CSPA Gold Circle Awards Categories

Gold Circle Awards are offered to recognize superior work by student journalists usually as individuals but sometimes as an entire staff working with either print or online media. The awards recognize individual achievement by students from any CSPA member in four major categories: News; Magazine; Digital Media; and Yearbook. The following information details the number of categories and how to enter. To enter, publications must be a CSPA member.

How to submit entries:
• Include the COMPLETE page that your entry was printed as a PDF.
• If your entry is a two-page spread, please put your pages together as one page, it will give the judges the same reading experience as your audience.
• If you are submitting multiple pages for one category please make one PDF.

How to NAME entries:
On your PDF the name needs to include: Division (HS or COL)–Category Number–HeadlineOrTitleOfEntry

Newspapers or Newsmagazine Verbal Categories

N01. News writing
Submit a PDF of an article that presents new information or a new angle on information about past events. The story should have ample background information and context with a crisp lead and a well-written nut graph.

N02. In-depth news/feature story
Submit a PDF of a detailed story with extensive research and several attributed sources designed to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

N03. Editorial writing
Submit a PDF of an editorial written as a statement of opinion by the staff, not a personal op-ed column. Editorials should be neither bylined nor initialed (enter those as opinion columns in categories #N04-N08).

N04. Personal opinion: On-campus issues
Submit a PDF of either a regularly appearing column or a one-time opinion piece that expresses a viewpoint regarding any issue or incident that affects your campus community. Judged on quality of writing and amount of research and insight provided.

N05. Personal opinion: Off-campus issues
Submit a PDF of either a regularly appearing column or a one-time opinion piece that expresses a viewpoint regarding any issue or trend that goes beyond your campus community. Judged on quality of writing and amount of research and insight provided.

N06. General or humor commentary
Submit a PDF of either a regularly appearing personal opinion column or a humorous column. All columns entered should be bylined by a single writer. Judged on quality of writing and the amount of research and insight provided. (Staff editorials should be entered in the editorial writing category #N3.)

N07. Sports commentary
Submit a PDF of personal opinion sports writing modeled after regular columnists for daily professional media. Judged on quality of writing and amount of research and insight provided. (Sports features should be entered in category #N10.)

N08. First-person experience
Submit a PDF of either a regularly appearing column or a one-time opinion piece that describes a personal experience that shaped the viewpoint of the writer. Judged on quality of writing and insight provided. (Not for first person reporting of a news or sports event. Submit such stories in category #N1, #N2 or #N9.)

N09. Sports news (includes season summaries and game stories)
Submit a PDF of an article that emphasizes timely action such as season summaries and game stories.

N10. Sports features (includes profiles or season previews)
Submit a PDF of an article that uses lively details to clarify sports issues, to provide entertainment and insight about sports, or to profile the personality of sports figures, coaches or team members. Also includes season previews.

N11. News feature
Submit a PDF of an article that provides information supplementing a news story, usually by adding the human element behind a news event or by giving background through interpretation or explanation.

N12. Personality profile
Submit a PDF of a feature story about an individual’s life, interests, or accomplishments.

N13. General feature
Submit a PDF of an article that entertains through material that is interesting but not necessarily news oriented. Emphasis should be on rich detail and liberal use of quotes.

N14. Cultural feature
Submit a PDF of an opinion piece that reviews entertainment, food, travel, lifestyle, or fashion.

N15. Entertainment reviews
Submit a PDF of an opinion piece that reviews movies, music, plays, concerts, books, exhibits, performances, or other technical gadgets available to the public or to the student community.

N16. Headline writing
Submit a PDF of four headlines with the full story as one entry. Remember to submit the entire page the headline and story was published.

N17. Caption writing
Submit a PDF of page(s) with four captions with the photo as one entry. Remember to submit the entire page the photo and caption was published. More than one photo/caption may be on one page, indicate the titles of the photos on the entry form.

N18. Briefs writing
Submit a PDF of the complete pages from one issue that has at least three briefs. Maximum length of each story should be no longer than 200 words. Submit the entire page that the briefs are published.

N19. Sidebar writing
Sidebar is a supplemental story that further explains additional angles to the main story and furnishes new information. Submit a PDF of the page of the sidebar ALONG WITH THE MAIN ARTICLE to show the relationship to the main story.

