Technical Communication Competition 2004

by Lori Shantz, Competition Manager

Have you or your company produced technical communications that you think are worthy of awards? Would you like your work to be recognized by your peers? Would you like to have your work critiqued to find out what areas need improvement? These are all reasons why you might want to participate in one or both of these Society for Technical Communication (STC) competitions:

• Online Communication Competition (with categories like help systems, demonstrations, and technical marketing)
• Technical Publications Competition (with categories like software guides, quick reference guides, and annual reports.)

Who is eligible?

Anyone is eligible to submit entries. You do not have to be a member of the STC. You may enter your own work or the work of a colleague or subordinate.

What can be entered?

Entries must:

• Contain sufficient technical, scientific, medical, or similar content to qualify as technical communication.
• Have been produced or substantially revised on or after September 1, 2002.
• Have been originally prepared and accepted for publication by a client, employer, or publisher.

How are the competitions structured?

The STC's competitions recognize and encourage excellence in online communication and technical publications.

When you submit your work, it will be entered in the regional competition, which is the first level of competition. A regional competition is held by two or more chapters, usually in the same STC region. This year, the Southwestern Ontario and Toronto chapters are teaming up to hold a regional competition for all of southern Ontario.

The international online communication competition (IOCC), and the international technical publications competition (ITPC)—are the second and final level of competition. Regional entries that receive a Best of Show or Distinguished Technical Communication award are automatically submitted to the appropriate international competition.

What awards are given?

Entries are eligible to win one of these awards:

• Best of Show (one for Online Competition and one for Technical Publications Competition)
• Distinguished Technical Communication (DTC)
• Excellence
• Merit

Local/regional entries that are awarded a Best of Show or DTC award are automatically entered in the STC's international competitions.

Deadlines, Fees, and Where to Submit

All entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. October 6, 2004.

Visit http://www.stc-soc.org/competitions.php. for entry forms (including all categories of competition), fee structure, and how to submit.

Judges

Chapter competitions cannot happen without local judges to evaluate the entries. If you are interested in helping to judge this year's entries, please go to our Web site to find information about the required qualifications, the judging process, and how you can sign up. We need your help to make the 2003-2004 competition a success!

Questions or More Detail

For additional entry rules, category descriptions, and entry forms, please visit http://www.stc-soc.org/competitions.php.

If you have any questions about submitting an entry, or being a judge, please contact:

• Lori Shantz Competition Manager, Southwestern Ontario Chapter competition@stc-soc.org.
• Vivian Viitala Competition Co-manager, Toronto Chapter vivian.viitala@leitch.com

About Lori Shantz

Lori stumbled into technical writing while looking for work as a museum curator. She figured that if she could explain Einstein's theory of relativity to fifth graders, she could probably explain technology to adults. (The jury is still out about which is tougher, however.)

This is Lori's fourth year on the STC council, and her second year as competition manager. She also volunteers for a local theater company (occasionally even appearing on stage!) and is a fledgling gardener, an avid reader, and a passionate cook.