful and personal way. It is a rare opportunity to connect deeply with literature while competing on a national stage, all at no cost.
Crafting original stories, poems, or scripts that express ideas and imagination.
Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.
Gathering and evaluating information systematically to answer a question.
Writing to convince a reader of a position using evidence and logic.
Students write letters analyzing how literature affected them personally, directly practicing creative composition.
The activity requires close reading, analysis, and articulate written expression to communicate ideas clearly.
Students engage deeply with texts and express their understanding through written analysis, core teaching competencies.
Writing persuasive arguments about textual meaning and personal impact mirrors legal brief writing and advocacy.
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