N20. Alternative Story Form
Submit a PDF the full page published that contains info presented in a non-narrative format such as timelines, a list, story broken into segments, Q&A, use of info graphics or factoids. Submit the entire page where the story was published.

Newspapers or Newsmagazine Visual Categories

How to NAME entries:
On your PDF the name needs to include: Division (HS or COL)–Category Number–HeadlineOrTitleOfEntry

For stories and layouts, list the category number (ex. Y09 or DM39 or M21) then use the headline as the title. For individual pieces (poems/art/photos) again list the category number then use the title of that piece. If it is untitled, use "Untitled" as the title.

N21. Art/illustration: Hand-drawn
Submit a PDF of the page where an original hand drawn only illustration accompanies a news, sports or feature story (include the article as well). Judging is based on originality, ability to capture the content, tone or flavor of a story and artistic values. The illustration may have been created on a tablet (such as a Wacom with pen) has NO ENHANCEMENT with any software such as Photoshop. No photos, photo illustrations or information graphics should be entered in this category. Use categories N26 through N34 for those.

N22. Computer generated art/illustration
Submit a PDF of the page where an original illustration created with computer software or hand-drawn enhanced images that accompanies a news, sports or feature story (include the article as well). Judging is based on originality, ability to capture the content, tone or flavor of a story and artistic values. No photos, photo illustrations or information graphics should be entered in this category. Use categories N26 through N34 for those.

N23. Art/illustration: Portfolio of work
Submit a PDF of three to six pieces of art/illustration by one artist (don’t forget to submit the entire page where the art is published). Judging is based on originality, ability to capture the content, tone or flavor of a story and artistic values. Send as one PDF. No photos, photo illustrations or information graphics should be entered in this category. Use categories N26 through N34 for those.

N24. Cartoons
Submit a PDF of the page where a cartoon and caption to be judged on originality, appropriateness to subject matter, style and clarity. Cartoons may be editorial, sports or comic in style.

N25. Cartoon Portfolio of work
Submit a PDF of three to six pieces by one artist, (don’t forget to submit the entire page where the art is published). Send as one PDF.

N26. Photo story
Submit a PDF of the full page, including the headlines, copy, photos and captions. The entry will be judged on the quality of photography, copy and layout. All photos used must further the story for the reader. A scrapbook approach of photos used to record who was present will be ineligible.

N27. Single spot news photograph
Submit a PDF of the page where a single spot news photograph is published. Judged on impact, news value, technique, subject matter, on-the-spot timing, audience impact, and sharp print quality. No posed shots or portraits. Photo must have a caption.

N28. Single feature photograph
Submit a PDF of the page where a single feature photograph is published. Judged on technique, impact, human interest with emphasis on people in their environment, good cropping, sharp print quality and its ability to convey a story. Include caption with photo. Photographs that have been altered by means of computer software should be entered in the photo illustration categories #N31 or #32.

N29. Single sports photograph
Submit a PDF of the page where a single sports photograph is published. Judging is based on technique, sharp print quality, and the degree to which it captures the action and emotion of the sporting event. Include caption with photo.

N30. Photo illustration
Submit a PDF of the page where a single photo illustration is published. Judging is based on technique, ease of viewing the image and creativity. If more than one person, clearly identify on the form the photographer and illustrator. Include caption with photo illustration.

N31. Photography Portfolio of work
Submit a PDF of three to six pieces by one photographer (don’t forget to submit the entire page where the art is published). Photo illustrations may be included. Send as one PDF.

N32. Photo Illustration: Portfolio of work
Submit a PDF of three to six pieces by same creator(s) (don’t forget to submit the entire page where the art is published). Send as one PDF.

N33. Informational graphics
Submit a PDF of the page with informational graphic that is charted information, lists, timelines, pull out quote boxes of information, graphs, diagrams, maps or factoid of information using illustration or photography.

N34. Newsmagazine Cover
Submit a PDF of a cover of an issue that may include multi-teasers or possibly on story feature. Not for literary/art covers, for those see M#15.

N35. Page One Design
Submit a PDF of the complete front page of one issue.

N36. News Page Design
Submit a PDF of one complete news page. No front pages may be entered in this category. Pages included in this category should include inside pages with or without advertising.

