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Two Minute Tales is a short story competition that promotes imagination and creative writing in Northern Ireland.

For this round, we are looking for writers aged between 5 and 16.

To enter you need to write an original story based on the theme 'What Happened this Winter...' that is no more than 300 words long.

Once you've written your story, it will be submitted into the competition using the online entry form on the Two Minute Tales website OR can be emailed using the downloadable PDF form which must be be completed and emailed to twominutetales@bbc.co.uk OR posted along with the downloadable PDF form to Two Minute Tales, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Ireland, Broadcasting House, 25 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, BT2 8HQ.

The PDF form can be handwritten or typed.

Teachers can submit multiple entries either via post or email after completing and including the relevant entry form with their submissions.

Entries must be submitted by an adult (parent/guardian on behalf of the child or teacher who has obtained the child’s parent or guardian’s consent to submit an entry on behalf of the child).

It opens at midday on Tuesday 10 October 2023 until ***8pm on Friday 10th November 2023***.

The Two Minute Tales production team will carry out the first round of shortlisting.

The top 40 entries will be given to judging panels who will select 3 finalists in each category.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Originality, plot, characterisation, language (descriptive not fluency) and enjoyment.

The judges will select one winner in each category.

The top 12 entries will be voiced by an actor and broadcast on The Lynette Fay Show or Blas on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Ulster in December 2023.

English language categories will be broadcast on The Lynette Fay Show: 5-8 shortlisted entries on Monday 18th December 2023; 9-12 entries on Tuesday 19th December 2023; 13-16 entries on Wednesday 20th December 2023.

Irish language category will be broadcast on Blas: 5-11 shortlisted entries on Tuesday 19th December 2023.

The winning story in each category will be animated and shared on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ NI platforms. All 12 finalists will receive an illustrated storybook featuring their story.

There are four categories in this series of Two Minute Tales. Three English language age categories:

• 5 - 8
• 9 - 12
• 13 - 16

And one Irish language age category:

• 5 - 11

A winner will be selected in each age category and their story will be turned into an animation.

All stories must be written in English or Irish. Entrants to the English language category must submit their story in English, and entrants to the Irish language category must submit their story in Irish.

You can only enter one story - and it has to be all your own work.

You must choose either the English language category or the Irish language category, you cannot enter both.

If you enter more than one story then we'll only consider the first submission as part of the competition.

No - we need an adult to approve the entry and agree to these Competition Rules (including the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s use of the story submitted and the fictional nature of the story) on behalf of the entrant, by way of a check-box on the online form or on the email form or postal form - depending on the mode of entry.

The adult could be the child’s parent, guardian or teacher.

The adult must provide their own contact details (not the child’s).

The personal data provided will be used for the purposes of administering the competition and in accordance with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s Privacy Policy.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will use the contact details provided by the adult to send general updates as to the progress of the competition by email.

For further information please see the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s Privacy Policy.

Any entry deemed to be a copy by our judges will be disqualified.

Your story must be an original piece of fiction and not an account of real events – either historical or current.

However, your stories can:

• feature well known public figures from today or from history;
• take place in historical eras;
• use real-life experiences as a creative springboard as long as the story is fictional.

Entrants can use fictional or real-life characters as a creative springboard, but we're looking for made up stories, which will be marked for characterisation, as well as originality, plot, language and enjoyment.

Stories can be 300 words or under. There is no lower limit, however the more you write, the more content our judges have to mark.

The title will not be included in your word count.

You may correct spelling where the meaning of the word might otherwise be misconstrued. However, we ask that none of the words used are changed.

Grammar also has to stay the same.

Stories are marked on their creative use of language, not on correct spelling.

You may scribe for your child, as long as none of the words used are changed.

Stories are marked on their creative use of language, not on correct spelling.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Originality
• Plot
• Characterisation
• Language
• Enjoyment

NB: The criteria for language refers to descriptive and creative use of language and is not a reference to fluency in relation to the Irish language category.

Any submission will be judged on the same marking criteria.

Your story can take any form - be that a poem, play, dialogue etc - but it will be marked on plot, enjoyment, originality, language and characterisation like any other story, and not receive any special consideration because of its structure.

You will not be able to change any details or edit your story after it has been successfully submitted to us.

Yes, please follow the steps outlined here.

Yes, a parent/guardian or teacher can send in stories via email – you can find out more information here.

If your story has been entered using our online form you will receive a submission receipt with a reference number on your computer or mobile phone screen. If you submit your story via email, you will receive a reply confirming receipt.
The parents or guardians of the 12 finalists will be contacted by a member of the production team by Monday 27th November 2023.

