Changes in general contest rules and policy

CLICK HERE for complete Write-off rules

BEFORE THE CONVENTION

• NEW: Junior high / middle school students have the option of competing against their peers in categories 47-50 or in any high school contest.

CONVENTION AND COMPETITION

• REVISION: Students who arrive at their contest after the start time may be disqualified. Students who leave before their entry is submitted or who leave critique sessions early may be disqualified.
• REMINDER: On-Air Reporter, Broadcast Commentary, Commentary and editorial contestants need to take special note of the rule prohibiting a contestant's name, school name or identifying mark from being mentioned or implied.
• NEW: Students need to check individual categories and contests for materials requirements.Bring your own lined and/or plain paper for writing contests. JEA will provide layout sheets. Battery-operated tape recorders with earphones, electronic spell checkers, dictionaries, thesauruses, and AP Stylebooks are allowed during the contests.
• NEW: Do not bring the following items into the contest room: food and drink, art supplies, colored pens of pencils, samples of your or others’ work, computers.
• NEW: Cell phones and personal listening devices must be turned off during the contests and critiques.
• NEW: No talking to other contestants other than in critique sessions. Ask the moderator or monitor to answer any questions.
• NEW: Students must write their contestant number on each page of their written entry, or on the backs of matted entries. Number any pages and staple them together.
• NEW: Each contest has a moderator who will open the contest promptly, give all explanations,
  hand out assignment sheets, introduce the speaker if one is required for the contest, and see that all time limits are followed, including speaker time which allows 70 minutes of writing time for students. No contestant will be given additional time. Moderators must collect all materials before contestants leave the room.
• NEW: Computer design, photography, and Newsmagazine Layout contests require contestants
  to attend on-site critique sessions on Friday, 4–6 p.m. Broadcast carry-in contestants must check the convention program and update for time and place to meet on Friday. Otherwise risking disqualification, students must be present for the entire session. Moderators and participants will view and discuss each entry in small groups. Judging does not occur during this process.

JUDGING THE CONTESTS

• REVISION: Judges may not participate in evaluating entries from their own schools.

AWARDS

• REVISION: Winning entries may be displayed or published in JEA publications or on its Web site. Winners’ names and schools will be published on the JEA Web site.
• REVISION: Contest entries are made available for pickup at the Sunday awards ceremony. Unclaimed packets will be mailed to the school. Oversized entries must be picked up as they will not be mailed.

Changes in contest-specific rules

CLICK HERE for a complete version
CLICK HERE to download complete Write-off rules (PDF)

Intro to Write-off Contest General Rules and Guidelines has been eliminated and incorporated into the General Contest Rules and Policy page, or into individual contest areas

2. EDITORIAL WRITING

Contestants need to be careful not to use any reference to their school or publication.

5. REVIEW WRITING

• The 30-minute presentation may now also include attending a museum show. 
• There may or may not be a question-and-answer period.

7. COMMENTARY WRITING

• The commentary will be written in (erasable) ink.
• Contestants need to be careful not to use any reference to their school or publication.

ALERT: The nature of this contest has been changed to a carry-in contest. See detailed requirements in the contest rules

YEARBOOK CONTESTS

• Contestants may bring a cropper for contests 16, 17, and 18.
• Contestants my bring a font book.

16. YEARBOOK LAYOUT: THEME

• All designs will be completed by hand on size 8 (8.5 by 11 inches) layout mats provided to you.
• Specify your column or grid format in the upper right hand corner (i.e. 20 grids per page)

17. YEARBOOK LAYOUT: INSIDE PAGES

“You may use any approach you desire, from traditional to scatter story to two single-page layouts.” Replaced with “You must have a minimum of one block of copy per spread but multiple copy units are acceptable.”

• All designs will be completed by hand on size 8 (8.5 by 11 inches) layout mats provided to you.
• Specify your column or grid format in the upper right hand corner (i.e. 20 grids per page)

18. YEARBOOK COVER/ENDSHEETS

• All designs will be completed by hand on size 8 (8.5 by 11 inches) layout mats provided to you.

LITERARY MAGAZINE CONTESTS

• Contestants may, optionally, provide their own charcoal.

20. LITERARY MAGAZINE: POETRY

ALERT: The description of the nature and judging of this contest has changed significantly.

21. LITERARY MAGAZINE: ILLUSTRATION

Contestants may draw their final entry in charcoal.

Judging now reads: "Adaptation of the art to the copy; originality in interpretation that captures the spirit of the prose or poem prompt. Students will exhibit their control of the medium, design, and artistic techniques, and demonstrate their understanding of reproduction requirements.”

COMPUTER DESIGN CONTESTS

Requirements now read:

• Include hard copy of your entry; verification forms are NOT required.
• Do mount your entry on 11-by-14-inch black, gray or white photo mounting boards.  Designs have no minimum size; the maximum is 11-by-14 inches.  Oversized entries will be disqualified.
• Write ID number on the back of the mounting board(s).
• To illustrate the context of the entry, include tearsheets or photocopies by attaching them to entry with a clip and slipping them into an envelope.  Put your ID number on the upper right-hand corner of the envelope.
• Do not mail entry.

