Eligibility

The 2004 Texas Better Newspaper Contest is open all Texas Press Association members newspapers published in Texas during the calendar year 2003.

· Large dailies (circulation 100,000 or more) may submit an entry in the general excellence category only. At least three newspapers must enter before the division will be judged. The award will go to the best entry.

· Semiweeklies (newspapers carrying only one name, but published more than once a week yet less than five days a week) must enter the appropriate semiweekly circulation division.

· Twin weeklies (newspapers bearing different names but published in the same plant and distributed in the same community during different days of the week) will be treated as semiweeklies and entered in the largest circulation division applicable.

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Preparation of Entries

· Only one set of entries may be submitted in each category, except Column Writing, in which two columnists may submit separate sets of entries. Columnists must be regular employees of your newspaper.

· Each entry must be identified with dry gum labels provided by Texas Press Association. Dampen and securely affix labels to upper right-hand corner of each entry, above folio line. Do not use staples or tape. Use Arabic numerals to indicate division (weeklies must not write a division number). Do not use Roman numerals.

· Entries must be submitted flat and folded either in half or quarter-page size. Do not roll entries. Note: Community Service entries should be securely bound in a binder, report folder or scrapbook.

· Letters of explanation may accompany only Editorial and Community Service entries.

· TPA will mail postcards confirming receipt of entries to entrants.

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Division Requirements

A newspaper must compete in its circulation division based on the October 2003 U.S. Postal Service statement of total paid circulation (PS Form 3526, line 15C). Note: An entry published in more than one newspaper must be entered in the largest division category.

Rule Clarifications and Fees

For rule clarifications, call Pauline Word, publications manager, or Lolly Denk, mail services specialist, at 1-800-749-4793 or e-mail Pauline Word or Lolly Denk. Failure to follow rules may result in disqualification. There are no fees for entering the contest.

Judging and Judges

New Mexico Press Association will assemble a team of newspaper professionals to serve as contest judges. Judges will award first, second, third and fourth place in each category. In the event that a category does not draw at least four entries the judge has the discretion to award only a first place. No ties will be allowed. Judges' decisions are final.

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Disposition of Entries

Entries become the property of Texas Press Association. Winning entries and all community service entries may be claimed after the closing of the winning newspaper display at summer convention. Winners are requested to leave their entries in the display area for at least 30 minutes. Non-placing entries will be discarded by the judges. Judging forms will be mailed to all contestants after the convention.

Categories

General Excellence

Submit one complete issue published in calendar year 2003 during the months of January or August and one issue from any 2003 month of your choice. Wire copy and non-staff produced copy will not be considered. Judging will be based on news coverage, quality of writing, composition/display, headlines, use of photos and art work, front page and specialty pages, such as editorial page, family life, social page, sports page. (Large dailies, circulation 100,000 or more, compete only in this category.) Judges will consider both issues as one entry.

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Advertising

Submit full-page tearsheets of your top three advertisements (composed entirely by your staff) from any issues published in 2003. You are required to submit three advertisements and bracket each ad in heavy red marker. Judging will be based on selling power of copy, originality/creativity, layout/design, use of photos, graphics and typography. Judges will consider all three ads as one entry.

Column Writing

Submit full-page tearsheets of staff-written columns originally written and published in calendar year 2003, one from the months of January or August and one column from any 2003 issue of your choice. (Two columnists may submit separate entries.) Each set of columns will be judged as one entry. They may be written by your staff on any subject in any style. Columns must be bracketed in heavy red marker. Make sure to include jumps. Judging will be based on lead, subject matter and quality and style of writing.

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Editorials

Submit full-page tearsheets of staff-written editorials originally written and published in calendar year 2003, one from the months of January or August and one from any 2003 month of your choice. Editorials must be bracketed in heavy red marker. Judging will be based on quality and lead, style of writing, subject matter and local significance. Judges will consider both editorials as one entry.

Feature Story

Submit full-page tearsheets of staff-written features originally written and published in calendar year 2003, one from the months of January or August and one from any 2003 month of your choice. Feature stories must be bracketed in heavy red marker. Judging will be based on content/subject matter, quality, style and lead, and presentation, including layout, design, heads, typography, photos and use of color. Judges will consider both feature stories as one entry.

Headline Writing

Submit full-page tearsheets of your three best headlines from any issues published in calendar year 2003. The headlines must have been written by a regular staff member for a locally produced staff story. Headline entries can come from any section of a regular edition and each must be bracketed in heavy red marker. Judging will be based on accuracy, cleverness, creativity, impact and originality. Judges will consider all three headlines as one entry.

Page Design

Submit one tearsheet of each of the following: one front page, one editorial, one sports and one family/lifestyle page from any editions published during one month of the newspaper's choice in 2003. All pages must have been published in the same month. Judging will be based on readability, innovation, color, graphics, design features, typography, photos and other artwork. Judges will consider all four pages as one entry.

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News Writing

Submit full-page tearsheets of two complete staff-written news stories published in calendar year 2003. Bracket the stories in heavy red marker. Judging will be based on quality of writing, lead, news value and enterprise. Judges will consider both news stories as one entry.

Sports Coverage

Submit full-page tearsheets of sports pages originally published in calendar year 2003 from one issue published during the months of January or August and one issue from any 2003 month of your choice. Use heavy red marker to cross out any sports writing or photos not produced by your staff. Judging will be based on quality of writing, range of coverage, photos, layout/design and suitability of headlines. Judges will consider both issues as one entry.

