Individual Contest

General Information

  • In order to enter into the individual contests, a student media outlet must be a member of KCM. New advisers receive membership in KCM for free during their first year.
  • Each PUBLICATION may enter 5 entries per individual contest.
  • Entries can be submitted to BetterBNC between, on or about, Jan. 27 and Feb. 17 of the contest year. (Log-in information will be emailed to advisers.)
  • Entries must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of the previous calendar year.
  • Schools need to submit entries online carefully. Names of students, schools and publications will appear on printed awards exactly as they are typed into BetterBNC.
  • Work should be submitted as a SINGLE file or link (PDF, jpeg, webpage, etc.). If you are sharing a link, it must be a direct link to the single entry/work to be judged so that judges can quickly and easily access your entry (no Google Drive or Dropbox folders with all entries from a school or student).

Fees

  • Each publication will pay a $15 contest fee (this covers the publication’s overall entries, too, and will be assessed per overall entry, not per outlet).
  • Individual categories are $5 per entry.

Divisions

  • 2-Year Newspaper
  • 4-Year Private Newspaper
  • 4-Year Public Newspaper
  • Magazine/Yearbook

Placings

Within each contest, judges will award First Place, Second Place and Third Place. These three placings are required from the judges for each contest. Up to two (2) Honorable Mentions per contest will be awarded at the discretion of the judges.

Contest Integrity

In the event of low submission numbers, contests may be combined across divisions in order to maintain the integrity of the contest. This will occur according to the following provisions:

  • 7 or more entries: maintain divisions
  • 6 or fewer entries: combine with a similar division
    • Newspapers go with newspapers first
    • Efforts will be made to keep separations between size of school
      • E.g., 4-year private newspapers would combine with 4-year public newspapers first
    • All divisions will be combined into one contest if necessary to reach the threshold of 7 entries
  • If after combining contest divisions the threshold of 7 entries cannot be achieved, the contest will be deemed invalid, entries with not be judged, and no winners will be named

Contest Categories & Descriptions

Individual Design/Visuals Categories

1. Newspaper Front Page

Front pages will be judged on their overall visual effectiveness. The front-page package can contain multiple stories, photos/ art; one in-depth piece; or a package of related stories, photos/art. Judges may also consider news value, timeliness, coverage, headlines and use of photos/art. A dominant focal point is evident on the front page, lending order to content, as well as a strong hierarchy for pages with multiple headlines/stories. 

2. Newspaper Inside Page/Spread

This page design category includes any newspaper pages other than the front page. Judges will consider the overall design of the page in creating an effective layout. The page should both grab attention and help the reader navigate the content. The design should have a strong focal point, solid structure, visual interest, and hierarchy, and make good use of any photos, art or infographics.

3. Magazine or Yearbook Cover

A cover should include pertinent information and grab attention with a striking design. Suggested cover information includes the name of the magazine or yearbook, the publication date (month or year), and the name of the college or university. The cover should employ effective design techniques and may include photography, artwork, graphics, typography and highlights of inside offerings. Both front and back covers will be considered in the design.  

4. Magazine or Yearbook Inside Page or Spread

All elements are well integrated into one overall display. Layout reflects imaginative and original planning. Variations on design are effectively employed, and it is apparent that any facing page layouts were designed as a double-page spread. Internal/external margins are consistent. White space may be used as a design element. Rules of design, while not squelching creativity or variation, should be considered. Photos, captions, headlines, artwork and copy are presented in a logical, well-planned manner. Graphics and typography are used effectively.

5. Headline Design

This category is for headlines that bring a strong visual presence to the design of a story, page or spread. Typefaces, size, placement, color and connection to subject matter will be judged. Make sure to submit the entire story package for judging.

6. Comics, Editorial Cartoons and Illustrations

Submit one comic (single panel or multiple panels) or one editorial cartoon (hand- or computer-drawn) or one illustration. If the cartoon, editorial or illustration is published in print, please submit the page that it appeared on. If online, submit a link.

7. Infographic

Infographics are a combination of words and graphics used to inform. They can use photos, freehand drawings or computer-generated art. Infographics include bar and pie charts, maps, diagrams and other such graphic elements used to add information. An infographic should be meaningful, accurate and understandable, adding to the page or story message. Infographics should have headings, source lines and credit lines. Entrants will list software used to create visual submissions.

