The Association for Business Communication invites undergraduate students to enter the 2012 Student Writing Contest by responding to this year’s case. A panel of academic readers will review all qualifying entries, and using the criteria below select up to ten contest finalists. Then, a panel of business professionals will read the finalists’ entries and select the winning responses. The 1st place winner will receive $300, the 2nd place winner will receive $200, and the 3rd place winner will receive $100. Entries must be received by Friday, April 20, 2012, to be considered, and the winners will be announced during summer 2012.
Information for Students
Case Response: Read the 2012 contest case and write an email response to Mr. Ward, the disgruntled customer in the case. The case and information needed to complete the response may be found at the following link: http://www.bizcominthenews.com/colonnade
Entry: If your instructor agrees, sign, scan, and email your entry form and case response to austintl@sfasu.edu by Friday, April 20, 2012.
For additional information, please contact:
Dr. Traci Austin, Chair
ABC Student Awards Committee
Stephen F. Austin State University
P. O. Box 13060 – SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
traciaustin00@gmail.com
Information for Instructors
The 2012 Student Writing Contest is open to undergraduate students enrolled in a business communication course during Summer 2011, Fall 2011, or Spring 2012. Instructors must be an active member of ABC and are welcome to enter two students in this annual contest, regardless of how many courses you teach. Students must work independently to prepare responses; team entries will not be considered. Please remember that the emailed response and entry form must be received by the ABC Student Awards Committee Chair by midnight, April 20, 2012 to be considered for the contest.
Criteria
The winning entry will:
- Exhibit a clear understanding of the audience, use an appropriate tone and style, establish the desired relationship, and motivate the desired outcome.
- Accomplish the purpose of the message by stating a clear position and supporting that position with logical points/sub-points, insightful reasoning and/or persuasive examples.
- Be well organized and easy to follow, include appropriate headings/bullets/lists, and use smooth transitions.
- Demonstrate superior mastery of vocabulary and superior facility with conventions of standard written English (grammar, usage, and mechanics) and use generally accepted U.S. business writing practices.
- Use an appropriate format and document design.