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Feature Photo

Submit full-page tearsheets of two feature photographs originally photographed and published in calendar year 2003, one from the months of January or August and one from any 2003 month of your choice. Submit only photos taken by members of your regular staff. Use heavy red marker to bracket photos and cutlines. Judging will be based on reader interest, composition, quality of cutline, enterprise and innovation, and reproduction. Judges will consider both photos as one entry.

News Photo

Submit full-page tearsheets of two news photographs originally photographed and published in calendar year 2003, one from the months of January or August and one from any 2003 month of your choice. Submit only photos taken by members of your regular staff. Use heavy red marker to bracket photos and cutlines. Judging will be based on timeliness, composition, quality of cutline, enterprise and innovation, and reproduction. Judges will consider both photos as one entry.

Sports Photo

Submit full-page tearsheets of two sports photos originally photographed and published in calendar year 2003, one from the months of January or August and one from any 2003 month of your choice. Submit only photos taken by members of your regular staff. Use heavy red marker to bracket photos and cutlines. Judging will be based on action, composition, quality of cutline, enterprise and innovation, and reproduction. Judges will consider both photos as one entry.

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Community Service

Daily Division
Semiweekly Division
Weekly Division

Submit in a scrapbook all evidence (i.e. news, photos, editorials, letters, programs) of your newspaper's support of one community project conducted during calendar year 2003. Material should be securely bound in a binder, folder or scrapbook. Entries must have been published during calendar year 2003. Attach a letter describing the background and results of the project.

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Sweepstakes 

The Texas Better Newspaper Contest includes one Sweepstakes award for each of the circulation divisions, except Division 1.

Awards are earned by point accumulation in contest categories (not including Community Service).

Points shall be computed on the following scale:

· 1st Place: 100 points (plaque)
· 2nd Place: 75 points (certificate)
· 3rd Place: 50 points (certificate)
· 4th Place: 25 points (certificate)

In case of a tie, the newspaper with the most points in the General Excellence category will be declared the winner.

If neither newspaper has won a General Excellence award, the newspaper with the most first place awards overall will be declared the winner.

If the score remains tied, the newspaper with the most second place awards will be declared the winner.

If the score remains tied, the newspaper with the most third place awards will be declared the winner.

If the score remains tied, the newspaper with the most fourth place awards will be declared the winner.

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Circulation Divisions

Daily Divisions

Division 1
Dailies 100,000 or more (compete in General Excellence only)

Division 2
Dailies 7,000 to 99,999

Division 3
Dailies less than 7,000

Semiweekly Divisions

Division 4
Semiweeklies 4,001 or more

Division 5
Semiweeklies 4,000 or less

Weekly Divisions

Divisions 6-10
Weeklies will be divided equally into five divisions based on the total number of entries rather than fixed circulation breaks (i.e. 25 newspapers in Division 6; 25 newspapers in Division 7, etc.)

If the total number of weekly newspapers that enter is not equally divisible by five, the remainders will be added into the higher circulation divisions.

Weekly entrants MUST NOT write a division number on the contest gum label! The TPA staff will assign the appropriate division number.

Community Service
Daily Division
Semiweekly Division
Weekly Division

Deadline
Postmark entries no later than THURSDAY, APRIL 1 and mail or ship to:
Lolly Denk
Texas Press Association
718 W. Fifth St., Ste. 100
Austin, TX 78701-2799

Entrants are urged not to crowd the official deadline.

Contest period
Calendar year 2003. All entries must have been originally published during calendar year 2003, and specifically from January or August, where indicated.

Awards
Awards will be announced June 19 during the Texas Press Association 125th Summer Convention, June 17-19 at the Omni Hotel Downtown, Austin.

First-place winners will come forward to receive plaques. Certificates will be distributed to second-, third- and fourth-place winners after the awards ceremony.

Copies of the Winners' Circle will be available at the conclusion of the awards breakfast. Winning entries will be displayed at the close of the convention. Winners are requested to leave their entries in the display area for at least 30 minutes.

Questions?
Contact 1-800-749-4793. Pauline Word, paulineword@texaspress.com or Lolly Denk, lollydenk@texaspress.com

Contest Committee

Chairman Richard Stone The Cameron Herald

Brenda Adams,
Sweetwater Reporter

Christopher Amos,
Aledo, The Community News

Joe Baker,
Karnes City, The Countywide

Bob Buckel,
Azle News

Russell Burnett,
Angleton Times

Cathy Collier,
Fredericksburg Standard/Radio Post

Terry Collier,
Fredericksburg Standard/Radio Post

Sue Brown Elizondo,
Pleasanton Express

Chad Engbrock,
Wylie News

Robin Gooch,
DeSoto Today

Brandi Chionsini Guy,
Granite Publications

Murray Judson,
Port Aransas South Jetty

T.A. Lane,
Hemphill, Sabine Co. Reporter

Gina McClure,
Wimberley View

Keith Magee,
Bastrop Advertiser

Jamie Mobley,
Seguin Gazette-Enterprise

Jeff Newman,
White Oak Independent

Winnie Newman,
White Oak Independent

Gary Parsons,
Marble Falls Highlander

Amy Riley,
Jacksboro Gazette-News

Russel Skiles,
Lamesa Press Reporter

Cyndy Slovak-Barton,
Buda / Kyle, The Free Press

Cathy Smith,
Burleson Star

Natalie Spencer,
Lytle, Medina Valley Times

Jay White,
Munday Courier

Judging
New Mexico Press Association