TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Re: What did you learn when you competed in the STC competition?
Subject:Re: What did you learn when you competed in the STC competition? From:Beth Agnew <beth -dot- agnew -at- senecac -dot- on -dot- ca> Date:Thu, 22 Feb 2007 13:29:01 -0500
I have competed, and judged.
When I competed quite a few years ago, I submitted a multimedia project.
I later heard one of the judges say "I had never seen any multimedia
until I judged this competition. I learned a lot!"
When I judged, I was required to evaluate submissions based on a list of
specific criteria. Each submission either met the criteria, or it
didn't. There was no room for subjective evaluation on the part of the
judge. The total score determined whether the submissions received an
award of excellence, and award of merit, or whatever.
I think the competition awards submissions that are fomulaic rather than
innovative. If a submission departed from the stated judging criteria,
it got zero for that category -- even if it might have been better than
what was expected.
If you want to win an award in the competition, get a judge's form from
the previous year and make sure your project meets all of those points
in the way they are stated.
Good luck!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring,
Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com