Upcoming Competition Events

The 1999-2000 Competitions Kick-Off is Wednesday, April 28. 3Com Corporation's new campus, Marlborough, MA, 6:00 - 8:30 PM. Contact: Carol Landers, , 508-880-2248.

Competition News

The 1999/2000 Boston Chapter Competitions for technical publications, art, and electronic documentation will post entry information in July. Entries will be accepted from August 1 through September 18, 1999. Entries must be accompanied by the Entry Form. Watch this page for details about obtaining entry forms starting in July.

Compete and Be Recognized

We all have a competitive instinct, something within us that let's us say, 'I'm best at what I do.' Here's a chance to let that instinct express itself. The Boston Chapter STC Competitions season is upon us. Don't let this opportunity pass by; "strut your stuff" and let your colleges appreciate your talents.

I can tell you that the role of judge in this competition is almost as rewarding as competing. It's not just a chance to evaluate other's work, but also a valuable experience in learning how to work together with a team of judges, reaching consensus on the critical elements of technical communications.

So, compete, judge, or observe the results, but in any case participate.

Who is eligible

You may submit entries if you are:

• A technical communicator
• A student of technical communications

You do not have to be a member of STC. You may enter as an individual or on behalf of a group or a subordinate. In all cases the owner of the work must give permission for entry and public display of work.

What can be entered

Entries must:

• Be in English
• Contain sufficient technical, scientific, medical, or similar content to qualify as "technical" communications
• Have been produced after February 1, 1998, accepted for publications, and not entered in any previous STC competition.
• Have been originally prepared for a client, employer, or publisher (except student entries)

Awards

Four levels of recognition may be awarded in each category. These awards are, in descending order:

• Distinction
• Excellence
• Merit
• Achievement

One Best of Show award will be presented for each competition. Winners of the Distinction award qualify for entry in STC's International Competitions.

Notification of Results

Winners are announced publicly at the Spring 2000 Awards Banquet. Judging sheets are returned to the contact person named on the entry form. All entries become the property of STC and are donated to local technical writing programs.

Judging

A panel of judges selects winners in each category. Judges may give more than one award or no awards at a given level for a category. Judges are volunteers and are assigned based on their stated areas of expertise.

Each publications entry is judged on how well it communicates technical information. Judges consider many factors, including writing, editing, organization, graphics, usability, and overall presentation.

Art entries are judged primarily on how well they fulfill the function of technical communication; however, aesthetic elements are also considered.

Electronic documentation entries are judged on their integration of text and graphics and the use of layout, screen design, writing, and editing to achieve their stated objectives.

If you are interested in judging a competition, watch this page for more information.

Past Winners

All award program files require Adobe Acrobat to view them. If you don't have the Acrobat Reader, download it from Adobe.

How Can I Get Involved?

Contact Carol Landers at or , (508) 880-2248.