Madison Writing Awards

Background of The Madison Writing Awards (MWA): Formerly known as "Write On," these awards now include multimodal works that demonstrate the importance of writing and the awareness of sophisticated rhetorical practice. Now re-established as a biennial campus-wide celebration of the best writing-based communicative work by JMU students, the MWA includes recognition and cash awards for outstanding work. The awards are sponsored by The College of Arts and Letters and the School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication (WRTC) and administered by a WRTC committee. 

HAVE YOU RECIEVED A GREAT PIECE OF WRITING FROM A STUDENT? Consider nominating them for a Madison Writing Award. Link to nomination form below: 

Madison Writing Awards Faculty Nomination Form

The Madison Writing Awards Committee invites each faculty member to nominate one outstanding work by an undergraduate student. We're seeking the best work by undergraduates, regardless of medium and genre, from traditional papers to mulitmodal productions.

The deadline for nominations is January 30, 2021.

Recognition and cash awards will be announced after spring break in Spring 2021. 

For more information about the nomination and selection process, please see the Madison Writing Awards Faculty Nomination Form. 

Looking for ways to inspire great writing in your students? 

Spencer Law ('20)

A Journey Inward

Nominated by: Jared Featherstone, WRTC

Course: Honors 361: Creativity, Technology, and the Search for Self

Kaylah McFarland ('20)

Where Would We Be Without Bees?

Nominated by: Shelley Aley, WRTC

Course: WRTC 316: Research Methodologies

Bobby Lambert ('19)

Direct Democracy, Judicial Elections, and the Sway of Public Opinion

Nominated by: Kathleen Ferraiolo, POSC

Course: POSC 492: Senior Seminar Direct Democracy

Hannah Smetek ('20)

Good Night, Baby Girl

Nominated by: Jay Varner, ENGL

Course: ENGL 391: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction

Ezra Cooper ('19)

Place and Replacement/The Present and Being Present

Nominated by: Heidi Pennington, ENGL

Course: ENGL 302: Autobiography and Identity: Making Selves through Stories

Connor Ham ('16)

Wistful: Experiencing and Creating Girlhood Through Forced Boyhood

Nominated by: Jen Almjeld, WRTC

Course: WRTC 486: Writing for the Community

Mackenzie Patrick ('17)

A Non-Invasive Early Diagnostic for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Nominated by: Stephanie Stockwell, ISAT

Course: ISAT 452: Medical Biotechnology

Lauren Hunt ('16) and Katie Byrnes ('16)

The Club That No One Wants to Join

Nominated by: Brad Jenkins, SMAD

Course: SMAD 321: Feature Magazine Production