Here are the general instructions for preparing your entries:

1. • For writing categories, unless otherwise noted, an entry must consist of  1) a complete tearsheet with the item (story or column) clearly marked or outlined, or 2) a complete printout from a newspaper’s website archive if the printout contains a publication date as proof of eligibility and the printout is identical to the print version. Clipped stories or columns are not acceptable.
   No bound or mounted entries, please.
   

• For photo entries, an entry consists of 1) a complete tearsheet with the photo clearly marked or outlined, or 2) a print of the photo (not to exceed 8x10) and, as proof of publication, a tearsheet or a PDF printout of the newspaper page containing the photo.

• Newspaper, date of publication, category name, category number, and name of staff member (where applicable) to receive the award must be typed or printed on an entry label for each entry. Also the newspaper circulation class must be indicated. Entry labels (enclosed) must be pasted or taped on each entry. Make additional copies of the entry labels as required. Do not attach the label with paper clips or staples. All entries become the property of the Nevada Press Foundation.

• A completed tally sheet and check for payment of all entry fees must accompany each newspaper’s entries. Please coordinate entries among departments so that one tally sheet and check are sent.

• Place entries in envelopes according to contest category. For example, place all feature photo entries in one envelope. Each entry must have an entry label.  Do not paste or glue envelopes shut.

• Each contest envelope should be clearly marked with the name of the newspaper, contest category number and name and entry class; i.e. NEVADA APPEAL, #30 Feature Photo, Class 1.

• Please be neat. Information from the labels is used for making the awards. Do not send original artwork. It will not be returned. Do not mount artistic entries.

#1 General Excellence

This represents the highest award given. Entries should reflect the best of our industry. Newspapers will be judged on:

• Local, general/departmental news

• Editorial comment/page

• Thoroughness of local coverage

• General appearance, style, design, photo use and graphics

• Advertising enterprise

All entries must be complete copies without preprint ad inserts.

DAILY PAPERS

Send four issues total as follows: any Tuesday issue published April 1, 2008—June 30, 2008; any Wednesday issue published July 1, 2008—Sept. 30, 2008; any Thursday issue published Oct. 1, 2008—Dec. 31, 2008; and any issue published Monday through Friday Jan. 1, 2009—March 31, 2009.

WEEKLY PAPERS:

Send four issues total as follows: any issue published April 1, 2008—June 30, 2008; any issue published July 1, 2008—Sept. 30, 2008; any issue published Oct. 1, 2008—Dec. 31, 2008; and any issue published Jan. 1, 2009—March 31, 2009.

#2 OUTSTANDING JOURNALIST

This category recognizes outstanding service and performance to the profession of journalism during the contest year. Entrants may come from any segment of the newsroom.

Two awards will be given:

   ● For a journalist at a daily paper

   ● For a journalist at a weekly paper.

Limit of two entries per newspaper.

Submit written statements of the nominee’s journalistic achievements and a brief resume of the nominee.

Each nomination should be accompanied by at least four examples of the nominee’s work during the contest year.

#3 JOURNALIST OF MERIT

This category is designed to encourage journalists of any age with less than five years experience in newspaper work to stay in the newspaper industry. It’s our way of saying, “You have a future in this profession.”

Entrants may come from any segment of the newsroom.

Submit written statements of the nominee’s journalistic achievements and a brief resume of the nominee.  Each nomination should be accompanied by at least four examples of the nominee’s work during the contest year.

Awards will be given in all circulation classes. 

Limit of two entries per newspaper.

#4 COMMUNITY SERVICE

Service to the community in one or more ways as demonstrated through a series of stories, marketing/advertising materials, editorial crusade, photos, etc.

Materials should be related to a single project, drive or campaign. Entries should reflect results, community impact, and extra time and involvement by the staff. Proof of results contained in stories published after the end of the contest year (March 31, 2009) may be included.

Enclose tearsheets and other materials, along with a letter of explanation. Do not mount entries or use scrapbooks.

