NEBRASKA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION 500 Charleston, P.O. Box Lincoln, Nebraska

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2 NEBRASKA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION 500 Charleston, P.O. Box Lincoln, Nebraska This JOURNALISM MANUAL has been prepared and designed to provide general information in the administration of this activity. The sections of the Nebraska School Activities Association Bylaws and Approved Rulings related to this activity are included in this Manual. Debra Velder, Associate Director, is the NSAA staff member assigned to this activity. If schools have questions regarding this activity, they should be directed to her. She can be reached at Changes Norfolk will host the 2015 & 2016 NSAA State Journalism Championships Site will be Northeast Community College Lifelong Learning Center Number of Classes State Championship Qualifying Format Sweepstakes Scoring Key Dates Declaration to Participate in NSAA post-season competition January 23, 2015 Preliminary Entries Due By 11:59 p.m. March 2, 2015 State Contest Monday, April 27, 2015

3 NSAA MISSION STATEMENT The public and non-public high schools of Nebraska voluntarily agreed to form the Nebraska School Activities Association for the following purposes: To formulate and make policies which will cultivate high ideals of citizenship, fair competition, sportsmanship and teamwork which will complement the member schools curriculum programs; To foster uniformity of standards in interscholastic activity competition; To organize, develop, direct and regulate an interscholastic activity program which is equitable and will protect and promote the health and physical welfare of all participants. Index NSAA Mission Statement... 2 NSAA Bylaws & Approved Rulings Governing Journalism... 3 Entries... 3 Events for Preliminary Competition... 4 Preliminary Event Criteria Converting a WORD document to a PDF... 7 Converting InDesign Documents to PDFs... 7 Combining Multiple PDF Files in Adobe Acrobat... 9 Submitting Preliminary Entries... 9 Judges... 9 Protests... 9 Supervision of Students... 9 State Director... 9 Inclement Weather... 9 Highlighting selections in Adobe InDesign... 9 State Competition Events with Judging Criteria Judges Sweepstake Points Student Work Norfolk Community College Maps

4 NSAA Bylaws & Approved Rulings Governing Journalism Eligibility Certificates The NSAA requires member schools to complete an eligibility certificate on all students representing schools in non-athletic activities regulated by the NSAA Eligibility of Students Participation by students in any journalism competition shall be governed by the eligibility rules for all activities. NOTE: Participation for remuneration does not constitute ineligibility. 8.6 CLASSIFICATION Classification shall be based on the enrollment in grades nine, ten, and eleven according to the enrollment submitted to the Department of Education on the last Friday in September of the preceding school year The Board of Directors shall have the authority to divide the members into classes and place the member schools into these classes for competition in each activity sponsored by the Association. The number of classes will be determined by the number of schools that indicate intent to participate in the post season competition. Schools will be asked to declare their intent to participate in the post-season NSAA competition in January. Unisex schools' enrollments will not be doubled to determine official NSAA enrollment figure for classification purposes in journalism. EVENTS A school may submit a total of sixty-three entries in preliminary competition, with the breakdown as follows: 1. 3 entries per school Advertising (Newspaper or Yearbook) 2. 3 entries per school Newspaper Column Writing 3. 3 entries per school Newspaper Editorial Cartooning 4. 3 entries per school Newspaper Editorial Writing 5. 3 entries per school Entertainment Review Writing (Newspaper or Yearbook) 6. 3 entries per school Headline Writing (Newspaper or Yearbook) entries per school Newspaper Feature Writing 8. 3 entries per school Graphic Illustration (Newspaper or Yearbook) 9. 3 entries per school In-Depth Newspaper Coverage entries per school Newspaper Layout entries per school Newspaper News Writing entries per school Photo Illustration (Yearbook or Newspaper) entries per school Sports/Action Photography (Newspaper or Yearbook) entries per school News/Feature Photography (Newspaper or Newspaper) entries per school Newspaper Sports Feature Writing entries per school Sports News Writing (Newspaper or Yearbook) entries per school Yearbook Feature Writing entries per school Yearbook Layout entries per school Yearbook Theme Development entries per school Yearbook Sports Feature Writing entries per school Yearbook Theme Copy Writing Entries A student is not limited to the number of entries for preliminary judging. A school may enter no more than three entries in each event for preliminary judging. A student is limited to a maximum of two events at the NSAA State Championship. The top 12 in each event, in each class, as determined through the judging of the preliminary entries, will compete at the NSAA State Championship. 3