N37. Editorial Page Design
Submit a PDF of one complete editorial page that includes a masthead.

N38. Op-Ed or News Analysis Page Design
Submit a PDF of one page that includes an op-ed or news analysis. These pages should not include a masthead but be stand-alone op-ed pages.

N39. Feature Page Design
Submit a PDF of one complete feature page.

N40. Sports Page Design
Submit a PDF of one complete sports page.

N41. Cultural Feature
Submit a PDF of one complete page that features reviews on entertainment, food, travel, lifestyle, or fashion.

N42. Alternative Story Presentation
Submit a PDF of one page or spread with a segmented story that uses alternative story forms such as timelines, charts, Q&A’s, maps factoids and graphic devices.

N43. Design Portfolio of work
Submit a PDF of three to six pages by one page designer. Pages can include Page One, News, Op-Ed/New Analysis, Feature or Sports. Send as one PDF.

N44. Photo layout: Full page
Submit a PDF of one full page. It can be a single page or spread. Must include captions, as they will be considered part of the judging.

N45. Photo layout: Portfolio of work
Submit a PDF of three to six pages by one page designer. Entries may include photos and or photo illustrations. Send as one PDF.

N46. Single Subject News or Feature Package, Single Page Design
Submit a PDF of a single page of one or more stories on a single topic. Stories should analyze or interpret an issue through headlines, copy, photos and captions. The emphasis is on the scope, content, and quality of the reporting and editing. Results of opinion surveys may be included as one of the stories. Photos, information graphics and other art will be considered in judging the overall presentation, but spreads without them will also be considered without prejudice.

N47. Single Subject News or Feature Package, Double-truck (two-facing pages)
Submit a PDF of either a double-truck (two facing pages designed as a visual unit) of one or more stories on a single topic. Stories should analyze or interpret an issue through headlines, copy, photos and captions. Send as one PDF.

Magazine Verbal Categories

Includes general interest, literary, literary-art, feature and other specialized magazines.

How to submit entries:
• Include the COMPLETE page that your entry was printed as a PDF.
• If your entry is a two-page spread, please put your pages together as one page. It will give the judges the same reading experience as your audience.
• If you are submitting multiple pages please make one PDF.

How to NAME entries:
The name of the PDF must include: Division(HS or COL)–Category Number–HeadlineOrTitleOfEntry

M01. Open (free) form poetry
Submit a PDF of the page where one free-form poem is published.

M02. Closed (traditional) form poetry
Submit a PDF of the page where one traditional poem is published.

M03. Experimental Fiction
Submit a PDF of the page where one piece of experimental fiction is published.

M04. Traditional Fiction
Submit a PDF of the page where one piece of traditional fiction is published.

M05. Essays:
Submit a PDF of the page where one critical or personal essay is published.

M06. Humor:
Submit a PDF of the page where one written piece that addresses a topical subject in a humorous or satirical manner is published.

M07. Non-fiction article
Submit a PDF of the page where one non-fiction article story on any issue or person relevant to the local or campus community is published.

M08. Non-fiction interview
Submit a PDF of the page where one feature story on any issue or person relevant to the local or campus community is published.

M09. Non-fiction column
Submit a PDF of the page where one piece from a regular column on any issue relevant to the local or campus community is published.

M10. Alternative Story Form
Submit a PDF of the full page published that contains info presented in a non-narrative format such as timelines, a list, story broken into segments, Q&A, use of info graphics or factoids.

Magazine Visual Categories

Includes general interest, literary, literary-art, folk and other specialized magazines.

How to submit entries:
• Include the COMPLETE page that your entry was printed as a PDF.
• If your entry is spread, please put your pages together as one page, it will give the judges the same reading experience as your audience.
• If you are submitting multiple pages please make one PDF.

How to NAME entries:
The name of the PDF must include: Division(HS or COL)–Category Number–HeadlineOrTitleOfEntry

For stories and layouts, list the category number (ex. Y9 or DM39 or M21) then use the headline as the title. For individual pieces (poems/art/photos) again list the category number then use the title of that piece. If it is untitled, use "Untitled" as the title.

M11. Cover design for Literary or Literary/Art Magazine
Submit a PDF of the cover of one issue that is published.

M12. Cover design for General or Feature Magazine
Submit a PDF of the cover of one issue that is published.