Limit of two entries per newspaper.

#5 STORY OF THE YEAR

Any piece that tells a compelling story and holds the viewer’s interest.

One category for all newspapers.

Criteria:

• Quality of reporting

• Clarity and quality of writing

1. •Impact of story
   

2. •
   

#6 BEST SPOT NEWS STORY

Story or stories written from a breaking news event published in one issue. Entry may be a single story or a main story with sidebars on a single event. No series.

Criteria:

• Quality of reporting on deadline

• Clarity of writing                   

• Timeliness, importance to readers

• Impact of story

#7 BEST FEATURE STORY

Entry may be a single story or a main story with sidebars published in one issue. No series. Entries should have a human-interest focus.  Stories about entertainment, lifestyle and health or general-interest feature stories are included in this category.

Criteria:

• Quality of writing

• Depth of reporting

• Local relevance/appeal

#8 BEST BUSINESS COVERAGE

For overall coverage of business with an emphasis on local stories written by staff.

DAILY PAPERS must submit four examples (complete pages and/or sections) of overall business coverage. One example must be from any issue published from April 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008; one from any issue published from July 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2008; one from any issue published from Oct. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008; and one from any issue published from Jan. 1, 2009, through March 31, 2009.

WEEKLY PAPERS must submit tearsheets showing four examples of business coverage. One example must be from any issue published from April 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008; one from any issue published from July 1, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2008; one from any issue published from Oct. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008; and one from any issue published from Jan. 1, 2009, through March 31, 2009.

Limit of one entry per newspaper.

Criteria:

• Local coverage

1. •Clarity of writing
   

2. •Impact of graphics
   

3. •Originality
   

#9 BEST BUSINESS NEWS STORY

Story or stories written from a breaking business news event. Entry may be a single story or a main story with sidebars on a single event published in one issue.

Criteria:

• Clarity of writing

• Timeliness, importance to readers

1. •Impact of story
   
   

#10 BEST BUSINESS FEATURE

Entry may be a single story or a main story with sidebars published in one issue. Entries should explore the people, issues and/or events behind business news. The story may be a profile.

Criteria:

• Quality of writing

• Depth of reporting

• Local relevance/appeal

#11 BEST EXPLANATORY JOURNALISM

Entry may be a single story, a main story with sidebars or a series. Entries must clearly explain an issue of importance to the community in a way that helps readers understand a significant subject.

Criteria:

• Quality of Writing

• Depth of reporting

• Local relevance/appeal

#12 BEST NEWS FEATURE STORY

Entry may be a single story or a main story with sidebars published on a single day. Entries should explore the people, issues and/or events behind the news. The story can be a profile.

Criteria:

• Quality of writing

• Depth of reporting

• Local relevance/appeal

#13 BEST INVESTIGATIVE OR IN-DEPTH STORY OR SERIES

May be a single story, a main story and sidebars or a series of stories. Each subject constitutes an entry. Entries should reflect an investigative enterprise. If the story leads to further developments or impacts, you may submit stories, even if published after the end of the contest year (March 31, 2009). A letter of clarification may be submitted.

Criteria:

• Importance to reader

• Quality of reporting, research

• Quality of writing

#14 BEST LOCAL COLUMN

Single entry consists of four columns written by the same columnist. One column must have been published during June 2008, another published during January 2009 and the remaining two columns published anytime during the contest year. The column must appear regularly in the newspaper and be written by a regular staff member.

Limit of one entry per columnist.

Criteria:

• Quality of writing

1. •Style, originality and impact
   
   

#15  BEST LOCAL

NON-STAFF COLUMN

Single entry consists of three representative columns from a columnist during the contest year. The columnist must reside in Nevada (or California for newspapers in that state). Column must appear at least monthly in an identified newspaper and be written by a paid, non-staff writer. Three columns constitute one entry.

Limit of one entry per columnist.

