2007 VAJTA Write-Off

1) Each school may enter two students in each contest. Each student may enter up to three contests (one on-site, two carry-in). The entry fee is per student entry. One student, then, may incur up to $15 in entry fees.

2) In the Theme Development & Graphics competition schools may elect to have a two-member team of two individuals. The entry fee is paid per student, not per entry.

3) Substitutions will be accepted at registration only, but not category changes.

4) Contestants will compete by a number printed on a label. The label must appear on the upper right hand corner of the student’s entry. If a student identifies himself or herself or his or her school by name or location or uses the wrong number, the entry will be disqualified.

5) Seventeen contests will be offered. The carry-in competitions include Advertising, Infographics, Newspaper Design, Yearbook Layout, Theme & Graphics, Feature Photography and Sports Photography. The on-site competitions include Poetry, Editing, Editorial Cartoon, Editorial Writing, Feature Writing, News Writing, Newspaper Sports Writing, Yearbook Copy Writing, Cutline/Caption Writing and Yearbook Sports Writing. In schools where there are different advisers for newspaper and yearbook, the advisers should work together to choose a total of two students to compete in the various contest areas.

6) Carry-in contests must either be hand-delivered by the close of registration on the contest date or must be received by the contest director 48 hours before the contests begin.

7) Students competing in the news contests and in the newspaper/yearbook division contests will be expected to follow the Associated Press Stylebook rules. Students will be permitted to use their own dictionary, thesaurus, stylebook and electronic spellers.

8) Copy paper will be furnished at the site. Students will not be allowed to use tape recorders.

9) Certificates will be awarded in competitions to the first, second and third place winners and three honorable mentions in all categories regardless of the number of competitors (few certificates may be awarded dependant upon the number of entries).

10) Judges will be journalism faculty members, former high school advisers no longer employed by a school district, advisers who do not have students competing in the contest they are judging, upper-level college journalism students and professional journalists. If possible, critique forms will be provided with each entry. Judges are encouraged to make comments whenever time permits. Judges volunteer their services without pay.

11) Students with specific needs who plan to compete must alert the site director of their needs.

12) Students must be checked into their rooms BY the start of the contest (10:30 a.m.). Late entries will not be allowed.

13) Write-off contest entries will be posted to the VAJTA Web site by Oct. 1. Upon registration, advisers will be sent exact Web links.

ADVERTISING CONTEST – CARRY IN

This is a carry-in contest (see specific contest on the Web site). Students should submit their final advertisement on an 8 1/2” x 11” inch page, which should include specifications for an ad that is

5” x 6” inch ad size designed vertically. Computer use on this contest is required. Entries may be in color or black and white.

BROADCAST FEATURE – CARRY IN

Students enter as individuals or in pairs (reporter and camera operator). Video packages should be between 90 -240 seconds. A package is a pre-recorded feature story containing a reporter's voice-over, videotaped shots and sound bites. The final package should be a ready-to-air piece.

CUTLINE WRITING CONTEST

Students will write cutlines for five pictures provided. Cutlines must tell a complete story. They should have a minimum length of two complete sentences.

EDITING CONTEST

Students from both the newspaper and yearbook divisions will compete together in editing a news story of approximately 10 paragraphs. Students should edit for A.P. style, accuracy, libel,

attribution, correct paragraphing, grammar, spelling, redundancy, etc. Correct editing symbols must be used. Students should edit in pencil.

EDITORIAL WRITING & CARTOON CONTEST

Students will be given an information sheet on a topic of general interest. After reading the material, the students in editorial writing will write an editorial using their ideas to either support or oppose a

position. The students in the editorial cartoon competition will have their material judged separately and will be asked to design a cartoon relevant to the same material as used by those in the editorial writing contest. Judges will look for a simple and clear editorial statement and evidence of artistic ability and a creative approach.

INFOGRAPHICS CONTEST – CARRY IN

This carry-in contest (see specific contest on the Web site) will be based on a news story. The infographic must be computer-generated. The contestant may determine whether or not to use

artwork. Clarity of infographic, relationship to story and quality of design will form the basis for judging criteria. The infographic will be 3.5” x any depth. The entry may be submitted either in black and white or in color.

