Student Activities - First State High School Communications Contest Rules

Contest Overview  |  Entry Form  | State and National Contest Winners

General Requirements for Entries

• Entries must be the work of students enrolled in grades 9 - 12 during the current school year.

  For students who were graduated from high school in June, work published after February 15 of the spring semester is eligible.

• Students may enter any of the following categories: Editorial, Opinion, Feature, News, Sports, Column, Feature Photo, Sports Photo, Cartooning, Graphics, Single Page Layout, Double Truck Layout, Reviews and Radio/News-Public Affairs.
• A student may enter in more than one category, but no contestant shall submit more than 1 entry in a single category.
• Submit 2 tear sheets (the entire page on which the article or graphic appears) for each entry, including 2 copies of each of 3 columns in the personal column category.
• Each entry must be accompanied by an entry form and a $3.00 fee for each entry (checks should be made payable to: Delaware Press Association).
• Please note that all entries must be postmarked by the date specified on the entry form.

Criteria Considered by Judges

1. Editorial: Editorials appear on the editorial page of the paper. They are the voice of the paper. An editorial is not a bylined personal column, but may be signed on behalf of an editorial board.

2. Opinion: Opinion articles are the voice of the writer, not to be confused with an editorial. They can focus on items of personal nature, social issues, or happenings of the world. They can be insightful and/or critical, but not libelous. Judging will evaluate clearness of style, sound reasoning and effort to influence reader’s opinion in what the writer believes is the right direction. An opinion article, the voice of the individual, is always bylined.

3. News: Shows initiative in obtaining a story that presents new information or a different angle on published information or past events. Judging will be based on general organization, writing style, readability and impact.

4. Feature: An in-depth Topic of interest to readers. Copy will be judged on unusual aspects of the material or the handling, writing style and richness of detail and use of quotes, readability and thoroughness. The material may be a personality profile or human interest piece.

5. Sports: Imagination and good application of sportswriting style in advance, follow-up, summary or feature coverage of events or sports participants. Avoid play-by-play rehash.

6. Column: Submit three entries, two consecutive and any third one. Analytical scrutiny, satire or personal comment on general or special subject that entertains and/or educates. May utilize in-depth knowledge, research, study or expertise.

7. Feature Photo: Photo must have viewer emotional response, eye-catching subject matter and storytelling qualities. No posed shots. Judging will be based on the photo’s quality as published. Original prints are not required. Submit two copies of published version. Note: When entering a photo that was printed as part of a series, indicate which photo is to be considered.

8. Sports Photo: Photo should be easy to “read” and cropped for impact. It should show the peak of the action; capture an exciting moment or a storytelling facial expression. No posed shots. Judging will be based on the quality of the photo as published. Submit two dated copies of the published version. Note: When entering a photo that was printed as part of a series, indicate which photo is to be considered.

Read special message for student photographers

9. Cartooning: Copy may be generated by computer graphics or freehand, and may be a comic strip or cartoon. Judging will consider the text or caption and the use of concept and artistic style. The subject matter is unrestricted. For example, any political, economic or social issue may be covered, or any human relations issue or other Topic.

10. Reviews: Entry should be of interest to the publication’s readers. Subject may be art, dramatic event or music. Article should include some critical analysis and show writer’s knowledge of the subject. Review should be interesting, creatively written and rich in style.

11. Graphics: Entry may be created freehand or electronically. Judging will be on creativity, uniqueness, clarity of relationship to article or publication, and entry’s visual enhancement of the subject matter. Unsigned work requires adviser’s verification.

12. Single Page Layout: Copy may be from a desktop publishing project or from the traditional printing production methods. Judge will consider any number of graphic elements, including typography, photos, illustrations and color. Judging will be based on creative and effective use of elements in drawing reader interest and supporting article (s) content. Unsigned work requires adviser’s verification. (Note: a double truck may not be submitted in the single page layout category.)

13. Double Truck Layout (Delaware contest only): A two-page editorial layout made up as a single unit. Judging will be based on same elements as for single page layout.

14. Radio News (Delaware contest only): Submit a cassette tape containing examples of programming your station did in the public interest or in coverage of a news story. A written statement should accompany the entry describing circumstances of the broadcast or broadcasts. Judges will consider initiative, clarity of writing, presentation and technical excellence. Entry should demonstrate ability to provide treatment of an issue that has impact on the station’s coverage area.

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