Is comórtas scéalta gairide é Two Minute Tales a chuireann an tsamhlaíocht agus an scríbhneoireacht chruthaitheach chun cinn i dTuaisceart Éireann.

Don bhabhta seo, tá muid ag lorg scríbhneoirí idir 5 agus 16 bliana d’aois.

Le cur isteach, caithfidh tú scéal úrnua a scríobh bunaithe ar an téama ‘An Méid a Tharla an Geimhreadh seo...’ nach bhfuil níos mó na 300 focal ar fad.

Nuair a bheidh do scéal scríofa agat, cuirfear isteach sa chomórtas é ar an fhoirm iontrála ar líne ar shuíomh idirlín seo Two Minute Tales NÓ is féidir a chur ar ríomhphost ag baint úsáid as an nach mór duit a líonadh isteach agus a sheoladh chuig twominutetales@bbc.co.uk NÓ é a chur sa phost chomh maith leis an fhoirm in-íoslódáilte PDF chuig:

Two Minute Tales, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Thuaisceart Éireann, Teach na Craoltóireachta, 25 Ascaill Ormeau, Béal Feirste, BT2 8HQ.

Ní miste an fhoirm PDF a bheith lámhscríofa nó clóscríofa.

Is féidir le múinteoirí níos mó ná iontráil amháin a chur isteach, bíodh sé sa phost nó ar ríomhphost, i ndiaidh an fhoirm iontrála chuí a líonadh isteach agus a chur leis na hiontrálacha.

Caithfidh duine fásta (tuismitheoir/caomhnóir ar son an pháiste nó múinteoir a fuair cead thuismitheoir nó chaomhnóir an pháiste le hiontráil a chur isteach ar son an pháiste).

Osclaíonn sé ag meán lae Máirt an 10 Deireadh Fómhair 2023 go dtí 8in Máirt an 10 Samhain 2023.

Is í foireann léiriúcháin Two Minute Tales a dhéanfaidh an chéad bhabhta den ghearrliosta.

Tabharfar an rogha 40 iontráil do phainéil moltóirí a roghnóidh 3 iomaitheoir don bhabhta ceannais i ngach catagóir.

Déanfar moltóireacht ar na hiontrálacha ar bhonn na gcritéar seo a leanas:

• Úrnuacht, plota, léiriú carachtair, teanga (teanga thuairisciúil agus ní líofacht) agus sult.

Roghnóidh na moltóirí buaiteoir amháin i ngach catagóir.

Déanfaidh aisteoir guthú ar an 12 iontráil ar bharr an liosta, agus craolfar iad ar The Lynette Fay Show nó ar Blas ar ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Raidió Uladh i mí na Nollag 2023.

Catagóirí an Bhéarla ar The Lynette Fay Show:

Iontrálacha babhta ceannais 5–8 Luan an 18 Nollaig 2023
Iontrálacha babhta ceannais 9–12 Máirt an 19 Nollaig 2023
Iontrálacha babhta ceannais 13–16 Céadaoin an 20 Nollaig 2023

Catagóir na Gaeilge ar Blas:

Iontrálacha babhta ceannais 5–11 Máirt an 19 Nollaig 2023

Déanfar beochan de scéal an bhua i ngach catagóir agus roinnfear ar ardáin ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Thuaisceart Éireann é. Gheobhaidh gach ceann den 12 iomaitheoir babhta ceannais scéal-leabhar maisithe ina mbeidh a scéal.

Tá ceithre chatagóir sa tsraith seo de Two Minute Tales. Trí chatagóir aoise Béarla:

• 5–8
• 9–12
• 13–16

Agus catagóir aoise amháin Gaeilge:

• 5–11

Roghnófar buaiteoir i ngach catagóir agus déanfar beochan dá scéal.

Caithfear gach scéal a scríobh i mBéarla nó i nGaeilge. Caithfidh iontrálaithe i gcatagóir an Bhéarla a gcuid scéalta a chur isteach i mBéarla, agus caithfidh iontrálaithe i gcatagóir na Gaeilge a gcuid scéalta a chur isteach i nGaeilge.

Níl cead agat ach scéal amháin a chur isteach agus gan ann ach do chuid oibre féin.

Caithfidh tú roghnú idir catagóirí an Bhéarla agus na Gaeilge; ní féidir cur isteach ar an dá cheann.

Má chuireann tú níos mó ná scéal amháin isteach, ní mheasfaidh muid ach an chéad iontráil mar chuid den chomórtas.