22. COMPUTER DESIGN: HEADLINE (carry-in)

The nature of the contest requires the three headlines be mounted separately on 11-by-14-inch mounting board.

23. COMPUTER DESIGN: LOGO (carry-in)

The nature of the contest requires the three logos be mounted separately on 11-by-14-inch mounting board.

24. COMPUTER DESIGN: INFOGRAPHICS (carry-in)

The nature of the contest requires the infographic be mounted on 11-by-14-inch mounting board.

25. COMPUTER DESIGN: ADVERTISING (carry-in)

The nature of the contest requires the ad design be mounted on 11-by-14-inch mounting board.

26. COMPUTER DESIGN: ART ILLUSTRATION (carry-in)

The nature of the contest requires the illustration be mounted on 11-by-14-inch mounting board.

The judges will additionally look for use of imagination, audience consideration (what to buy, not sell) and adherence to contest rules.

27. COMPUTER DESIGN: PHOTOSHOP ART (carry-in)

The nature of the contest requires the art or illustration be mounted on 11-by-14-inch mounting board.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTESTS

• Contestant must provide a caption for each photograph
• There is no minimum size for photos; the maximum is 11-by-14.
• Captions must be attached to the back of each photo mount.
• Entries mounted larger or smaller than 11-by-14 inches will be disqualified.
• At the contest, put your photographs inside the large envelope provided; write your contest number on the back of each mount, and on the upper right-hand corner of the envelope.

BROADCAST CONTESTS

ALERT: The requirements of these contests have changed significantly, including changes to acceptable forms of media.  

34. BROADCAST: NEWS STORY (carry-in)

The name has been changed from Video News Story to Broadcast News Story.

The story must have been broadcast at school or in the community from March of this year for the fall convention and during this school year for the spring convention. May no longer be submitted on a CD/DVD as a QuickTime or Windows Media file.

Judges will look for clips exhibiting news judgment. Time limit must be met + or – 3 seconds.

35. BROADCAST: SPORTS STORY (carry-in)

The name has been changed from Video Sports Story to Broadcast Sports Story.

The story must have been broadcast at school or in the community from March of this year for the fall convention and during this school year for the spring convention. May no longer be submitted on a CD/DVD as a QuickTime or Windows Media file.

Judges will look for clips that provide a new perspective and for voiceovers delivered with liveliness and clarity.  Time limit must be met + or – 3 seconds.

36. BROADCAST: FEATURE STORY (carry-in)

The name has been changed from Video Feature Story to Broadcast Feature Story.

Students may enter as individuals. The story must have been broadcast at school or in the community from March of this year for the fall convention and during this school year for the spring convention. May no longer be submitted on a CD/DVD as a QuickTime or Windows Media file.

Judges will look for stories told in a manner that sustains interest, and voiceovers that are well-recorded and delivered with liveliness and clarity.

37. BROADCAST: COMMERCIAL/PSA (carry-in)

The name has been changed from Video Commercial/PSA to Broadcast Commercial/PSA.

The piece entered must be submitted on DVD, MiniDV or CD. Pieces produced by radio or TV students are eligible.

Judges will look for accurate content.

38. BROADCAST: LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE (carry-in)

The name has been changed from Video Live Sports Coverage to Broadcast Live Sports Coverage.

May no longer be submitted on a CD/DVD as a QuickTime or Windows Media file.

39. IN-CAMERA FEATURE

The preferred format for the camcorder provided by the contestant is Mini DV.  You must submit your entry on a new Mini DV.

40. ON-AIR REPORTER

Contestant must provide his or her own Mini DV.

The nature of the contest no longer assigns students a time to pick up their news copy.  The interview phase is composed of no more than three questions and responses.

Judges will look for professional appearance and expect display of news judgment and selection of significant information.

41. BROADCAST NEWSWRITING

Alert: The nature and judging of this contest has changed significantly.

42. BROADCAST PACKAGE 

The name has been changed from Video Package to Broadcast Package.

JEA will provide tables

TRT is 1:28-1:30 minutes.  The contest topic will be given at the general session.  The entry must be submitted on a DVD, Mini DV, or Quicktime or Windows Media files saved on a CD or DVD.

43. VIDEOGRAPHY

Only Mini DV will be allowed.

44. BROADCAST COMMENTARY

The name has been changed from Video Commentary to Broadcast Commentary. 

Topics are provided by a JEA moderator at an orientation meeting (note room/time in convention program and update).  Students will draw for order of taping.

Judges will consider poise and personal appearance.

45. RADIO NEWS

JEA will provide a large envelope.

Contestants are now allowed to use a computer to edit their audio in addition to being able to edit recorder-to-recorder.  Contestants editing on a computer must furnish their own computer with editing software and a CD to burn entry. Contestants are no longer required to present the original recording of the actuality on a second tape for judges to check.

46. PODCAST (carry-in)