Categories
Newspapers | Magazine | Art/Graphics | Radio | Television | Online
Enter online
You may submit nominations for the Mark of Excellence Awards will take place using this online entry form. The deadline will be here before you know it, so enter online today!
(Some exceptions apply. Please review the rules below and category-specific criteria at this link.)
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting, 4-year College/University
Breaking News Reporting, 2-year/Community College
Submit a story or stories written under a next day deadline about a single breaking news event.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
General News Reporting, 4-year College/University
General News Reporting, 2-year/Community College
Submit an article or series about a single news event or issue, not written on next-day deadline. Limit a series to no more than five stories.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
In-Depth Reporting, 4-year College/University
In-Depth Reporting, 2-year/Community College
Submit a single article or series. Entries should use multiple sources to explore the subject in significant depth. Limit a series to no more than five stories.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Feature Writing, 4-year College/University
Feature Writing, 2-year/Community College
Submit a single article or a series. Entries may be personality profiles, trend stories, human-interest stories or any other type of feature that is not general or breaking news. Limit a series to no more than five stories.
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Sports Writing, 4-year College/University
Sports Writing, 2-year/Community College
Submit one sports news or feature story about sports or a sports figure. (Columns should be entered in the Sports Column Writing category).
Entrants should submit a link to the online article or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Editorial Writing, 4-year College/University
Editorial Writing, 2-year/Community College
Submit THREE different published editorials.
Entrants should submit links to the editorials online or PDFs of the newspaper page on which the editorials appeared. The dates of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the editorials will not be accepted.
General Column Writing, 4-year College/University
General Column Writing, 2-year/Community College
Submit THREE different published columns by an individual writer or writing team. Entries may include, but are not limited to, humor and news analysis.
Entrants should submit links to the columns online or PDFs of the newspaper page on which the columns appeared. The dates of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the columns will not be accepted.
Sports Column Writing, 4-year College/University
Sports Column Writing, 2-year/Community College
Submit THREE different published sports columns by an individual writer or writing team.
Entrants should submit links to the columns online or PDFs of the newspaper page on which the columns appeared. The dates of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the columns will not be accepted.
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
This category is for newspapers that are published at least four days per week. Submit complete PDFs of issues published on or as close as possible to March 1, Oct. 5 and Dec. 1, 2011. All three requested issues must be submitted or entry will be disqualified. Links to Web sites will not be accepted in this category.
*This category has a mail-in option. Postmark deadline: Jan. 25, 2012.
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper, 4-year College/University
Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper, 2-year/Community College
This category is for newspapers published less than four days per week. Submit complete issues published on or as close as possible to March 1, Oct. 5 and Dec. 1, 2011. All three requested issues must be submitted or entry will be disqualified. Links to Web sites will not be accepted in this category.
*This category has a mail-in option. Postmark deadline: Jan. 25, 2012.
Magazine
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Entrants should submit a link to a single article or a PDF of the magazine page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.
Best Student Magazine
Submit one complete issue published during the 2011 calendar year. Please include a letter explaining if design and layout was done primarily by students or professionals. Award will be in the magazine’s name. Only ONE entry per magazine is permitted.
Magazines must be mailed/shipped to SPJ Headquarters. No electronic entries will be accepted in this category. Postmark deadline: Jan. 25, 2012.
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography, 4-year College/University
Breaking News Photography, 2-year/Community College
Submit ONE photo of a breaking news event. For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site. Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
General News Photography, 4-year College/University
General News Photography, 2-year/Community College
Submit ONE photo of a news event, not covered on deadline. For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site. Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Feature Photography, 4-year College/University
Feature Photography, 2-year/Community College
Submit a photo, or a short series of photos, that tells its own story without an accompanying news article. Limit a series to no more than FIVE photos.
For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Photo Illustration, 4-year College/University
Photo Illustration, 2-year/Community College
Submit a photo, or a short series, of photos that helps illustrate a news or feature story without necessarily being straight photography. Entries may be staged, composite or otherwise manipulated, but should disclose that to the reader. Limit a series to no more than FIVE photos. For photo illustrations published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo illustration appeared, or a link to the illustration published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Sports Photography, 4-year College/University
Sports Photography, 2-year/Community College
Submit ONE photo of a sports event. For photographs published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the photo appeared, or a link to the photo published on an online news site. The date of publication should be visible.
Editorial Cartooning, 4-year College/University
Editorial Cartooning, 2-year/Community College
Submit THREE different published cartoons commenting on issues of significance to the newspaper’s readers.
For cartoons published in a newspaper, magazine or on an online news site.
Entrant should submit a PDF of the newspaper/magazine page on which the cartoon appeared, or a link to the illustration published on an online news site. The dates of publication should be visible.
Radio
Radio News Reporting
Submit a story or series about a newsworthy event or development. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been aired by a campus, public or commercial radio station. Work aired on an online radio station or by Podcast is also eligible. Entrant should submit a link to the work online or upload an audio file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
Radio Feature
Submit a story or series about a feature topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, personality profiles, sidebars, consumer information, historical perspectives, trend stories or reviews of cultural events. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been aired by a campus, public or commercial radio station. Work aired on an online radio station or by Podcast is also eligible. Entrant should submit a link to the work online or upload an audio file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
Radio In-Depth Reporting
Submit a story or series about a topic explored in significant depth with multiple sources. Entry may not exceed a total of 30 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been aired by a campus, public or commercial radio station. Work aired on an online radio station or by Podcast is also eligible. Entrant should submit a link to the work online or upload an audio file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
Radio Sports Reporting
Entries may be either a story or series about a sports topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, breaking news or features. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes. Play-by-play of a sporting event is not eligible.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been aired by a campus, public or commercial radio station. Work aired on an online radio station or by Podcast is also eligible. Entrant should submit a link to the work online or upload an audio file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted.