Individual Writing Categories

8. Breaking/General News

This category is for most of the everyday news stories publications write — campus news, updates, issues, student government, student fees, new initiatives, administration, etc. Judges will look for strong leads, clear explanations, interesting details and, of course, excellent grammar, spelling, punctuation and use of AP Style.

9. Event Coverage

This category includes stories about collegiate events involving students. Event coverage might include a campus activity, a club activity off campus, a campus speaker, special events, national or community events involving students, or similar stories. A good event story is not a chronological run-down of the event. The lead should tone with an interesting detail from the event. Relevant sources and background material are included to give readers information essential to understanding the remainder of the story.  

10. Investigative/In-Depth News Writing

Investigative and in-depth stories are those that require more research and interviewing than the typical news story. Reporters might make use of databases, open records requests, past reporting or other research. These are well-developed stories with a minimum of three sources. The lead sets the tone and establishes the significance of the story. Relevant sources and background material are included to give readers information essential to understanding the story. Stories in this category should go above and beyond a typical news story. (NOTE: In this category, an individual can enter one story or a series of two or three stories as a single entry.) 

11. Feature Writing

This category includes stories of interest to students — often relating to topical issues or some interesting facet of the campus or student population. Features employ a lead that is colorful and interesting, and the writing style is lively and employs strong, colorful nouns and verbs. Features should use multiple sources and give background information when appropriate. The story concludes with a satisfactory ending, a memorable statement or quote, or a reference back to the lead. Direct quotes, indirect quotes and narration are effectively interplayed. Copy is free of editorializing. 

12. Headline Writing

Headlines serve two main purposes: letting readers know what the story is about and enticing readers into the story. Good headlines use strong verbs and enough information to convince people to read the story. Headlines written for online publications must consider search engine optimization and searchable terms.

13. Profile

Profiles are a specific type of feature story focused on one individual or group of individuals that must be relevant and of interest to the target audience. Leads should be creative and interesting. The story should reveal the subject’s personality through anecdotes and quotes. Style is lively and employs strong, colorful nouns and verbs.The story concludes with a satisfactory ending, a memorable statement or quote, or a reference back to the lead. The copy should be free of editorializing, and it should shine a light on the person or people that are the focus of the piece, which means there needs to be a clear focus combined with the necessary sources and compelling direct quotes.

14. Sports Game/News

This category includes stories about collegiate athletic events, specifically covering competitions or games. Such coverage might include game recaps or previews. A good event story is not a chronological run-down of the game and includes interviews with players and coaches. The lead should tone with an interesting detail from the event. All relevant sources and background material are included to give readers information essential to understanding the remainder of the story. 

15. Sports Feature

This category includes stories of interest to students — relating to athletic teams, players, coaches, or even facilities. Sports features employ a lead that is colorful and interesting, and the writing style is lively and employs strong, colorful nouns and verbs. With an emphasis on insights into a team’s season and a focus on an individual or individuals that provides background information such as statistics or achievements, sports features should use multiple sources and give background information when appropriate. The story concludes with a satisfactory ending, a memorable statement or quote, or a reference back to the lead. Direct quotes, indirect quotes and narration are effectively interplayed. Copy is free of editorializing. 

16. Editorial

An editorial should be based on sound research and reporting and organized around one major point with a clear introduction, discussion and conclusion. The editorial deals with issues rather than personalities, is soundly reasoned, and makes practical, realistic suggestions for action or thought. The editorial does not bring up problems without offering possible solutions or courses of action. It is related to school issues or issues outside the school that affect or interest students. It is written in third person and is free of wordiness, preaching rhetoric and clichés.

17. Column

Column writing is based on sound research, personal observation/experience (or a combination thereof) and incorporates solid writing and reporting techniques. It is organized around one major point, thought or issue and written conversationally in first person. The text is free of wordiness, preaching rhetoric, clichés and reflects logical argumentation. The key is to communicate clearly, openly and compassionately on the topic of choice. Subject matter, whether serious or humorous, should relate to issues affecting students. 

18. Review

Reviews offer knowledgeable commentary on a piece of work: music, movie, book, theater, art, etc. The subject should be relevant to student readership — campus and local preferred. The opinion is supported by examples and uses good taste, and the writer avoids being overly biased.