Ní féidir. Tá duine fásta de dhíth orainn leis an iontráil a cheadú agus le haontú leis na Rialacha Comórtais (ar a n-áirítear an ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ úsáid a bhaint as an scéal a cuireadh isteach agus nádúr ficseanúil an scéil) ar son an iontrálaí, trí thicbhosca a thiceáil ar an fhoirm ar líne nó ar an fhoirm ar ríomhphost nó ar an fhoirm sa phost, ag brath ar mhodh na hiontrála.

Is féidir gur tuismitheoir, caomhnóir nó múinteoir an pháiste atá sa duine fhásta.

Caithfidh an duine fásta a gcuid sonraí teagmhála féin a chur isteach (ní sonraí an pháiste).

Bainfear úsáid as na sonraí pearsanta a thugtar leis an chomórtas a riar i gcomhréir le Polasaí Príobháideachta an ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

Bainfidh an ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ úsáid as na sonraí teagmhála a thugann an duine fásta le huasdátuithe ginearálta maidir le dul chun cinn an chomórtais a sheoladh ar ríomhpost.

Féach Polasaí Príobháideachta an ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ le tuilleadh eolas a fháil le do thoil.

Dícháileofar aon iontráil má mheasann ár moltóirí go bhfuil cóipeáil i gceist.

Caithfidh do scéal a bheith ina bhunphíosa ficsin, agus ní cuntas ar eachtraí san fhíorshaol, bíodh siad stairiúil nó reatha.

Mar sin féin, is féidir:
• daoine cáiliúla atá i mbéal an phobail, ón lá inniu nó ón am atá caite, a lua i do scéal;
• do scéal a lonnú i dtréimhse stairiúil;
• eispéiris san fhíorshaol a úsáid mar bhonn cruthaitheach ar acht is go mbíonn an scéal ficseanúil.

Tá cead ag iontrálaithe carachtair fhicseanúla nó ón fhíorshaol a úsáid mar bhonn cruthaitheach, ach tá muid ag lorg scéalta atá cumtha, agus marcálfar iad de réir léiriú carachtar, chomh maith le húrnuachta, plota, teanga agus sult.

Is féidir le scéalta a bheith 300 focal ar fhad nó níos lú. Níl íosmhéid ann. Ach dá mhéad a scríobhann tú, is amhlaidh is mó an t-ábhar atá ag na moltóirí le marcáil.

Ní bheidh an teideal san áireamh i do líon focal.

Is féidir an litriú a cheartú san áit nár léir ciall focail gan a cheartú. Mar sin féin, iarrann muid nach n-athraítear aon fhocal a úsáidtear.

Caithfidh an ghramadach fanacht mar atá sí fosta.

Marcáiltear na scéalta de réir úsáid chruthaitheach na teanga, ní ar litriú ceart.

Is féidir leat scéal do pháiste a scríobh amach, ar acht is nach n-athraítear aon fhocal a úsáidtear.

Marcáiltear na scéalta de réir úsáid chruthaitheach na teanga, ní ar litriú ceart.

Déanfar moltóireacht ar na hiontrálacha ar bhonn na gcritéar seo a leanas:

• Úrnuacht
• Plota
• Léiriú carachtair
• Teanga
• Sult

NB: Maidir le catagóir na Gaeilge, tagraíonn na critéir teanga d’úsáid thuairisciúil agus chruthaitheach na teanga, agus ní do líofacht.

Déanfar moltóireacht ar gach iontráil de réir na gcritéar céanna marcálaThig leat do scéal a chumadh i bhfoirm ar bith, bíodh sé ina dhán, ina dhráma, ina chomhrá srl. Ach marcálfar é i dtaca le plota, sult, úrnuacht agus léiriú carachtair ar nós scéal ar bith eile, agus ní bheidh meas speisialta ar bith de bharr a struchtúir.

Ní bheidh tú in ann sonraí ar bith a athrú nó do scéal a chur in eagar i ndiaidh é a bheith curtha isteach go rathúil chugainn.

Is féidir. Lean na céimeanna a bhfuil míniú orthu anseo.

Is féidir. Is féidir le tuismitheoir/caomhnóir nó múinteoir scéalta a chur isteach ar ríomhphost. Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil anseo.

Má tá do scéal curtha isteach ar an fhoirm ar líne, gheobhaidh tú admháil go bhfuarthas é, chomh maith le huimhir thagartha, ar scáileán do ríomhaire nó do ghutháin. Má chuireann tú do scéal isteach ar ríomhphost, gheobhaidh tú freagra lena dheimhniú go bhfuarthas é.
Déanfaidh duine ón fhoireann léiriúcháin teagmháil le tuismitheoirí nó le caomhnóirí an 12 iontrálaí ar an ghearrliosta faoi Luan an 27 Samhain 2023.