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EVALUATION CRITERIA

Publications Contest Evaluation Criteria

Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria

A submission is awarded 1 point for each objective it meets in its category, with a possible total of 5 points for meeting all five objectives. The judge will then give a rating for how well the project was executed overall, with the possibility of receiving up to 5 additional points for quality.

Quality

  • 1 Point: Meets all objective criteria and is highly successful in its overall execution.
  • 2 Points: Meets all objective criteria and is highly successful in its overall execution, and is distinct from other materials of a similar nature.
  • 3 Points: Meets all objective criteria and is highly successful in its overall execution, and is distinct from other materials of a similar nature and exceeds expectations due to exceptionally high quality of work performed in each objective criteria category.
  • 4 Points: Meets all objective criteria and is highly successful in its overall execution and is distinct from other materials of a similar nature and exceeds expectations due to exceptionally high quality of work performed in each objective criteria category and demonstrates a WOW factor in some way.
  • 5 Points: Meets all objective criteria and is highly successful in its overall execution and is distinct from other materials of a similar nature and exceeds expectations due to exceptionally high quality of work performed in each objective criteria category and demonstrates a WOW factor in some way and introduces innovative ideas and practices in its category.

Category Objectives (1 point for each objective met)

  • Annual Report
    • The report has appropriate content and demonstrates brand consistency.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
    • The content is informative and would have a positive impact on the community’s experience with the district.
    • The layout lends to readability and flows smoothly from section to section.
    • There are no grammatical or spelling errors.
  • Branding/Image Package
  • Calendar
    • The report has appropriate content and demonstrates brand consistency.
    • There are no grammatical or spelling errors.

    • The layout lends to readability and flows smoothly from section to section.

    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.

    • The content is informative and would have a positive impact on the community’s experience with the district.

  • Crisis Communication
    • The writing is clear and concise while using a consistent writing style.
    • The language and tone/voice choices are appropriate for its intended audience.
    • Topics are made easy to understand.
    • The entry demonstrates high-quality writing, using good grammar, effective storytelling and makes good use of imagery.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
  • Financial Publication
  • Handbook/Guide
    • The report has appropriate content and demonstrates brand consistency.
    • There are no grammatical or spelling errors.
    • The layout lends to readability and flows smoothly from section to section.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
    • The content is informative and would have a positive impact on the community’s experience with the district.
  • Infographic
  • Magazine
  • Marketing Material
    • The publication demonstrates high-quality writing and effective storytelling.

    • The publication uses good grammar, is clean, effective and makes good use of imagery.

    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.

    • The content is informative and would have a positive impact on the community’s experience with the district.

    • The publication has appropriate content and demonstrates brand consistency.

  • Newsletter
    • The report has appropriate content and demonstrates brand consistency.
    • There are no grammatical or spelling errors.
    • The layout lends to readability and flows smoothly from section to section.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
    • The content is informative and would have a positive impact on the community’s experience with the district.
  • News Release
  • Photo/Photo Series
    • The entry demonstrates a clear objective.
    • The entry displays technical skill and is successfully executed.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
    • The entry is able to grab and hold the attention of the intended audience.
    • The entry is creative and eye-catching.
  • Podcast
    • The entry demonstrates a clear objective.
    • The entry displays technical skill and is successfully executed.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.

    • The entry is able to grab and hold the attention of the intended audience.

    • The entry is creative and eye-catching.

  • Social Media
    • The photos and graphics used help to tell the story and enhance the written message.
    • The entry is creative, eye-catching and compelling.
    • The entry has appropriate content and demonstrates brand consistency.
    • The content is timely and includes multiple formats.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
  • Special Project, Event or Program
    • The entry demonstrates originality. 
    • The entry displays skill and is successfully executed.
    • Marketing materials demonstrate brand consistency and are visually appealing.
    • The project, event, or program has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
    • The marketing materials are free of grammatical or spelling errors.
  • Special Purpose Publication

    • The publication demonstrates high-quality writing and effective storytelling.

    • The publication uses good grammar, is clean, effective and makes good use of imagery.

    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.

    • The content is informative and would have a positive impact on the community’s experience with the district.

    • The publication has appropriate content and demonstrates brand consistency.

  • Video (Series)
    • The entry demonstrates a clear objective.
    • The entry displays technical skill and is successfully executed.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
    • The entry is able to grab and hold the attention of the intended audience.
    • The entry is creative and eye-catching.
  • Video (Singular)
    • The entry demonstrates a clear objective.
    • The entry displays technical skill and is successfully executed.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
    • The entry is able to grab and hold the attention of the intended audience.
    • The entry is creative and eye-catching.
  • Website
    • The photos and graphics used help to tell the story and enhance the written message.
    • The entry is creative, eye-catching and compelling.
    • The entry has appropriate content and demonstrates brand consistency.
    • The content is timely and includes multiple formats.
    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.
  • Writing
    • The writing is clear and concise while using a consistent writing style.

    • The language and tone/voice choices are appropriate for its intended audience.

    • Topics are made easy to understand.

    • The entry demonstrates high-quality writing, using good grammar, effective storytelling and makes good use of imagery.

    • The content has a clear objective and successfully meets its goal.