Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award for Student Writing
Are you a full-time undergraduate student who is studying at an Ontario university or college? Have at least a B+ average for the last two semesters with final marks? Have writing samples that explain something complex in fields like engineering, medicine, science, software, and academia? If so, you qualify for the Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award for excellence in technical communication.
Each year, the Southwestern Ontario Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) recognizes exemplary technical writing in honour of Heidi Thiessen, a late member of our chapter who actively mentored many students and young writers in the area.
Award Levels
| The Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
First Place |
Second Place |
Third Place |
$1,000 |
$500 |
$200 |
Each award winner also receives an STC student membership. The number of awards handed out depends on the number of entries received. | ||
Entry Requirements
To be considered a valid entry, you must submit:
- an official copy of your most recent transcript
- a document (suggest 150-300 words) that explains why you should receive this award and explains how your writing skills have improved
- two samples of your work that reflect your skill in technical communication
Information about your entry
The following are examples of valid entries as long as the subject matter has a technical component:
- Co-op work-term reports
- Magazine articles
- Instructions for using technical products
- Training material, e.g., workbooks, tutorials
- Policies and procedures manuals
- Quick reference guides
- Marketing material
To be considered technical, your entry must explain something complex so that the person reading the material can understand it. It could be, but is not limited to, material related to software, medicine, science, academia, and engineering.
Your entry should not be:
- Fiction or creative writing
- A thesis or major research paper
For online material, we will accept disk or CD submissions if Windows-based, but we suggest you provide printed copies. For Macintosh-based or UNIX-based online materials, we require complete printed copies.
Submission of your entry
All entries must be postmarked no later than January 31st, 2012.
Make sure you include the following in your application package:
- A copy of your most recent transcript
- A document explaining why you should receive this award and how your writing skills have improved
- Two samples with your name on them
- A complete printed copy of the application form (you must also submit the form electronically so we know to expect your entry)
Send your submission to:
Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award
c/o Debbie Kerr
373 Imperial Road South
Guelph, Ontario
N1K 1L3
Award winners will be contacted in February 2012 and we will present the awards at our Annual Wine & Cheese in the spring. Please join us then to celebrate!
For more information on the award, contact Debbie Kerr at studentawards@stc-soc.org.
Please note: previous winners are not eligible.
Good luck with your entry!
We look forward to receiving your submission.
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