5 PRELIMINARY EVENT CRITERIA When submitting entries for the NSAA State Journalism Preliminaries, the following procedures must be followed: All entries must be the original work of the student(s). By logging in and submitting the entry, the advisor is verifying that the entry is original student work. Yearbook entries may be selected from the current year s book or work already published in last year s book if the work was NOT entered in last year s contest. Newspaper entries must have been published, electronically or in print, between March 2014 and March Do not send work from students who have graduated or who are no longer student at your school. ADVERTISING (NEWSPAPER OR YEARBOOK Criteria for judging: Overall effect, appearance, use of art, and quality of copy writing. Copy and design of the ad should be the work of the student. Emphasis will be put on design and copy writing. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Work must be that of an individual student except artwork used. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. NEWSPAPER COLUMN WRITING Criteria for judging: Originality, good taste, reader appeal, and quality of writing. The entry shall be a pdf of ONE original piece as it appeared at publication. One original column written by the student shall comprise the entry and must be saved as a single PDF document. Do not submit editorials for this contest, only columns. Headlines may be included. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL CARTOONING Criteria for judging: Expression of editorial idea, neatness, and quality of artistry. An editorial may accompany the cartoon if necessary to better understand the issue being presented. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL WRITING Criteria for judging: Structure, reader interest, journalistic style, quality of writing, and accomplishment of purpose. DO NOT SUBMIT COLUMNS for this contest, only editorials. Headlines may be included. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. ENTERTAINMENT REVIEW WRITING (NEWSPAPER OR YEARBOOK) Criteria for judging: Creativity, writing ability, sound knowledge of subject matter. Copy can include a review of movies, books, videos, concerts, restaurants, plays, etc. One original review written by the student must comprise the entry and be saved as a single PDF document. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. Headlines may be included. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. HEADLINE WRITING (NEWSPAPER OR YEARBOOK) Criteria for judging: Entry of three headlines should reflect timeliness, accuracy, news judgment, journalistic style and objectivity in relation to the story. Each entry must include the stories for which the headlines have been composed. Three headlines by each student shall comprise the entry and must be saved as a single PDF document. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. 4

6 NEWSPAPER FEATURE WRITING Criteria for judging: Originality, reader appeal or interest, quality of lead, emphasis on feature angle, color and quality of writing. Do not include poetry or columns in this contest. Examples include personality profiles, human-interest stories, historical perspectives, and single in-depth research articles. Remember that length is not a criterion of good feature writing. Headlines may be included. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION (NEWSPAPER OR YEARBOOK) Criteria for judging: Originality, readability, and appearance of the design as it combines graphics and text (info graphic); or creates an original, artistic illustration (hand-drawn or Adobe Illustrator art) to help explain or complement a story package. Emphasis will be on how well the graphic illustration blends with and enhances the content of the accompanying story. Entry must be published or intended to be published (yearbook). If other elements or pages (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. IN-DEPTH NEWSPAPER COVERAGE Criteria for judging: Newsworthiness, breadth of coverage, evidence of research, visual presentation. It is expected that entries include more than a single story, i.e., a story plus graphic illustrations, two or more stories or a combination of stories, graphics and photos. Single in-depth stories should be entered in the feature writing category. Team entries are accepted. Limit the number of contributing students to six for each entry. Include the student s names on the PDF submission. The entry shall be a pdf of the original pieces as they appeared at publication. If other elements or pages (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. NEWSPAPER LAYOUT Criteria for judging: Principles of good layout, graphic effect, legibility, and neatness. Any page layout may be entered. Only ONE piece is required. A single layout sample from each student must comprise the entry and be saved as a PDF document. Any page layout may be entered. Submit single page sheets or double truck spreads to be judged as a single unit. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. NEWS WRITING Criteria for judging: Timeliness, accuracy, balance, news judgment, significance, journalistic style, and objectivity. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. Headlines may be included. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION (YEARBOOK OR NEWSPAPER) Criteria for judging: Originality and composition. A photo illustration is an image produced by the use of two or more photographs. It may be a photo that has been digitally altered or enhanced to the extent that it no longer remains a straight photograph. The photo illustration must be created with the intent to publish and include the layout showing the accompanying story. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages that do not relate cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. An entry will be composed of one pdf. Include the student s name on the PDF submission. 5