Criteria:

1. •Quality of writing
   

2. •Style, originality and impact
   
   

#16 BEST SPORTS STORY

Entry may be a single story or a main story with sidebars. No series. Entries should reflect timeliness in coverage and be written by a staff member.

Criteria:

• Quality of reporting

• Quality of writing

• Local appeal

#17 BEST SPORTS FEATURE

May be a series done by a regular staff member, a single story, or a main story with sidebars. Emphasis is on non-deadline writing and reporting.

Criteria:

• Quality of reporting

• Quality of writing

• Local appeal

#18 BEST SPORTS COLUMN

Must be a sports column that appears regularly within the sports pages and is written by a regular staff member. Submit tearsheets of three representative columns.  Three columns equals one entry.

Limit of one entry (three columns) per writer.

Criteria:

• Quality and clarity of writing

• Imagination, originality, impact 

   and news value

#19 BEST ENTERTAINMENT WRITING

Single entry consists of three samples by the same writer on entertainment subjects and/or events and may be reviews, advances, columns, news stories or features.

Limit of one entry per writer.

#20 CRITICAL WRITING

Single entry consists of three examples of criticism or review, not including editorials. Limit of one entry per writer. Criteria:

• Clarity of argument

• Quality of writing

1. •Impact of story
   
   

#21 FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

An award for upholding the principles of the First Amendment and protecting the public’s right to know.  Submit stories, editorials and/or columns, along with a description of actions taken and results accomplished. Award will be given to the newspaper, not an individual.

Two awards will be given: 

   ● One for daily newspapers

   ● One for weekly newspapers.

#22 EDITORIAL OF THE YEAR

The category awards a house editorial (not a personal column) expressing the newspaper’s opinion.  One editorial makes up one entry.  Please indicate on the entry form who wrote the editorial.

Criteria:

1. •Impact & importance to readers
   

2. •Clarity & strength of argument
   

• Reporting and writing

#23 BEST EDITORIAL WRITING

Single entry consists of three samples of editorial writing by the same writer. No personal columns, only editorials expressing the newspaper’s opinion. Please indicate on the entry form who wrote the editorials.

Limit of one entry per writer 

Criteria:

• Quality of writing, call to action

• Reporting/research

• Community impact/importance to reader                           

#24 BEST EDITORIAL PAGE

Submit complete editorial page or pages. Place a check by all items locally generated (including letters).

Submit four samples: from any issue published from April 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008;  from any issue published from July 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2008; from any issue published from Oct. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008; and from any issue published from Jan. 1, 2009, through March 31, 2009.

Limit of one entry per newspaper.

Criteria:

• Local issues, variety of content

• Layout, readability

• Letters to the editor

#25 BEST OVERALL DESIGN

Entries will be judged on design and makeup, use of graphics, typefaces, headlines, photo and color use, if applicable.

Submit four complete issues (minus advertising inserts): Any issue published the week of June 22, 2008; any issue from the week of Sept. 7, 2008; any issue from the week of Nov, 16, 2008; and any issue from Jan. 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009. 

Limit one entry per newspaper.

#26 BEST PAGE ONE DESIGN

For excellence in design, including use of photos, graphics, headlines and type faces with an emphasis on drawing the reader into the newspaper.

Each entry consists of five separate examples of the front page published at any time during the contest year.

Limit one entry per newspaper.

#27  BEST PAGE DESIGNER(S)

Each entry consists of five separate pages designed by an individual or team of two individuals during the contest  year.

Criteria:

• General design/layout

• Effective use of photos, graphics

#28 BEST SPECIAL SECTION (Editorial)

Special edition or section generated and distributed by the newspaper.  A special section does not include regular weekly publications such as TV books, real-estate sections, entertainment magazines, etc. Submit complete copy of section.

Limit of two entries per newspaper.

#29 BEST INFORMATION GRAPHIC

Includes charts, maps and other ways to deliver information graphically.  Submit complete tearsheets.

