The categories are discussed and defined in more detail in the UIL Prose and Poetry Interpretation Handbook available through the League office. Coaches are responsible for reviewing it. Poets from the countries of North America, Central America and South America and their territories within the Western Hemisphere are excluded. A published poem by an anonymous poet is not permissible. The poet used in this category may not be used in the other poetry category.
Documentation is required.
Documentation for Category A. Biographic information showing the birthplace, nationality or citizenship of the poet is required in Category A and shall be available for the contest director. Contest directors must ask for and verify written documentation prior to the beginning of the round. Students shall not be allowed to compete without sufficient documentation. Examples of acceptable documentation include the original or a photocopy of an excerpt from a reference book which establishes the poet's nationality, citizenry or place of birth outside the Americas, or a published newspaper, biographical sketch, magazine article or book jacket which states the poet's nationality, citizenry or birthplace is outside the Americas. If an on-line data service is used for documentation, the source of the published material should be included.