M13. Table of contents page
Submit a PDF of the pages of the table of contents page(s).

M14. Use of typography on one page or spread
Submit a PDF of one page or spread that feature typography lettering, calligraphy or creative use of letterforms.

M15. Use of a designed or art headline
Submit a PDF of the full page or spread to show the use of the headline designed.

M16. Single illustration: hand-drawn
Submit a PDF of the page where a single illustration is published. Content will be judged on originality, appropriateness to subject matter, style and clarity.

M17. Single illustration: computer generated
Submit a PDF of a complete page that contains an illustration that was computer generated.

M18. Portfolio Illustration
Submit a PDF of three to six different pages that contain an illustration by the same artist. There may be more than one photo on one page. Send as one PDF.

M19. Photography—Single Artistic photograph
Submit entire page or spread with the photograph to be judged indicated. The photography should be non-news, and artistic in subject matter.

M20. Photography—Single News feature photograph
Submit a PDF of a complete page that contains a single photograph. Judged on technique, impact, human interest with emphasis on people in their environment, good cropping, sharp print quality and its ability to convey a story. Include caption with photo. Photographs that have been altered by means of computer software should be entered in the photo illustration categories #M26.

M21. Photography: Portfolio of work
Submit a PDF of complete pages that contains three to six photos by the same photographer. There may be more than one photo on one page. Send as one PDF.

M22. Photo illustration
Submit a PDF of a complete page that contains a photo illustration. Judging is based on technique, ease of viewing the image and creativity. If more than one creator, clearly identify on the form the photographer and illustrator. Include caption with photo illustration.

M23. Photo Illustration: Portfolio of work
Submit a PDF of three to six pages that contain photo illustrations by same creator(s). There may be more than one photo on one page. Send as one PDF.

M24. Informational graphics
Submit a PDF of the page where an informational graphic shows charted information, lists, timelines, pull out quote boxes of information, graphs, diagrams, maps or factoid of information using illustration or photography.

M25. Design of a single spread
Submit a PDF of complete spread (two facing pages). Submissions may include literary, literary-art, general or feature magazines.

M26. Design Multi-page presentation
Submit a PDF of at least three or more pages to show how the design is carried through. Submissions may include literary, literary-art, general or feature magazines.

M27. Design portfolio
Submit a PDF of three to six different pages or spreads by the same designer. Submissions may include literary, literary-art, general or feature magazines. Send as one PDF.

M28. Single Subject Feature Package, Single Page Design
Submit a PDF of a single page of one or more stories on a single topic. Stories should analyze or interpret an issue through headlines, copy, photos and captions. The emphasis should be on the scope, content, and quality of the reporting and editing. Results of opinion surveys may be included as one of the stories. Photos, information graphics and other art will be considered in judging the overall presentation, but spreads without them will also be considered without prejudice.

M29. Single Subject Feature Package, Double-truck (two-facing pages)
Submit a PDF of pages published either as a double-truck (two facing pages designed as a visual unit) published of one or more stories on a single topic. Stories should analyze or interpret an issue through headlines, copy, photos and captions. Send as one PDF.

Yearbook Verbal Categories

How to submit entries:
• Include the COMPLETE page that your entry was printed as a PDF.
• If your entry is spread, please put your pages together as one page, it will give the judges the same reading experience as your audience.
• If you are submitting multiple pages please make one PDF.

How to NAME entries:
The name of the PDF must include: Division(HS or COL)–Category Number–HeadlineOrTitleOfEntry

Y01. Feature writing: Student Life
Submit a PDF of a spread with a piece of feature writing and reporting on school/college and community from the student life section of the book. Topics can also include in-depth features and current events coverage.

Y02. Sports reporting
Submit a PDF of a spread with copy that makes the reader feel that she/ he is reliving the season.

Y03. Sports feature writing
Submit a PDF of a spread with copy that covers any topic that spotlights an unusual aspect of an event, a coach, a player or any controversy.

Y04. Academic writing
Submit a PDF of a spread with any copy that features a department, a subject or unusual academic direction. Do not include personality profiles of a teacher or other staff member. Enter these in category #Y6.

Y05. Organization/Greek writing
Submit a PDF of a spread with copy that gives the reader a fresh view of the organization or Greek society.