7 SPORTS/ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY (NEWSPAPER OR YEARBOOK) Criteria for judging: Composition, impact, and quality. The work of three individual students can be entered in this contest. An entry is composed of two (2) photos per photographer. Photos need to be published (in some form) and be photo journalistic i.e. help tell a story and include at least one person. If only one photo is submitted per photographer, the entry will be disqualified. Submit both Sports/Action photos digitally as jpg files. NEWS/FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY (YEARBOOK OR NEWSPAPER) Criteria for judging: Composition, impact, and quality. The work of three individual students can be entered in this contest. An entry is composed of two (2) photos per photographer. Photos need to be published (in some form) and be photo journalistic i.e. help tell a story and include at least one person. If only one photo is submitted per photographer, the entry will be disqualified. Submit both News/Feature photos digitally as jpg files. NEWSPAPER SPORTS FEATURE WRITING Criteria for judging: The entry should be a feature-oriented, sports angle story. Examples would be sports personality features, individuals who are behind the scenes in athletics, and any other feature story with a sports angle. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. Headline may be included. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the last page of the PDF submission. SPORTS NEWS WRITING (NEWSPAPER OR YEARBOOK) Individual Event Criteria for judging: Timeliness, accuracy, balance, news judgment, significance, journalistic style, and objectivity of a sports news story (such as historic events, traditions, venues, the hiring/firing of a coach, change in rules, player injury, record-breaking performance, college signing, game summaries or other newsworthy events involving sports). The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. Headlines may be included. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the last page of the PDF submission. YEARBOOK FEATURE WRITING Individual Event Criteria for judging: Accuracy, quality of writing and reader appeal. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared at publication. Do not send philosophical copy as found in opening, closing or division pages of the yearbook. (This does not, however, automatically exclude division page copy if it is written as a feature.) Headlines may be included. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the last page of the PDF submission. YEARBOOK LAYOUT Criteria for judging: Principles of good layout, creativity and neatness. The entry will consist of a double-page spread. The entries must be a pdf of a completed layout. All entries must be the original work by student(s). For example, using a pre-designed company layout to submit for the yearbook layout category would not be acceptable. Include the student s name on the last page of the PDF submission. YEARBOOK THEME DEVELOPMENT Criteria for judging: Creativity, writing ability, establishment of theme, and freshness of approach. Students can submit opening and division page copy, layouts, cover design, end sheet design, etc. Group these theme pages together as a single multiple-page pdf file. It is understood that theme development may be a team effort, and a team shall consist of no more than three students. Reminder: A maximum of three students may compete in the Championships of this event. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared or as it is intended to appear at publication. List the contributing students names on a single page at the beginning of the PDF file submitted. 6

8 YEARBOOK SPORTS FEATURE WRITING Criteria for judging: Accuracy, quality of writing and reader appeal. The entry should be feature-oriented from the sports section of the yearbook. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared or as it is intended to appear at publication. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Include the student s name on the last page of the PDF submission. YEARBOOK THEME COPY WRITING Criteria for judging: accuracy, quality of writing and reader appeal. Each entry is composed of one sample written by any one student from the opening or closing and/or any division spreads. If the writing is a feature, enter it under the Yearbook Feature Writing or Yearbook Sports Feature Writing categories. This contest is for the more philosophical or general theme related copy. The entry shall be a pdf of the original piece as it appeared or is intended to appear at publication. Headlines may be included. If other elements (parts of other articles, artwork, etc.) or pages cannot be cut from the entry, be sure to designate the entry within the pdf file submitted with a yellow box outline. Each entry must be submitted as a single pdf document. Include the student s name on the last page of the PDF submission. Converting a WORD document to a PDF 1. With the story open, go to FILE and PRINT 2. When the PRINT screen appears, click on the PDF button on the lower left. 3. From the PDF drop-down menu, select SAVE AS PDF. Name document. 4. Your WORD document is now a PDF, ready to upload. Converting InDesign Documents to PDFs 1. Open Document 2. In MENU bar, go to FILE and select ADOBE PDF Presets 3. Select the PDF of your choice (typically, HIGH QUALITY PRINT) 4. Name the PDF 5. Submit PDF Combining Multiple PDF Files in Adobe Acrobat Using Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro To combine multiple PDF files: 1. Open Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro 2. Click Combine > Merge files into a single PDF 3. Click Add Files to locate the PDF files to be combined. Double-click a PDF file to add it to the list, or use the [Ctrl]-click combination to select multiple files in the same directory and then click Add Files. 4. To change the order of the files in the list, select the appropriate PDF and click Move Up or Move Down as needed. 5. Select Default File Size for the file size and conversion setting. If the PDF document is over the 3MB size limitation, then try using the Smaller File Size setting. 6. Click Next once all of the files to be combined have been added and are in the desired sequence. 7. Select Merge Files into a Single PDF and then click Create. 8. Review the results to ensure accuracy and then click Save. 9. Browse to the location on your computer where you wish to save the document, name the file, and then click Save. Using Adobe Acrobat 8.0 Acrobat 8.0 allows you to combine multiple PDF files with the Document > Insert Pages command, or by using the Create PDF > From Multiple Files command. To insert a PDF document into a currently opened PDF document: 1. Open the target document. 2. With the target PDF document open, choose Document > Insert Pages. 7

