News Publication

ONLINE MEDIA CATEGORIES: Submit the URL for the entry.

  • O1 – Online Story Package (LIMIT THREE ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): This entry should consist of a news, feature or sports package from an online website. The package should consist of several story elements that are all related to a single story idea connected to a timely event. The online package may consist of text, photos, infographics, sidebars, video, maps, interactive reader items,  linked social media coverage — anything and everything that shows your staff fully engaged using multiple methods to tell the story online.

NEWS DESIGN CATEGORIES: Entry limit varies per category. For Front Page Layout, select N1A or N1B depending on your publication’s format. For each category, include one PDF of the entire newspaper page/spread.

  • N1A – Newspaper Front Page Design (LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER SCHOOL): The newspaper uses clean design to grab readers’ attention and guide them from story to story. Superior entries will use strong packaging for visual impact, prioritizing news value by story placement and offering a strong first impression to the issue as a whole.
  • N1B – Newsmagazine Cover (LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER SCHOOL): The newsmagazine uses clean design to grab readers’ attention. Features a dynamic nameplate and compelling verbal and visual content. Superior entries will use strong packaging for visual impact, prioritizing news value by story placement and offering a strong first impression to the issue as a whole.
  • N2 – Single Inside Page Design (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): Single Feature/Opinion/Sports page layout. Design has a strong center of visual interest, attractive graphics/photos to help tell the stories (when appropriate) and a layout that helps readers understand content. These are intended to be viewed without a facing page.
  • N3 – Doubletruck/Two-Page Design (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): Normally the center spread of a newsmagazine or newspaper. Facing pages designed as one unit. Design has a strong center of visual interest, attractive graphics/photos to help tell the stories (when appropriate) and a layout that helps readers understand content.

GRAPHIC DESIGN CATEGORIES: For each category, include the PDF of the entire newspaper page/spread or yearbook spread that the item appeared on.

  • G1 – Editorial Cartoon (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): Include the PDF of the entire page on which the editorial cartoon appears. Both artistic technique and message are important; an editorial cartoon should make a point about something in the school, community or world and be understandable to average readers. Superior entries will demonstrate a high quality illustration and a clear message.
  • G2 – Infographic (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): Include the PDF of the entire page on which the infographic appears. If more than one infographic appears on the page, indicate which is to be judged. An infographic combines copy and illustrations to make information visual. Superior entries will add meaningful details to the topic with a nicely packaged graphic that includes a source for information collected. Infographics can be stand-alone or part of a story.
  • G3 – Illustration (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): Include the PDF of the entire page on which the illustration appears. If more than one illustration appears on the page, indicate which is to be judged.  This category includes original artwork — hand drawn or digitally created — used to establish a theme or mood with the intent to enhance an article.

NEWS WRITING CATEGORIES – For each category, include the PDF of the entire newspaper page/spread that the item appeared on. NOTE: If there is more than one story on the PDF, clearly indicate which story is to be judged.

  • N4 – News Writing (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): This story should focus on timely news matters. Superior entries will engage readers with a strong lead, detailed reporting, appropriateness and significance of topic, strong organization, conciseness, factual support, fairness and use of appropriate sources.
  • N5 – Feature Writing (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): This story may be a personality profile, human interest piece or general feature story. Story uses expert sources when possible, avoids reporter opinion and leaves no unanswered questions. Features focus more on the personal, and sometimes they are less timely than traditional news stories. Superior entries will engage readers with a strong lead, clear human interest angle, detailed reporting, colorful description and meaningful quotes from a variety of sources.
  • N6 – Editorial or Column (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL: A commentary or column is a personal opinion piece and does have a byline. Superior editorials will be clearly articulated positions, without a byline, written on behalf of the entire staff in regard to a timely, newsworthy topic. Superior columns will address timely, reader-relevant topics, conveying the writer’s personal opinion with a clear voice.
  • N7 – Review Sports Writing (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL: A signed opinion piece that reviews movies, music, plays, concerts, books, exhibits, performances or anything else available to the student community.
  • N8 – Sports Writing (LIMIT TWO ENTRIES PER SCHOOL): Sports coverage pieces cover a RECENT sporting event or one that will occur soon. The reporter does so without reporter opinion; coach and player quotes add necessary insight. Sports features go behind the scenes or otherwise find out the “why,” and the reporter conveys a sport’s background or mood, either scholastic, intramural or life sport. Superior entries will engage readers with a strong lead, clear coverage, detailed reporting, colorful description and meaningful quotes from a variety of sources.