What is the Do the Write Thing Challenge?
Do the Write Thing (DtWT) is a national writing program that gives middle school students (grades 6 to 8) the chance to speak out about how violence affects their lives and share ideas about how to reduce it. The Office of the Attorney General has sponsored the local program since 2015. OAG selects one student to serve as Washington DC’s National Student Ambassador, based on their writing. Ambassadors from across the nation are honored at the DtWT National Recognition Week in Washington, DC, where they meet fellow ambassadors, United States Senators, and members of Congress to discuss the issue of youth violence. A collection of the writings of each city’s Ambassadors is placed in the United States Library of Congress for posterity.
Students Write, We Listen.
The Office of the Attorney General is committed to listening to community members and collaborating with local leaders, and that includes young people. Each year, students are rising to the challenge of doing something to end youth violence through powerful written work. Through classroom discussions and writings, students communicate what they think should be done to reduce youth violence. In addition, they make personal commitments to do something about this problem.
"I’m from Washington, DC, where violence tries to raise us, but I’m choosing something different. I’m choosing to believe that we can be louder than the sirens, and live long enough to prove it."
- Paul Gray, 2026 DtWT National Student Ambassador for Washington, DC
DtWT Washington, DC
About DtWT Washington, DC
76
District of Columbia Middle Schools Invited to Participate Annually
1996
DtWT Washington, DC Established
2015
Office of the Attorney General Chairs DtWT Washington, DC
DtWT Nationally
For information on the national DtWT program visit dtwt.org.
3.4 Million
Students Reached Since Program Inception in 1994
27
Cities with a DtWT Program
14
States and the District of Columbia Have a DtWT Program
Below are guidelines and resources about the challenge.
Watch this space for information on how to participate in Do the Write Thing (DtWT) 2027!
Submission Guidelines
Who Can Enter Do the Write Thing?
Open to all students in grades 6, 7 and 8 that attend a District of Columbia middle school.
Entry Format
- Written in English only.
- Approximately 500-1,000 words (Works of poetry, song may be shorter).
- Typed (preferred) or hand-written in black ink.
- Submitted on 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
- Single-sided pages.
- Numbered pages.
Entry Content
- Any form of written expression (e.g. essays, poems, plays, songs)
- Entries must address the following questions:
- How has violence affected my life?
- What are the causes of youth violence?
- What can I do to reduce youth violence?
- Positive and non-derogatory language.
- Fictional writings must be identified as such (Strong preference will be given to non-fiction writings).
- Writings based upon plagiarism will not be considered.
- Credit must be given to outside sources.
Entry Submission
- Entries must be written by only one student.
- "Cover Sheet" with signed consent statement (by student and a parent/guardian) must be included
- See the attached Cover Sheet at the end of this packet (Links to documents are also at the bottom of this page).
- Entries without a signed Cover Sheet will not be considered.
- No personal contact information should appear on the body of the written entry.
- Entries must be submitted in the form they are received.
- Editing by someone other than the student is not permitted.
Review These Resources First!
For Students
For Middle School Administrators
How Do I Submit My Entry?
Watch this space for information on how to participate in Do the Write Thing (DtWT) 2027!
For More Information
For more information, please contact Juan Ulloa at juan.ulloa@dc.gov or call (202) 671-3587.