Annual STC Australia Competition accepting submissions!

Every year the STC Australia Chapter runs a technical writing competition to find the best of breed technical communication Australia has to offer.

Information about this contest was sent to the email accounts of STC members. However, the contest is open to all, and the entry form is long, so I thought I'd give a summary for those deciding if this competition is for them.

Find out more after the jump. 

The Basics

Entries in all categories must:

• Contain sufficient technical, scientific, medical, or similar content to qualify as technical communication.
• Have been produced or substantially revised within 24 months preceding 1 November of the  current year.
• Have been originally prepared for and accepted for publication by a client, employer or publisher.

Whether you win an award or not, you will receive the local judges' evaluations of your entry. That means at the very least you'll get an experienced and fresh set of expert eyes looking at your work.

You can submit something with up to 3 authors. 

The Categories

The entry form lists 3 headings under which technical communications material can be submitted: Technical Publications, Technical Art, and Online Communication.

Each heading has a number of acceptable categories which are defined towards the end of the entry form. I've given a couple of examples from each heading, there are many more in the entry form.

Online Communication Competition Categories

• Technical Marketing 

• Demonstrations 

• Books

Technical Art Competition Categories

• Packaging Design

• Promotional Materials Design

• Interpretative Illustration, Line 

• Photograph 

• Informational Poster Design

Technical Publications Competition Categories

• Promotional Materials 

• Noncomputer Equipment Guides 

• Trade/News Articles

• Training Materials 

• Scholarly/Professional Articles

• Software Guides 

• Scholarly/Professional Journals

• Newsletters

The technical publications competition accepts only physical media (hardcopy) entries, including printed PDF versions of electronic documents.

The Criteria

Technical publications are rated on four factors: writing, graphics, copyediting, and overall integration. All factors are judged in the context of the purpose, content, and organisation of the document.

Technical art is judged on how well it visually communicates a technical message. Judges evaluate the visual appeal, technical execution, and presentation of each entry to determine awards based on the entry’s strengths and weaknesses.

Online communication is judged in the context of the entry’s stated purpose and audience. Judges evaluate the content, structure, and design of each entry, and determine awards based on the individual entry’s strengths and weaknesses and how well it fulfilled its purpose.

The Cost

$85 for STC members, $95 for non-members.

The Forms

Competition details are here. Entry form is here.

For more information email Marcia competitions@stc-aus.org.au