Y06. Personality profile
Submit a PDF of a spread with copy featuring a teacher, staff member or student that makes the individual three-dimensional.

Y07. Sidebar Writing
Submit a PDF a spread with of any sidebar ALONG WITH THE MAIN SPREAD to show the relationship to the story and page. Send as one PDF.

Y08. Headline writing
Submit a PDF of three spreads with headlines.

Y09. Caption/cutline writing
Submit a PDF of three spreads with captions (and their photos).

Y10. Alternative Story Form
Submit a PDF of a spread with info presented in a non-narrative format such as timelines, a list, story broken into segments, Q&A, use of info graphics or factoids.

Yearbook Visual Categories

How to NAME entries:
The name of the PDF must include: Division(HS or COL)–Category Number–HeadlineOrTitleOfEntry

For stories and layouts, list the category number (ex. Y9 or DM39 or M21) then use the headline as the title. For individual pieces (poems/art/photos) again list the category number then use the title of that piece. If it is untitled, use "Untitled" as the title.

Y11. Theme and concept
Submit a PDF of the cover, opening spreads, divider spreads, closing spreads. Judging will take design and theme copy into consideration as well as the strength of the book's theme/concept presented throughout the entire book. Send as four PDFs, (cover, opening spreads, divider spreads and closing spreads).

Y12. Cover design
Submit a PDF of the cover. This must be an original student design and not a cover created by a design at your printing plant. Since this is a student competition, do not submit entries designed by a professional plant artist. If you cover has a special effect (die cut, embossing, heat sensitive design) that may not necessarily show through the artwork submitted to your publisher, you may also submit a photo of the finished cover.

Y13. End sheets
Submit a PDF of front and back end sheets. Since this is a student competition, do not submit entries designed by a professional plant artist.

Y14. Title page
Submit a PDF of one title page for an entry. Since this is a student competition, do not submit entries designed by a professional plant artist.

Y15. Table of contents
Submit a PDF of one table of contents for an entry.

Y16. Sports action photo
Submit a PDF of the full page or spread with one well-cropped, in-focus photograph with excellent tonal quality. Photo must have a caption. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

Y17. Sports feature photo
Submit a PDF of the full page or spread with one well-cropped, in-focus photograph with excellent tonal quality. Include caption with photo. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

Y18. Academic photo
Submit a PDF of the full page or spread with one photo that depicts students in a learning situation either in or out of class. Include caption with photo. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

Y19. Feature photo
Submit a PDF of the full page or spread with one human-interest photo with emphasis on people in their environment. Posed shots and portraits are not acceptable. Include caption with photo. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

Y20. Photo illustration: single image
Submit a PDF of the page with your photo illustration. Judging is based on technique, ease of viewing the image and creativity. If more than one person, clearly identify on the form the photographer and illustrator. Include caption with photo. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

Y21. Photo portfolio
Submit a PDF of three to six photos from the same photographer (photo illustrations should not be included) of any sports, academic, feature or advertising photo. Send as one PDF.

Y22. Index
Submit a PDF of the entire index. Judged on creative presentation of the index. Send as one PDF.

Y23. Informational Graphics: single
Submit a PDF of an information graphic that includes charted information, lists, timelines, pull out quote boxes of information, graphs, diagrams, maps or factoid of information using illustration or photography.

Y24. Informational Graphics: Portfolio
Submit a PDF of three to six pieces by the same creator(s). Send as one PDF.

Y25. Opening and closing spread design
Submit a PDF of all of the opening and closing spreads.

Y26. Division page design
Submit a PDF of one set of all division pages in the yearbook. Elements of yearbook need to include complete story, headline, folios, photos and captions. Send as one PDF.

Y27. Feature presentation
Submit a PDF of an unusual feature from any section. Judged on subject selection, writing, photography and design. Features must include headlines, captions and a story.

Y28. Student Life spread: one spread
Submit a PDF of a single page or two-page spread student life spread. Topics can include in-depth feature or current events coverage.

Y29. Sports spread: one spread
Submit a PDF of single page or two-page spread that covers a sports topic.

Y30. Academic spread: one spread
Submit a PDF of a single page or two-page spread that covers an academic topic.

Y31. People spread with mug photos
Submit a PDF of a single page or two-page spread that includes mug photos.