Individual Photography Categories

19. News Photography

A news photo focuses on an event or person related to a news story. The photo should have a strong subject/center of interest that is dominant and pulls the reader’s eye to a specific location of action in the photo, as well as make use of other photo composition techniques (thirds, symmetry, interesting angles, etc.). The photo captures how people are involved or affected at an event on campus or in the community and gives the viewer a better understanding of the story or event. The caption (cutline) must accompany each photo.

20. Feature Photography

The photo will be judged on composition, cropping and impact. A feature photo may capture a personality, place, or thing in a moment of life and helps visualize the story. Photos may show the center of peak action or quiet, mood-setting scenes. Photo gives viewers an understanding of the moment and may set the stage, lend insight, accent, mood or weight. The caption (cutline) must accompany the photo.

21. Sports Photography

Shows peak action or a telling reaction in a sporting event. Successful sports photos have a strong center of visual interest. Composition techniques such as thirds, symmetry, leading lines, interesting angles or implied movement, and effective cropping may be utilized to dramatize the subject in sports photos. The photo may capture a different view or perspective of the sport. The caption (cutline) must accompany each photo.

22. Portrait Photography

Portraits — both studio and environmental — should capture the subject’s personality. The photo will be judged on that, as well as on composition, cropping, impact, lighting and other technical qualities.

23. Photo Story (print)

A collection of photos that study, reflect, or analyze and are displayed in a well-designed page or spread. The photos work together to tell a complete story, with each photo showing a different element. Good photo essays should include a variety of basic photo shots (long shot, medium, and close-up) and a strong page design component. Note: Cutlines must accompany photos and will be judged as part of the story package.

24. Photo Story/Gallery (online)

A collection of at least 5 online photos (with or without audio) that are packaged together online to tell an engaging story or cover an event. Photos should include visual variety, making use of interesting angles, lighting and composition. May include video/graphic as one or more of the “photos” in the essay.

Individual Social Media Categories

25. Social Media Promotion/Marketing

Quality use of social media to promote a story/coverage or to market the student media outlet as an entity. [Note: submit up to three screenshots and URLs for judging.]

26. Social Media Reporting

The use of any social media platform to report a story. The entry may include a series of tweets, posts, stories or livestream. The entry must practice good journalism (tell a story, get the message out, etc.). The social media reporting is published to tell a story, not necessarily intended to drive traffic back to a publications’ website. [Note: To enter, a student can submit up to three links OR compile screenshots of the reporting into one PDF and upload that.]

Individual Multimedia Categories

27. Audio Story/Podcast

Submit an audio feature (streaming, terrestrial radio, podcast, etc.) about a newsworthy event, person or development. Individual entries must be limited to 10 minutes or less. If relevant, include the program’s intro and outro. Work must have been broadcast, streamed or posted as part of a student organizations’ news media presence. Entrants must submit the link to the audio feature.

28. Multimedia Story

Package should contain an integration of online reporting elements to best tell a story (news, features, sports, etc.). The multimedia entry will include the interplay of at least three of these elements: text, graphics, animation, video, audio, photos or any other visual tools to relay the information to the audience. Entries must follow good journalism practices and not include dramatizations.

29. Video

Submit a video story about a newsworthy event, person or development. Individual entries should be limited to five minutes or less. Work must have been broadcast, streamed or posted as part of a student organization’s news media presence. Entrants should submit a link to the video on the organization’s website or socials. Entries include, but are not limited to:

  • Video-Breaking news reporting (Produced on deadline about a single news event.)
  • Video-General News Reporting (About a news event or issue not produced on deadline.)
  • Video-Feature
  • Video-Sports reporting
  • Video-In-depth reporting

Individual Advertising Categories

30. Advertisement Design

The ad is designed using a concept, with an effective headline and typography, product identification and attention-getting appeal. It has an active sales message, promotes a school or community event, sells products/services, or promotes a business image. The ad displays evidence of skill, creativity and originality in copywriting and design.

31. Advertising Campaign

This entry should be a series of ads developed by your team for a single client. The Campaign will be judged on concept, copy, design and overall effect. Please enter three to five pieces from the campaign, either as individual files or put together into one PDF.

NOTE: Please see also, under Social Media Categories, contest #25 Social Media Promotion/Marketing.