UK Technical Communication Awards

Do you have work worthy of recognition?

It’s time to start choosing which of your finest works could be contenders for this year’s UK Technical Communication Awards (formerly the ISTC Documentation Awards). The deadline for entries is 30th June and the Awards will be presented at the Conference in September. The Awards were redesigned last year and recognise clear, concise and effective information products. The more inclusive name was chosen because the scheme:

• Is open to all - the awards are not restricted to ISTC members and should interest everyone who commissions or creates technical information.
• Includes all technical communication - classes are open to websites, podcasts and user assistance of all kinds, not just 'documentation' in a narrow sense.

The previous structure of printed and online classes dates back to when electronic media first entered common use. Now that we have such a choice of media, and systems that enable us to output the same content to various media, these distinctions seem less appropriate. Nonetheless, we have to balance attracting enough entries to enable classes to run against giving judges comparable entries to judge. We have chosen entirely new classes, which we will monitor for effectiveness in coming years.

1. Descriptive - Entries must tell someone about something. Examples include datasheets, overviews, specifications, catalogues, syllabi and informative websites.

2. Instructional - Entries must tell someone how to do something. Examples include user guides, online Help, assembly leaflets, business procedures and training materials.

3. Promotional - Entries must persuade someone to do something. Examples include brochures, presentations, marketing literature, exhibition displays and promotional websites.

4. Graphic - Entries must use pictures more than words to convey their information. Examples include word-free assembly instructions, illustrated wallcharts and presentations.

5. Tabular - Entries must use tables more than words to convey, or solicit, their information. Examples include forms, spreadsheets, catalogues and data-heavy reports.

Most pieces of technical communication involve a range of techniques. When determining the class in which to enter, consider which techniques you have used most and best - your entry will be compared with others that have similar strengths. Classes are open to entries delivered through any medium. Although the awards are oriented towards deliverables, mechanisms like templates may be eligible if they contain sufficient guidance to merit entry in the descriptive or instructional classes.

Just imagine adding your win to your CV or website!

The winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony at the ISTC Annual Conference.

We particularly appeal to managers of publication units to urge your personnel to submit entries to the documentation awards (see rules and further information). Remember it is not only the individual who gets the accolade of winning an award, the company benefits from the acknowledgement as well.

Potential sponsors should contact the Conference Organiser.

Complete and submit your Entry Form now. You also need to complete and submit the Entry Details form which can be downloaded here.

A full description of the award rules can be downloaded here.

Past winners of the ISTC Documentation Awards

2007

2006

Further details are in Communicator, Winter 2006 edition (accessible to ISTC members only).

2005

Further details are in Communicator, Winter 2005 edition (accessible to ISTC members only).

2004

For further details see Communicator, Winter 2004 edition (accessible to ISTC members only).

© Copyright of material on this website remains with the authors and enquiries about reproduction or reuse should be directed to the ISTC Office.
Comments on this site should be sent to the Webmaster.