2008 South Dakota AP
News and Photo Contest Rules

Contest Period
The contest period is from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007.

Eligibility
Any news story or photograph written or taken by a regular employee of a North Dakota or South Dakota AP member newspaper and published during the contest period shall be eligible for the contest.

Prizes
First-place winners in each photo and writing category shall receive a $50 cash award. In addition, winners of first, second, third and honorable mention will receive certificates.

Sweepstakes Winners
Judges will select the best story and best photo in the contest for the Sweepstakes Awards. Sweepstakes winners will NOT win first-place awards, and they will not be announced in advance.

Entry Deadlines
Entries must be in the Sioux Falls AP bureau no later than February 15, 2008, to allow time for judging in another state.

Entries should be sent to:

The Associated Press

330 North Main Avenue, Suite 301

Sioux Falls, SD 57104
 

Contest Days
For the Page One category, contest days shall be April 13, 2007 and  September 20, 2007.

Entry Fee
Each newspaper will pay a flat fee of $155 regardless of the number of entries.

Questions
Call Arlene Murphy at 800-952-9911

Entries shall be tear sheets, PDF’s or clippings of the photos as published,  each entry in a separate folder or large envelope with the contest entry label attached to the outside of the folder or envelope. Each entry should be clearly labeled with the name of the photographer, the name of the newspaper, the size division, the title,  and the category. Labels are provided in this packet for your convenience.

*Note: Originals are NOT required for judging. Judging will be done from the tear sheet. Entries shall be judged as much as possible on the photo itself and not on the quality of newspaper reproduction.

Each entry shall include only one photo. A sequence of photos may not be entered as a single entry. Each newspaper may enter a TOTAL OF 20 photos, spread among the three categories as desired.

Judging Criteria:

• Difficulties encountered and the conditions under which the photographer worked.

• Dramatic quality achieved covering a story where unrehearsed action is obvious.

• Importance or interest of the story that the picture illustrates.

• Technical quality inherent to the photo. Quality of newspaper reproduction shall not be considered.

Categories

Large (16,001 circulation and greater)

News
Sports
Feature

Medium (6,001-16,000 circulation)

News

Sports

Feature

Small (Up to 6,000 circulation)

News

Sports

Feature

Remember, each newspaper may enter a total of 20 photos divided among the three subject categories as the newspaper sees fit.

Each entry shall be submitted in the form of a tear sheet, clipping, PDF, or photocopy inside a letter-sized manila folder or large envelope. Each entry should be clearly labeled with the name of the writer, the name of the newspaper, the size division, the title, and the category. Labels are provided in this packet for your convenience.  Total entries from each newspaper may not exceed 30 items. 

Size Divisions

Large (16,001 circulation and greater)
Medium ( 6,001-16,000 circulation)
Small (Up to 6,000 circulation)

Categories

Spot News
"Spot news" refers to coverage of a spontaneous event. Entries will be judged on writing excellence and the story's thoroughness and effectiveness.

General News
"General news" means planned coverage of a known event or issue. Entries will be judged on writing excellence and the story's thoroughness and effectiveness.

Sports
Coverage of sporting contests, issues or individuals. Entries will be judged on writing excellence, organization, and impact.

Editorials
Entries should be limited to state and local issues. Supportive material to illustrate the effectiveness of the editorial or background matter relating to the topic may be submitted with the entry. Entries will be judged on quality of writing, regard for reader concerns, editorial initiative and courage.

Page One Makeup
Each newspaper may enter up to three front pages -- two from the dates specified in the contest (April 13, 2007 and September 20, 2007) and one other front page from any day of the contest year. Entries will be judged on eye appeal, use of typography, use of pictures and stories, readability and presentation of news.

Feature
Entries will be judged on subject, originality, quality of writing and impact. The entry package may include photos.

Questions
Call Arlene Murphy at 800-952-9911