KIPA Contest Categories
Categories
GENERAL GUIDELINES: A story, photo, editorial, cartoon, informational graphic,
etc., may be entered in one category only. Each school may enter the work
of up to five different individuals or staffs per individual category, with
no more than five total entries per school, per category. Up to TWO ENTRIES
per student or staff are permitted, but the total entries must not exceed
five per school, per category. In group categories, schools may enter one
entry per different student staff (i.e., Spring 2005, Fall 2005). All entries
must be clips of works as published in the newspaper — no photocopies.
NEWS
News Story: Submit one example per entry of “straight”
or “spot” news to be judged on emphasis, interest, clarity and
completeness of information.
Investigative Reporting: Submit one example per student or
group for a news article or series articles requiring and exemplifying investigative
techniques — in-depth document searches and multiple interviews —
to explore an issue or topic of campus and/or community interest.
Continuing News: Submit three or more news reports following
one situation, topic or issue as it develops through several issues of the
paper. Routine coverage of public meetings, etc., does not qualify in this
category.
Analyses and Special Reports: Submit one example of an article
or series of articles written to provide background or explanation of a news
event or issue.
FEATURES
Personality Profile: Submit one example of the use of multiple
interviews, observation and other research to create a profile of a person.
Feature Story: Submit one informative feature based on observation,
research, interviews, etc., excluding personality profiles.
Review: Submit one example of a review of an art form —
drama, film, book, recording, live performance, art exhibit, etc. —
to be judged on instructiveness, soundness or criticism and entertainment
value. Judges want an artistic critique here, not a regurgitation of plot,
song titles, etc.
General Interest Column: Submit one example of a continuing
column in the form of personal observations, commentary and/or humor.EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL
Editorial: For each entry, submit one unsigned
editorial expressing the institutional opinion of the newspaper, to be judged
on relevance, importance of issues, persuasive strategy and sound, logical
presentation.
Commentary: For each entry, submit one signed column expressing
the opinion of an individual writer about public policy or current events
(NOT reviews or sports columns). Entries will be judged on relevance, importance
of issues, persuasive strategy and sound, logical presentation.
Editorial Cartoon: For each entry, submit three cartoons
or cartoon panels — not comic strips — to be judged on clarity
of concept, editorial punch and artistic quality. Entry should include the
editorial that accompanied the cartoon when applicable.
Opinion Pages: For each entry, submit three editorial pages
to be judged on variety and selection of subject matter and on design and
display of editorials, letters, columns and other elements.
SPORTS
Sports Game Story: Submit one specific report of a game or
other athletic event, to be judged on interest, emphasis, clarity, style and
thoroughness of information.
Sports News Story: Submit one example of a news story about
any aspect of sports, other than a report of a game or other athletic event,
to be judged by news standards or interest, clarity and thoroughness.
Sports Feature: Submit one example of a feature, interview,
profile or analysis, concerning the sports scene. DO NOT submit feature angles
on game coverage; those should be entered in the Sports Game Story category.
Sports Column: Submit one personalized column of commentary
and observations on sports and/or sports personalities.
EDITING
Overall Layout: Submit three complete, consecutive issues
of the newspaper to demonstrate graphic elements utilized in layout and knowledge
of design principles.
Front Page Layout: Submit any three front pages to demonstrate
design, use of graphics and news judgment
Feature Page Layout: Submit one example of a feature page
(lifestyles, leisure, diversions, arts and entertainment, activities, etc.)
to demonstrate creativity, use of art and knowledge of design principles.
Sports Page Layout: Submit one example of a sports page layout
to demonstrate emphasis, use of art and knowledge of design principles.
Best Special Section: A special advertising and editorial
(news, sports, feature) section separate from the regular newspaper.
Best News Headline: Submit one tearsheet per entry, with
headline marked in red, OR one screen shot for online entries, with headline
marked in red. Must include the accompanying story.
Best Feature Headline: Submit one tearsheet per entry, with
headline marked in red, OR one screen shot per online entry, with headline
marked in red. Must include the accompanying story.
Best Sports Headline: Submit one tearsheet per entry, with
headline marked in red, OR one screen shot per online entry, with headline
marked in red. Must include the accompanying story.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Original Illustrations: Submit one example of student-created
art or photography used for news or feature illustrations. . Must include
the accompanying story.
Comic Strip or Panel: Submit three examples of humor panel
or strip — no editorial cartoons — to be judged on originality,
humor and artistry.
Informational Graphic: Submit one example of charts, graphs
and/or other informational illustrations that complement or supplement a story.
Must include the accompanying story.
News Photo: Submit one example of a photo used to relate
or illustrate a news event. Judged on impact, artistry and how well it tells
the story. Include accompanying story or note if standalone.
Feature Photo: Submit one example of a human-interest photo,
to be judged on impact, emotional appeal and artistry.
Sports Photo: Submit one example of a photograph related
to a sporting event (action, participants, fans, etc.)
Photo Essay: Submit one example (per individual or per group
effort) of a photo display using three or more photos in a single- or double-page
spread. Entries will be judged on quality and content of photos, selection,
arrangement, artistry of layout and impact.
ADVERTISING
Advertising Design: Submit student-designed ads only. To
be judged on uniqueness and artistry of design and layout, typography, impact
and effectiveness of selling message. (May include clip art.)
House Ad: Submit one ad designed to promote the student newspaper
or any of its features. Entries will be judged on design and layout, typography,
impact and effectiveness of message.
Advertising Art: Submit one example of original art created
for an ad (may include photos). To be judged on artistry, effectiveness and
appropriateness to the ad message.
Advertising Copy: Submit one example of original advertising
copy (submitted as clipping of complete ad as published) written by a student
(not supplied by an advertiser) to be judged on clarity, impact and effectiveness
of the selling message.
Advertising Campaign: Submit a series of three or more ads
used in a campaign sequence for a single advertiser. Entries to be judged
on impact, continuity, design and layout, development of campaign theme and
effectiveness.
ONLINE
Home Page: Submit URL. Pages will be judged on readability,
design and ease of use.
Overall Web Site: Submit URL. Sites will be judged on readability,
design and ease of use.
Best Special Section: Submit URL. Pages will be judged on
readability, design and ease of use.
Best Inside Page: Submit URL. Pages will be judged on readability,
design and ease of use.