9 3. In the Select File to Insert dialog box, locate and select the document you want to insert into the target document, and click Select. 4. In the Insert Pages dialog box, specify whether you want to insert the document before or after the specified page. Then specify whether the document is to be inserted before or after the first page, last page, or a specific page number. Click OK. 5. Save the combined document under the desired filename, or return to step 2 to insert another document. To combine multiple PDF files: 1. Open Adobe Acrobat Click File > Create PDF > From Multiple Files 3. Click Add Files to locate the PDF files to be combined. Double-click a PDF file to add it to the list, or use the [Ctrl]-click combination to select multiple files in the same directory and then click Add Files. 4. To change the order of the files in the list, select the appropriate PDF and click Move Up or Move Down as needed. 5. Select Default File Size for the file size and conversion setting. If the PDF document is over the 3MB size limitation, then try using the Smaller File Size setting. 6. Click Next once all of the files to be combined have been added and are in the desired sequence. 7. Select Merge Files into a Single PDF and then click Create. 8. Review the results to ensure accuracy and then click Save. 9. Browse to the location on your computer where you wish to save the document, name the file, and then click Save. Using Adobe Acrobat 6.0 and 7.0 Acrobat 6.0 and 7.0 allow you to combine multiple PDF files with the Document > Insert Pages command, or by using the Create PDF > From Multiple Files command. To insert a PDF document into a currently opened PDF document: 1. Open the target document. 2. With the target PDF document open, choose Document > Insert Pages. 3. In the Select File to Insert dialog box, locate and select the document you want to insert into the target document, and click Select. 4. In the Insert Pages dialog box, specify whether you want to insert the document before or after the specified page. Then specify whether the document is to be inserted before or after the first page, last page, or a specific page number. Click OK. 5. Save the combined document under the desired filename, or return to step 2 to insert another document. To combine multiple PDF files: 1. Open Adobe Acrobat 6.0 or Acrobat Click File > Create PDF > From Multiple Files 3. Click Browse to locate the PDF files to be combined. Double-click a PDF file to add it to the list, or use the [Ctrl]-click combination to select multiple files in the same directory and then click Add. 4. To change the order of files in the list, select the appropriate PDF and click Move Up or Move Down as needed. 5. Click OK when all of the files to be combined have been added and are in the desired sequence. 6. Click File > Reduce File Size. Change the Compatible with field to Acrobat 4.0 and later 7. Click OK. 8. Enter the desired filename and click Save. 8