Limit of two entries per artist.

#30 BEST ILLUSTRATION

Can be drawn traditionally or computer-generated. No photos.  Submit complete tearsheets.

Limit of two entries per artist.

#31 BEST HEADLINE WRITING

Awards will be given in two classifications:

   ● One for daily newspapers

   ● One for weekly newspapers

Submit full tearsheets with headlines outlined.  Each entry consists of three separate headlines written by the same writer.

Limit of five entries per newspaper.

#32 PHOTO OF THE YEAR

Any photo that tells a compelling story and holds the reader’s interest.

One category for all newspapers.

Criteria:

• Technical quality

• Originality/imagination

• Impact or draw on the viewer

#33 BEST SPOT NEWS PHOTO COVERAGE

For photos of breaking or spot news events—not planned or posed photos. This may include more than one photo from the same event, which constitutes one entry, even if the photos were taken by different photographers.

No limit on entries.

Criteria:

• News value

• Technical quality

• Originality/creativity

#34 BEST GENERAL NEWS PHOTO

For photos of events for which advance planning was possible. Examples include courtroom events, government meetings, funerals, news conferences, mock exercises and political campaigns. Spot news that develops during the course of planned events should be entered in Spot News Photo Coverage.

#35 BEST FEATURE PHOTO

For photos that are not directly related to a specific breaking news event. Photos should have a story-telling quality or unusual elements. No portraits.

Criteria:

1. •Originality/creativity
   

2. •Human interest
   

3. •Technical quality
   
   
   

#36 BEST MULTIPLE PHOTO ESSAY

Single subject told through two or more photos, with or without accompanying text. Photos may appear in more than one edition, such as a series or project. Photos are not directly related to a breaking news event.

#37 BEST PORTRAIT

A portrait of a person or a small group of people.

Criteria:

• Quality of photos

• Photo editing

• Effectiveness of theme

#38 BEST ILLUSTRATED PHOTO

Artistic photos posed and designed to illustrate a specific article, feature or theme. No commercial photos.

Criteria:

1. •Achievement of purpose
   

2. •Originality/creativity
   

3. •Technical quality
   
   
   

#39 BEST SPORTS PHOTO

May be action or feature.

#40 BEST EDITORIAL CARTOON

Original opinion-oriented cartoon created for the newspaper by a staff member or freelancer.

Criteria:

1. •Originality
   

2. •Clarity of opinion
   

3. •Quality of artwork
   

One category for all newspapers.

it six entries per cartoonist.

 

#41 AD OF THE YEAR

Any type of ad is eligible.

One category for all newspapers.

#42 BEST LARGE-SPACE AD

The ad must be 1/4 page or larger and must be for a single business. The ad must be created and produced locally.

#43 BEST BLACK & WHITE AD

The ad may be of any size for any single advertiser. It may fit into any category: sale, promotional, institutional, etc.

#44 BEST SPOT-COLOR AD

The ad may be of any size for any single advertiser.  It may fit into any category: sale, promotional, institution, etc.

#45 BEST MULTI-COLOR AD

The ad may be of any size for any single advertiser. It may fit into any category: sale, promotional, institutional, etc.

#46 BEST SPECIAL SECTION (ADVERTISING)

Participated in by more than one advertiser and supported by local editorial material. Section may be on any topic: home improvement, vacation, progress, etc.

#47 BEST IN-HOUSE ADVERTISING PROMOTION FOR CIRCULATION, ADVERTISING OR EDITORIAL

May be a single ad, campaign, or include rack cards, radio, TV, flyers, etc. Include an explanation of promotion, purpose and results.

                                                    

#48 ADVERTISING GENERAL EXCELLENCE

Submit four complete issues: any issue published from April 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008; any issue from July 1, 2008, through Sept. 30, 2008; any issue from Oct. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008; and any issue published from Jan. 1, 2009, through March 31, 2009.