LAYOUT/DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD CONTEST – CARRY IN

This is a carry-in contest (see specific contest on the website). Entries must be computer-generated. Spreads should be printed on two 8 1/2” x 11” sheets of paper and taped together. Contestants

should use photos provided. Students should include a headline that suggests content. Spot color is allowed.

NEWSPAPER DESIGN CONTEST – CARRY IN

This is a carry-in contest (see specific contest on the Web site). Entries must be computer-generated. Students are to design a copy of the front page of a newspaper from a collection of story and photography assignments. Entries should use the attached layout grid. Entries should be submitted at 65 percent to fit tabloid size onto an 8 1/2” x 11” sheet. Contestants should use photos provided. Color is allowed.

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY – CARRY IN

This is a carry-in contest. Students should submit their two best black and white or color photos no larger than 8 x 10 of the assigned subject area. Digital photography is allowed. Photoshop should not be used to enhance photographs, but may be employed for dodging and burning, scratch removal and tonal corrections. There is no limit to the number of rolls of film used. Contact sheets

need not be provided. Students should attach a complete cutline for each photo.

THEME DEVELOPMENT & GRAPHICS CONTEST – CARRY IN

Students will be given theme ideas from which to choose and will be expected to develop a theme page with graphics for a yearbook. Contestants will be required to design a title page, a cover and

an opening theme double page spread using one of the suggested themes. Students in this competition may compete singularly or as a team. This is a carry-in contest (see specific contest on the Web site). Entries must be computer-generated. Spreads should be printed on two 8 1/2” x 11” sheets of paper. Students should include a headline that suggests content. Color is allowed. Students should use appropriate file photos to best develop the theme.

YEARBOOK COPY AND YEARBOOK SPORTS WRITING CONTESTS

Students will write a copy block from information provided on a fact sheet.

FEATURE, NEWS AND SPORTS WRITING CONTESTS

Students who compete in these contests will write a story based on a fact sheet.

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY – CARRY IN

This is a carry-in contest. Students should submit their two best black and white or color photos no larger than 8 x 10 of the assigned subject area. Digital photography is allowed. Photoshop should not be used to enhance photographs but may be employed for dodging and burning, scratch removal and tonal corrections. There is no limit to the number of rolls of film used and contact

sheets need not be provided. Both photos must come from the same category.

MAGAZINE LAYOUT/DESIGN – CARRY IN

This is a carry-in contest (see specific contest on the website). Entries must be computer-generated. Spreads should be printed on two 8 1/2” x 11” sheets of paper and taped together. Contestants

should use art, poetry and prose provided. Spot color is allowed.

MAGAZINE POETRY

You will write an original poem for a literary magazine using the theme and length given. Title your poem and clearly indicate your lines through indentation and use of margins. You are to exhibit your understanding of poetry, its conventions, punctuation, and potential to create a setting, convey a tone, connect to feelings and to delve beyond the surface.

REGISTRATION

School _________________________________________________ Class __A __AA __ AAA

Address ____________________________________________________________

City _________________________________ Zip _______________________

Phone ________________________________ Fax _________________________

Adviser(s) ___________________________________________________________________

Adviser e-mail(s) _________________________________________________________________

--Carry-Ins—

Advertising ________________________________ ________________________________

Infographics ________________________________ ________________________________

YBK Layout ________________________________ ________________________________

Theme Development ________________________________ ________________________________

(singular or in teams)

News Design ________________________________ ________________________________

Mag Design ________________________________ ________________________________

Feature Photo ________________________________ ________________________________

Sports Photo ________________________________ ________________________________

--On-site--

Caption ________________________________ ________________________________

Editing ________________________________ ________________________________

Editorial Writing ________________________________ ________________________________

Editorial Cartoon ________________________________ ________________________________

YBK Copy Writing ________________________________ ________________________________

YBK Sports Writing ________________________________ ________________________________

NP Feature Writing ________________________________ ________________________________

NP Sports Writing ________________________________ ________________________________

NP News Writing ________________________________ ________________________________

Mag Poetry ________________________________ ________________________________

Total Number of Entries _____________ x $5 = Total Due __________________