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2026-27 UIL Poetry Categories

Poetry Category A Restrictions

Material chosen for use in Category A of Poetry Interpretation shall meet the following restrictions:
(A) A minimumof one poem and up to six poetry selections 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) Anonymous poem(s) may be used if concurrently published in hard copy.
(D) If multiple poems are used, the student may, but is not required to weave the poems in formatting the program.
(E) Self-authored materials shall not be used.
(F) Selections from plays, screenplays, movies, speeches, or monologues shall not be used.
(G) Song lyrics published as music only and not as poetry may be used, but their use shall be limited to transitions between the poems.
(H)  The use of AI-generated material shall be strictly prohibited.
(I) No contestant shall use the same poet in more than one category in the contest.
(J) No contestant shall use selections from the same literary work more than one year at UIL State Meet.
(K) 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: Igniting the Imagination through Storytelling

Since storytelling is one of the oldest artforms in civilization, the goal of this category is to share meaningful and creative narratives through poetry. While this reader's choice format allows for flexibility in theme, the contestant should ground their performance in sound literary merit, emotional depth, and a well-developed narrative.

For Category A, poems may be written or retold by either a single poet, multiple poets, or from a co-authored source. Self-authored materials shall not be used. 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 shall include all titles and poets read in the performance. If the program is woven, the contestant should state it in the introduction. If song lyrics are used as transitions, the participant should state their use in the introduction. The different poetry works should be distinguishable through interpretation.

Documentation Requirements

  1. The contestant shall prepare and provide for the contest director and each judge a hard copy of the current UIL Poetry A Documentation online form. 
  2. The contestant shall provide proof the poem(s) are published.
  3. Proof of poetry genre shall be required.
  4. If a poetry selection is drawn from a book containing mixed genre, the contestant shall provide proof the work is poetry.

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

Examples of UNacceptable forms of formal documentation include:

  • Social media
  • Copying and pasting into a word processing document
  • Screenshots
  • AI generated documentation

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(s) of the selection.

Poetry Category B Restrictions

Material chosen for use in Category B of Poetry Interpretation shall meet the following restrictions: 

(A) A minimum of one and up to six poetry selections may be used.
(B) All poetry may be published, printed material, or internet material. No transcribed material will be allowed.
(C) If multiple poems are used, the student may, but is not required, to weave the poems in formatting the program.
(D) Selections from plays or screenplays, movies, speeches, 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) Self-authored materials shall not be used.
(G) The use of AI-generated material shall be strictly prohibited.
(H) No contestant shall use the same poets in more than one category in the contest.
(I) No contestant shall use selections from the same literary work more than one year at UIL State Meet.
(J) 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: An American Mosaic: The Ties That Define Us

The goal of this category is to explore the spirit of American life. Poems should examine the traditions, landscapes, people, or events that define the American experience. This category explores how both triumph and tragedy can shape our identity.

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.

For Category B, co-authored and anonymous works are permissible. Self-authored materials shall not be used. 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.

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. If transitions are sung, the singing should be limited in scope.

The introduction and/or transitions shall include all titles and poets read in the program. If the program is woven, the contestant should state it in the introduction, and the different poems should be distinguishable through interpretation. If song lyrics are used as transitions, the participant shall state their use in the introduction.  Brief original transitions may be used to tie the performance together, but should be limited in use.

Documentation Requirements 

  1. The contestant shall prepare and provide for the contest director and each judge a hard copy of the current UIL Poetry B Documentation online form.
  2. Proof of poetry genre shall be required.
  3. If a poetry selection is drawn from a book containing mixed genre, the contestant shall provide proof the selection is poetry.
  4. No proof of publication for Category B is required.

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.