What can be entered?

Enter your best work in the following categories:

• Instructional Materials train users on skills and knowledge using solutions like eLearning, mobile learning, workbooks, wikis, social media, facilitator guides, instructional animations, videos, student guides, tutorials, and webinars.
• User Support Materials provide information for the user in performing specific tasks for independent use including performance support, online help, mobile help, job aids, quick start or reference guides, reference documents, user guides, and websites.
• Promotional Materials market or promote a product, company, individual, or event that aim to persuade the audience to some action, using integrated figures and text. Examples may include websites, brochures, catalogs, flyers, and posters.
• Informational Materials inform the user without a specific call to action. Examples may include annual reports, articles, books, error messages, magazines, newsletters, periodicals, posters, research papers, and websites.

• Contain sufficient technical, scientific, medical, or similar content to qualify as technical communication
• Have been produced or substantially revised within the past two years
• Have been originally prepared for and accepted for publication by a client, employer, or publisher. 

Competition Award Levels 

• Best of Show - One Best of Show award can be given by the judges every year. 
  
• Distinguished Technical Communication - Clearly superior in all areas. The entry contains no major flaws and few if any, minor flaws. It applies the principles of technical communication in an outstanding way, particularly in the way that it anticipates and fulfills the needs of its audience. 
  
• Excellence - Consistently meets high standards in all areas. The entry might contain a single major flaw or a few minor flaws. The entry clearly (if slightly imperfectly) demonstrates an exceptional understanding of technical communication principles.
  
• Merit - Consistently meets high standards in most areas. The entry might contain a small number of major or minor flaws, but it still applies technical communication principles in a highly proficient manner.
  

Our experienced judges are the backbone of the competition. Each year, some judges move up to Team Leader positions, and we continually train new judges.  If you are interested in volunteering to judge, read more on the Call for Judges page and volunteer by filling out the online judges information form. Returning judges are asked for updates on changes.