ACES National Grammar Day Poetry Contest
Every year on March 4, ACES celebrates National Grammar Day with its annual Poetry Contest.
What is National Grammar Day?
March 4 is National Grammar Day, a date chosen for a simple reason:
“March forth” is a complete and grammatically correct sentence.
The day was established in 2008 by Martha Brockenbrough to promote the use of correct grammar in both written and spoken language.
The contest
The contest invites anyone to submit a poem that captures something about language. It can be about grammar, usage, typos, writing, or editing. What matters is clarity, creativity, and voice.
How to enter
Poem requirements
- Original and unpublished
- Focus on language, grammar, writing, or editing
Who can participate
Everyone is welcome. You do not need to be an ACES member or work as an editor.
Entries are reviewed by a panel of judges that includes the previous year’s winner, along with language and poetry experts. ACES administers the contest but does not select the winners.
Submission process
All entries must be submitted through the official entry form.
You can submit more than one poem.
Key dates
- Submission window (2026): February 23 to March 2 at noon ET
- Winner announced: March 4 at noon ET
The 2027 contest will open in mid-February.
Prizes
The winner receives:
- A one-year membership to ACES: The Society for Editing
- A signed copy of The Grammar Daily: 365 Quick Tips for Successful Writing
- A feature on the Grammar Girl podcast
- Bragging rights
Learn from past winners
See how others approached the challenge and what makes a poem stand out.
Ready to submit?
If you have a poem that captures something about language, this is your moment to share it.