2009 DWAA Writing Competition

Judging Guidelines

Club Magazines and Newspapers
Electronic Media
Internet Writing and Websites
Newspapers
Creative Categories
Books
Magazines and Canine Newspapers

Judges Instructions

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a judge for this year’s contest. Your efforts are appreciated. I have tried to give each judge the category(ies) requested. Unfortunately, many times several people request the same ones so in those cases I have tried to assign a category as much like the one requested as possible.

Please score each entry between 0-100 points. There are three judges for each category, and the nominees and winner will be determined by the total of the three scores. Use the guidelines I’ve enclosed and your own best judgment.

In some categories, an editor and a writer may both submit the same entry. I have tried to catch duplicate entries. If you find a duplicate entry, don’t worry – just judge it once.

I also try very hard to make sure a judge is not assigned a category in which he or she is also entered as a contestant. However, if I make that mistake, please call or email me, and return the materials to me immediately so that I may assign another judge.

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Club Magazines and Newspapers

These categories will vary tremendously in many ways. Some clubs have more resources and will produce a slick, professional publication while others may be on a reduced budget. Appearances and presentation are always important; especially their appeal to the reader. However, the primary emphasis should be given to the writing itself.

While evaluating the entries – whether entire publications, columns, series or individual articles – ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the work original?
• Is the writing clear, literate and logically organized?
• If the work is educational, does it keep your attention?
• If the work is entertaining, does it evoke your emotions?
• If the entry is an entire publication, is it well organized, edited cleanly, and does it present a mix of topics and articles that are appropriate to its audience?
• Is the style of an individual article, series, column or editorial appropriate to both subject matter and format of the piece?
• If this is a research oriented, technical, newsy or even controversial piece, is it well researched and documented with valid sources? Where appropriate, are opposing viewpoints presented?
• Does the work (magazine, newsletter, article, column, series or editorial) succeed in its endeavor? Does it inform, entertain, instruct, motivate or inspire?
• Is this a work that you will remember?
• Would you recommend this work to others?

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Electronic Media
(videos, tapes, CDs, etc), Podcasts, and Broadcast Media (Radio and TV)

This rapidly growing field is highly technical but for this contest the entries are still to be judged by the quality of the writing behind the work. The emphasis should be focused on the writing and editing, the clear presentation of ideas and the validity of the research.

Because this field can be so varied and different, you may feel like you are being asked to compare apples to oranges; therefore look at each entry as an individual and score them appropriately.

While evaluating the entries ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the work original?
• If a common subject is being discussed, is it being handled in a unique and/or informative way?
• Is the work skillfully executed, logically presented, clear and literate?
• Is the work well researched?
• When appropriate, are opposing viewpoints presented?
• If the work is educational, does it teach in an entertaining yet informative way?
• If the work is to entertain, does it keep your interest?
• Does the work stimulate your emotions?
• Does the work succeed in its endeavor? Does it inform, entertain, instruct, motivate or inspire?
• Is this a work that you will remember?
• Would you recommend this work to others?

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Internet Writing and Websites

These categories reflect the dramatic changes in the way we communicate, and entries have increased dramatically each year. Appearances and presentation are important, especially in the categories for websites. The writing must be just as professional as it would be for magazines or newspapers.

While evaluating the entries ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the writing original?
• Is the writing clear, literate and logically organized?
• Is the style of an individual article, series, column or editorial appropriate to both subject matter and format of the piece?
• If this is a research oriented, technical, newsy or even controversial piece, is it well researched and documented with valid sources? Where appropriate, are opposing viewpoints presented?
• Does the writing evoke your emotions?
• For the website itself, is it well designed and easy to use? Are links clearly identified? Is it easy to find your way back to the main page? Is it attractive and does it appeal to you so that you want to continue exploring?
• Does the entry succeed in its endeavor? Does it inform, entertain, instruct, motivate or inspire?
• Is this a work that you will remember?
• Would you recommend this work to others?

When judging websites, look at the material presented, but go to the website itself, too.

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Newspapers

This is a competitive category that requires a great deal of thought from the judges. Appearances and presentation are important; however, primary emphasis should be given to the writing itself.

While evaluating the entries – whether columns, series or individual articles – ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the work original and when appropriate, creative?
• Is the writing clear, literate and logically organized?
• Is the style of an individual article, series, column or editorial appropriate to both subject matter and format of the piece?
• If this is a research oriented, technical, newsy or even controversial piece, is it well researched and documented with valid sources?
• Where appropriate, are opposing viewpoints presented?
• Does the entry succeed in its endeavor? Does it inform, entertain, instruct, motivate or inspire?
• Is this a work that you will remember?
• Would you recommend this work to others?

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The Creative Categories, including Visual Arts, Humor, Fiction, and Poetry

Judging the Creative Categories can be very difficult. So much is a matter of personal taste - likes and dislikes - that are almost impossible to remove from the judging process. So, use both your preferences and your ability to appreciate what has been entered in the contest to find those works which best ‘say something’ to you.

Because this field can be so varied and different, you may be asked to compare apples to oranges – no, apples to pineapples! – therefore, look at each entry as an individual and score them appropriately.

While evaluating the entries – whether entire publications or individual works – ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the work original and creative?
• Does the poet, artist, photographer or other creative person use skill and emotion to convey a message with this work?
• Does this creative work succeed in its endeavor? Does it inform, entertain, instruct, motivate or inspire? Did it make you laugh? Or cry? Or think?
• If you are judging art or photography, does it relate to the material it is meant to illustrate?
• Does the work convey a professional appearance?
• Does it touch you in some way?
• Is this a work that you will remember?
• Would you recommend this work to others?

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Books

This is a competitive category that requires a great deal of thought from the judges. Appearances (including design) and presentation are important; however, the writing is definitely the most important aspect of the book itself. Because this field can be so varied and different, you may feel like you are comparing apples to oranges; therefore look at each entry as an individual and score them appropriately.

While evaluating the entries – ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the work unique and original?
• Is the writing clear, literate and logically organized?
• If the book is educational, does it convey its message clearly?
• If the book is meant to entertain, does it do so?
• Does the book evoke emotion?
• Is the book itself well organized and edited cleanly?
• If there are illustrations or photographs of any kind, are they well done and appropriate to the text?
• If this is a research oriented, technical, newsy or even controversial book, is it well researched and documented with valid sources? Where appropriate, are opposing viewpoints presented?
• Does the book succeed in its endeavor? Does it inform, entertain, instruct, motivate or inspire?
• Is this a work that you will remember?
• Would you recommend this work to others?

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Magazines and Canine Newspapers

These are very competitive categories that are often quite large as well. Appearances, presentation, and editing are always important; especially in their appeal to the reader. However, primary emphasis should be given to the writing itself.

While evaluating the entries – whether entire publications, columns, series or individual articles – ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the work unique and original?
• If covering a common topic, is there an original approach to it?
• Is the writing clear, literate and logically organized?
• If the work is educational, does it keep your attention?
• If the work is entertaining, does it evoke your emotions?
• If the entry is an entire publication, is it well organized, edited cleanly, and does it present a mix of topics and articles that are appropriate to its audience?
• Is the style of an individual article, series, column or editorial appropriate to both subject matter and format of the piece?
• If this is a research oriented, technical, newsy or even controversial piece, is it well researched and documented with valid sources? Where appropriate, are opposing viewpoints presented?
• Does the work (magazine, newsletter, article, column, series or editorial) succeed in its endeavor? Does it inform, entertain, instruct, motivate or inspire?
• Is this a work that you will remember?
• Would you recommend this work to others?

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