Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award for Student Writing
Are you a full-time student in 3rd or 4th year at UW, WLU, UWO, or U of G? Do you have an overall average of 75% (B+) or higher? 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 by students in any faculty at The University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Western Ontario and the University of Guelph.
| The Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
First Place |
Second Place |
Third Place |
$1,000 |
$500 |
$200 |
Plus, each award winner also receives an STC student membership. | ||
To be considered, you must submit:
- a 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 through experience
- two samples of your work that reflect your skill in technical communication
Information about your entry
The samples you enter must be examples of technical communication; that is, documents that help readers use or understand a software product, physical device, or technical issue.
Here are some examples of good technical communication entries:
- Instructions for installing, maintaining, or using any technical device, be it electronic (e.g., a calculator) or mechanical (e.g., a drill press)
- Instructions for using computer software (e.g., games, office tools, research tools)
- Documents that provide reference material on the features and functions of a technical product, usually computer hardware or software
- Materials developed for use in a technical training or classroom environment, including presentations, tutorials, workbooks, and classroom guides
- Online help or tutorials that assist in using a product, usually computer software
- Quick reference guides designed to illuminate the essential features of a technical product or physical device
- Organizational manuals intended to provide guidance to employees or customers of an organization (e.g., policies and procedures manuals)
- Newsletters for a corporate or technical audience
- Marketing material (e.g., brochures, product profiles) for a technical product or device
- Journal or magazine articles on a technical subject or related to technical writing
- Magazine articles or co-op work reports on a technical subject or related to technical writing
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.
Submitting your entry
All entries must be postmarked or delivered no later than February 29, 2008.
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 written 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:
Carol Lawless
78 Viewmont Close
Kitchener, ON N2A 1K1.
Award winners will be contacted in April 2008 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.
