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2025 Haiku Contest

In NC schools


Originating in Japan, haiku is the shortest form of poetry in the world.
In a short descriptive verse, it captures a moment in the poet’s life or simply expresses the beauty of nature.

For this contest you are challenged to write a haiku in French!

Theme​: "Papillon"

Dates: February 1-28, 2025





What is a Haiku?

A haiku is a very brief Japanese poem of 17 total syllables in 3 lines.  Haiku’s are traditionally nature based and often focus on a seasonal theme.  They do not have to rhyme.  Juxtaposition (compare or contrast) is an essential element of this form of poetry, for example, by closely connecting two contrasting images, or by comparing unexpected similarities. 

What do you see?  What do you hear?  What do you feel?



Rules

  • The haiku has to be in French, written in the classroom with no access to connected devices
  • 1 entry per student
  • Must be composed of a title and 3 lines.  The following order and number of syllables is recommended but not mandatory:
    • Line one is 5 syllables
    • Line two is 7 syllables
    • Line three is 5 syllables


How do I submit my students' entries?

  • Email to afraleighcontest@gmail.com
  • Email title: Your name and school
  • Email body: For each haiku, indicate the student's name, grade, and haiku title.
    You can add as many haikus as you have students in a single email.


2 Categories

Grades 6-9
Grades 10-12

3 Prizes per Category

1st Prize: Large gift basket
2nd Prize: Medium gift basket
3rd Prize: Small gift basket



Results on March 15, 2025! Results on March 15, 2025!


FAQs

  1. How do we count syllables?  More specifically, is a final "e muet" counted as a syllable?
    Generally, "e muet" is not counted as a syllable unless it is preceded by 2 consonants.  However, in this contest, we will accept all options.  For example:
    Table has 2 syllables - but we will accept 1 or 2 
    Gare has 1 syllable - but we will accept 1 or 2
  2. How will poems be graded?
    The poems will be graded according to the following criteria: respect for the form, the theme, evocative character, and the element of surprise/contrast.
  3. Can the teacher help the students?
    Yes, the teacher can help the students whichever way they think is reasonable, as long as they don't use AI.
  4. Can students email their own haikus?
    No, only entries submitted by teachers will be considered. While we offered both options in the past, it often led to confusion, as students sometimes forgot to include important information.



Meet our Judges

Rebecca Rumpf - French Teacher
Deborah Monroy - French Teacher
Anne-Cécile Poignant - French Teacher