10 Using Adobe Acrobat 5.0 Acrobat 5.0 allows you to combine multiple PDF files with the Insert Pages command. To insert a PDF document into a currently opened PDF document: 1. Open the target document. 2. With the target PDF document open, choose Document > Insert Pages 3. In the Select File to Insert dialog box, locate and select the document you want to insert into the target document, and click Select. 4. In the Insert Pages dialog box, specify whether you want to insert the document before or after the specified page. Then specify whether the document is to be inserted before or after the first page, last page, or a specific page number. Click OK. 5. Save the combined document under the desired filename, or return to step 2 to insert another document. Highlighting selections in Adobe InDesign Open the file in Adobe InDesign 1. Click on Swatches and select a yellow outline box. 2. Select a stroke point size that will highlight your selection. 3. Select the rectangle tool and draw a box around the portion of your page that you wish to highlight. 4. Click save and name your file> save. 5. These need to be converted into a PDF file and combined with files to create a single PDF for categories that require multiple selections. Submitting Preliminary Entries Go to the NSAA website, nsaahome.org to logon To logon, go to AD/Coaches/Colleges and select your school from the dropdown list Enter your journalism advisor s pass code Select Journalism from the Activity Select (Entry Form) drop down Click on NSAA Journalism Contest Entry Submission Select Category (ie. Event) Student Name Select the student s name from the drop-down list. Label: Name School. Wait for the entry to upload. The progress bar will turn completely green when the upload is 100% complete. SAVE ENTRIES - When your school s entries have been uploaded, hit Save Entries at the bottom of the page. Judges Judges will be contracted by the NSAA. Protests Protests regarding the decision of judges will not be heard. Supervision of Students. Neither a school team nor individuals shall be permitted to compete in a district or state contest unless the team or individual is accompanied by the head coach, school administrator, or a certificated staff member. State Director. The director of the tournament is granted full authority for the conduct and management of the tournament and is responsible for administration of rules and regulations and for accounting for all finances. Inclement Weather. Snowstorms or other inclement weather conditions may force the postponement of a district or state contest. The tournament director has the sole authority for the postponement and rescheduling of such contest. In determining whether to postpone or to hold the contest as scheduled, the director should consider the following factors: 9

11 1. The weather and road conditions at the site of the contest. 2. Existing weather and road conditions at the location of the schools that are to compete that day. 3. Road conditions between tournament site and the competing schools. 4. The weather conditions immediately prior to, during, and following the contest, as reported by the weather bureau. If, after considering the various factors, the tournament director determines that competition is to go on as scheduled, all schools are to be notified early enough to allow each team sufficient time to travel to the contest site. State Competition 1. There will be one round in each event. 2. One judge will be used in each event. 3. Competitors in each of the 21 categories will be given an assignment. The competitors will have onehour time limit to complete a story, layout, editorial cartoon or theme. 4. Each competitor must provide a lap-top/ipad to compete in the events for which they have qualified that require a computer. If the event requires page design software, the student must have the program uploaded onto the laptop they will be using. 5. Students may bring blank paper, pencils, pens, or markers. 6. Prohibited items: newspapers, magazines, writing guides, samples, idiom dictionaries, etc. 7. Final submissions will be submitted on a flash drive provided. a. Advertising Using a page design software, students will be provided art and a fact sheet or client presentation from which to develop a display advertisement. Judging Criteria: Overall effect, appearance, use of art, and quality of copy writing. b. Newspaper Column Writing Students will select one of three topics and write a column aimed a high school audience. Judging Criteria: Originality, good taste, reader appeal, and quality writing. c. Newspaper Editorial Cartooning Students will select one of three topics and create an editorial suitable for a high school student newspaper. Students shall provide either a lap-top computer/ipad or blank paper, pencils, pens, or markers but no additional materials such as newspapers, magazines, writing guides, etc. will be allowed in the contest room. Criteria for judging: Expression of editorial idea, neatness, and quality of artistry. d. Editorial Writing Newspaper Students will assume the role of a reporter for a student newspaper. From information provided, the student will write an editorial for the school newspaper. Statements may be attributed to individuals as direct or indirect quotes. Change may not be made as to the meaning of the statement. Criteria for judging: Structure, reader interest, journalistic style, quality of writing, and accomplishment of purpose. e. Entertainment Review Writing Students will view a video of a performance and write a review of the performance to appear in the next issue of a school newspaper. Criteria for judging: Creativity, writing ability, sound knowledge of subject matter f. Headline Writing (Newspaper or Yearbook) Students shall write three headlines from five stories provided. Three completed headlines for submission shall represent the following: 1. One - line headline with no more than 10 words total. 2. Two - line headline with no more than 6 words per line. 3. Three - line headline with no more than 5 words per line. Judging Criteria: Headlines should reflect timeliness, accuracy, news judgment, journalistic style and objectivity in relation to the story. 10