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Submit THREE newscasts of no more than 30 minutes each. Broadcast dates to be on or as close as possible to March 1, Oct. 5 and Dec. 1, 2011. All three requested newscasts must be submitted or the entry will be disqualified. Award will be made in the radio station’s name.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been aired by a campus, public or commercial radio station. Work aired on an online radio station or by Podcast is also eligible. Entrant should submit a link to the work online or upload an audio file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All audio files must be .mp3 (preferred), .wav or .aiff format. Audio in other formats will not be accepted
Mail-in option: Entrants should submit newscasts on one/two CD-ROMs. Label each CD with the category, name of the entry, school and entrants. Submit CD(s) in a protective case. Postmark deadline: Jan. 25, 2012.
Television
Television Breaking News Reporting
Submit a story or series about a breaking news event, aired within 24 hours of the event. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Television General News Reporting
Submit a story or series about a news event or issue, not prepared on daily deadline. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Television Feature
Submit a story or series about a feature topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, personality profiles, sidebars, consumer information, historical perspectives or reviews of cultural events. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Television In-Depth Reporting
Submit a story or series about a topic or issue of public importance that is explored in significant depth with multiple sources. Entry may not exceed a total of 30 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Television Sports Reporting
Submit a story or series about a sports topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, breaking news or features. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes. Play-by-Play of a sporting event is not eligible.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Television News Photography
Submit video of a breaking news event or general non-feature news story. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Television Feature Photography
Submit video of a feature topic that may include, but is not limited to, personality profiles, sidebars, consumer information, historical perspectives, trend stories or reviews of cultural events. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Television Sports Photography
Submit video from a single sports event. Entry may not exceed a total of 10 minutes.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible.
Entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL (preferred), or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Submit THREE newscasts of no more than 30 minutes each. Broadcasts to be on or as close as possible to March 1, Oct. 5 and Dec. 1, 2011. All three requested newscasts must be submitted or entry will be disqualified. Award will be made in the television station’s name.
If uploading the entry: entrant should upload the work to an online video site and submit the URL, or upload a video file to the awards site. [50 MB file limit] All video files must be one of the following formats: .wmv, .mov, .mpeg or .mp4.
Mail-in option: Combine all parts on one DVD. Videocassettes will not be accepted. Postmark deadline: Jan. 25, 2012.
The original broadcast must not be altered. Work must have been broadcast by a campus, public or commercial television station or franchised cable television system. Work aired on an Internet TV station or by Podcast is also eligible. A script or transcript with lead-in is strongly recommended, but not required.
Online
Online News Reporting, 4-year College/University
Online News Reporting, 2-year/Community College
Submit a story or package about a newsworthy event, development or single issue of significance to the public. Judges will consider ingenuity, interactivity and use of multimedia tools.
Entries consist of one main URL and up to three additional URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2012.
Online Feature Reporting, 4-year College/University
Online Feature Reporting, 2-year/Community College
Submit a story or package about a feature topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, personality profiles, trend stories, human-interest stories, consumer information, historical perspectives or reviews of cultural events. Judges will consider ingenuity, interactivity and use of multimedia tools.
Entries consist of one main URL and up to three additional URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2012.
Online In-Depth Reporting, 4-year College/University
Online In-Depth Reporting, 2-year/Community College
Submit a story or package about a topic or issue of public importance that is explored in significant depth with multiple sources. Judges will consider ingenuity, interactivity and use of multimedia tools.
Entries consist of one main URL and up to three additional URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2012.
Online Sports Reporting, 4-year College/University
Online Sports Reporting, 2-year/Community College
Submit a story or package about a sports event or sports figure. Entries may be either news or feature pieces. Judges will consider ingenuity, interactivity and use of multimedia tools.
Entries consist of one main URL and up to five additional URLs to highlight specific features of the article or package. Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2012.
Online Opinion & Commentary, 4-year College/University
Online Opinion & Commentary, 2-year/Community College
Submit three individual pieces or packages dealing either seriously or humorously with opinion or commentary. Entries can be personal columns, op-ed pieces or staff editorials.
Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2012.
Best Affiliated Web Site, 4-year College/University
Best Affiliated Web Site, 2-year/Community College
This award is for Internet sites operated in conjunction with a student newspaper, student magazine or student broadcast station. Entrants should include a cover letter describing how the site’s content and mission differ from and enhance that of its affiliate. Judges will consider design, content, interactivity and use of multimedia tools. Award will be made in the paper, magazine or station’s name.
Entrants should submit one main URL and up to three additional URLs (in the same domain) to highlight features.
Judging will take place February-April 2012. Websites will be judged on content as presented during this time span.
Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2012.
Best Independent Online Student Publication, 4-year College/University
Best Independent Online Student Publication, 2-year/Community College
This award is for online publications and Internet sites that produce primarily original content and operate independently of other student news organizations. Entrants should include a cover letter describing the site and how it serves its audience. Judges will consider design, content, interactivity and use of multimedia tools. Award will be made in the outlet’s name.
Entrants should submit one main URL and up to three additional URLs (in the same domain) to highlight features.
Judging will take place February-April 2012. Websites will be judged on content as presented during this time span.
Entries that do not provide complete and accurate URLs will be disqualified. Entrants must keep their nominated entries intact and accessible until September 30, 2012.
Questions?
Contact SPJ at 317/927-8000 or e-mail awards@spj.org.