Some top trophy tips from our judges
Entries are still open! | Image by Hellie Hadfield
It’s down to the wire for entries, with the submission deadline tomorrow at midnight. If you’re still working away on your entry, here are seven top trophy tips to get a great result.
Here’s what the judges said!
- Make sure your submission stands out by using plain language and including visuals as well as words. Don’t just dump a lot of examples on the judges and assume we’ll get it. Rather carefully pick and choose examples and deliberately walk us through them — make the connections for us.
- Write for time-poor scanners who aren’t lawyers (this goes for all documents, but especially the technical ones!).
- Imagine you are in a room while the judges are reading out your entry and your comments, and everyone is looking at you.
- Even if you’re racing to meet the Awards deadline, make sure your entry and your comments are a joy to read. This is the ultimate evidence that you truly write for your reader.
- Push the envelope. Break down people’s assumptions of how your type of document or website ‘should’ look.
- (In the legal category), avoid legal jargon. If there’s a plain English equivalent that won’t jeopardize your legal rigour, use it!
- Really take your time to comment on your entry. If you explain what you’ve done and why you’ve done it, it helps me as a judge to get the bigger picture.
For more top trophy tips, check out our website, or watch our Q&A with Head Judge Simon Hertnon.
Entries close tomorrow night, so be quick and enter before they close!
All the best with your entry!
Posted In: Communications