12 g. Graphic Illustration (Newspaper or Yearbook) Students will be provided a story package and create an original illustration to explain the content. Criteria for judging: Originality, readability, and appearance of the design as it combines graphics and text. Emphasis will be on how well the graphic illustration blends with and enhances the content of the accompanying story. h. News Writing Students will assume the role of a reporter for a school newspaper. Background information will be provided to include facts and quotes from which to write a news story. Contestants may use the statements provided them as direct/indirect quotes attributed to those mentioned in their stories. Criteria for judging: Timeliness, accuracy, balance, news judgment, significance, journalistic style, and objectivity. i. Newspaper Feature Writing Students will assume the role of a reporter for a school newspaper. Information will be given to write a feature story for a high school newspaper. Direct or indirect quotes may be attributed to individuals; however, the meaning of the quotes cannot be changed. Criteria for judging: Originality, reader appeal or interest, quality of lead, emphasis or feature angle, color and quality of writing. j. Newspaper Layout Students will need to provide a computer with page design software for this event. Students will design a front page using a minimum of one brief, three stories and one photo. Criteria for judging: Principles of good layout, graphic effect, legibility, and neatness. k. In-Depth Newspaper Coverage Students will develop coverage of a subject utilizing a combination of stories, graphics, and photos based on a topic of their choice. Criteria for judging: News writing, breadth of coverage, facts and story line, and visual presentation. l. Photo Illustration (Yearbook or Newspaper) Students will be provided photographs and an accompanying story to create a layout for publication. Criteria for Judging: Originality and composition. m. Sports/Action Photography (Newspaper or Yearbook) Students must bring their own camera, blank digital storage device/card and USB cord. Students will be given an assignment and a deadline to turn in their storage device/card with their submission. Criteria for judging: Composition, impact and quality. n. News/Feature Photography (Yearbook or Newspaper) Students must bring their own camera, blank digital storage device/card and USB cord. Students will be given an assignment and a deadline to turn in their storage device/card with their submission. Criteria for judging: Composition, impact and quality. o. Sports Feature Writing (Newspaper) Students will assume the role of a sports reporter for a school newspaper. Information will be given to write a feature story for a high school newspaper. Statements attributed to individuals as direct or indirect quotes may be used; however, the meaning of a statement may not be changed. Criteria for Judging: Accuracy, quality, creativity, originality of writing and reader appeal. p. Sports News Writing (Newspaper) Students will assume the role of a sports reporter for a school newspaper. Information will be given to write a news story for a high school newspaper. Statements attributed as direct or indirect/indirect quote. Criteria for Judging: Timeliness, accuracy, balance, news judgment, significance, journalistic style, and objectivity of a sports news story. 11

13 q. Yearbook Feature Writing Students will be given background information, facts and quotes and write a feature story that would appear in the clubs or student life sections of the yearbook. Statements attributed to individuals as direct or indirect quotes may be used. Criteria for Judging: Accuracy, quality, creativity, originality of writing and reader appeal. r. Yearbook Layout Students shall assume the role of a yearbook designer. Using a template, photos, story blocks provided on the flash drive, students will design a yearbook spread. Create a headline and captions, if used. The spread should include one story block, but the length can be determined by the layout/design, not by the content. Criteria for Judging: Principles of good layout, creativity and neatness. s. Yearbook Theme Development Students shall select a theme from options provided and design an opening page spread. A flash drive will be provided with a selection of photos to utilize. Using page design software double page spread, design your layout. Students will write their own copy. Judging Criteria: Creativity, writing ability, establishment of theme, and freshness of approach. t. Yearbook Sports Feature Writing Students will be given background information, facts and quotes and write a sports feature story that would appear in the sports section of the yearbook. Statements attributed to individuals as direct or indirect quotes may be used. Judging Criteria: Accuracy, quality, creativity, originality of writing and reader appeal. u. Yearbook Theme Copy Writing Students will assume the role of a yearbook editor and choose from three themes provided to write an opening, closing and division page for the book. Each block of copy should be clearly labeled and each should be at least 150 but not more than 300 words. Judging Criteria: Accuracy, quality of writing and reader appeal. Judges Judges will be hired and contracted by the NSAA. Sweepstake Points Sweepstakes points for the state journalism championship will be scored as follows: First place 20 Points Second Place 18 Points Third Place 16 Points Fourth Place 14 Points Fifth Place 12 Points Sixth Place 10 Points Sweepstakes points for the NSAA State Journalism Championship will be based on state placements in each event. 1. The team with the greatest number of points shall be the sweepstakes winner. 2. The team with the second greatest number of points shall be the runner-up. 3. The winning advisor will also be presented with an NSAA award. 4. State championship and/or runner-up journalism teams may purchase state medals for their teams through the NSAA. 5. The top 6 in each event will receive a medal for the place they receive. Student Work Student work may be picked up by the school s advisor at the completion of the Awards Ceremony. 12

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