Y32. People spreads without mug photos one spread
Submit a PDF of a single page or two-page spread that covers a topic relevant to students that is in the people section. It may include features, culture or alternative story form.

Y33. Organization or Greeks spread: one spread
Submit a PDF of a single page or two page spread that covers an organization or Greek topic. Emphasis on action photography and copy that tells a particular story of the organization/Greeks rather than focusing on general goals, purposes, aims, etc.

Y34. Design portfolio
Submit a PDF of three to six spreads by one designer from any part of the book. Pages may be student life, sports, academic, people, organization or Greeks. Send as one PDF.

Digital Media Verbal Categories

NOTE: Any submissions that are designed as PDF and viewed on a reader such as ISSUU should be submitted in the News category section of Gold Circles.

These categories include all publications published on a website.

How to submit entries:
• Include working publications website link of your published work created by your staff.
• • Judges can only consider entries with working publication website links.

DM01. Breaking news
Submit a publication website link of a story written within twelve hours of a developing news event on your campus. It needs to go beyond basic reporting to include context and background.

DM02. Secondary coverage
Submit a publication website link of a page that features stories, info graphics, sidebars that demonstrate follow-up reporting to breaking news.

DM03. News writing (planned news)
Submit a publication website link of an article that presents new information or a new angle on information about past events. The story should have ample background information and context with a crisp lead and a well-written nut graph.

DM04. News feature
Submit a publication website link of an article that provides information supplementing a news story, usually by adding the human element behind a news event or by giving background through interpretation or explanation.

DM05. In-depth news/feature story
Submit a publication website link of a detailed story with extensive research and several attributed sources designed to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

DM06. Editorial writing
Submit a publication website link of an editorial written as a statement of opinion by the staff, not a personal op-ed column. Editorials should be neither bylined nor initialed (enter those opinion columns in categories #DM7-DM11).

DM07. Personal opinion: On-campus issues
Submit a publication website link of either a regularly appearing column or a one-time opinion piece that expresses a viewpoint regarding any issue or incident that affects your campus community. Judged on quality of writing and amount of research and insight provided.

DM08. Personal opinion: Off-campus issues
Submit a publication website link of either a regularly appearing column or a one-time opinion piece that expresses a viewpoint regarding any issue or trend that goes beyond your campus community. Judged on quality of writing and amount of research and insight provided.

DM09. General or humor commentary
Submit a publication website link of either a regularly appearing personal opinion column or a humorous column. All columns should be bylined by a single writer. Judged on quality of writing and the amount of research and insight provided. (Staff editorials should be entered in the editorial writing category #DM6.)

DM10. First-person experience
Submit a publication website link of either a regularly appearing column or a one-time opinion piece that describes a personal experience that shaped the viewpoint of the writer. Judged on quality of writing and insight provided. (Not for first person reporting of a news or sports event. Submit such stories in category #DM7, #DM8 or #DM9.)

DM11. Sports news
Submit a publication website link of an article that emphasizes timely action such as season summaries and game stories.

DM12. Sports features
Submit a publication website link of an article that uses lively details to clarify sports issues, to provide entertainment and insight about sports, or to profile the personality of sports figures, coaches or team members. Also includes season previews.

DM13. Personality profile
Submit a publication website link of a feature story about an individual's life, interests or accomplishments.

DM14. General feature
Submit a publication website link of an article that entertains through material that is interesting but not necessarily news oriented. Emphasis should be on rich detail and liberal use of quotes.

DM15. Entertainment reviews
Submit a publication website link of an opinion piece that reviews movies, music, plays, concerts, books, exhibits, performances or other technical gadgets available to the public or to the student community.

Digital Media Visual Categories

NOTE: Any submissions that are designed as PDF and viewed on a reader such as ISSUU should be submitted in the News category section of Gold Circles.

These categories include all publications published on a website.

How to submit entries:
• Include working publication website link of your published video created by your staff.
• Judges can only consider entries with a working publication website link.

DM16. Single spot news photograph
Submit publication website link of a single photograph. Judged on impact, news value, technique, subject matter, on-the-spot timing, audience impact, and sharp print quality. No posed shots or portraits. Include caption with photo. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

DM17. Single feature photograph
Submit the publication website link of a single photograph. Judged on technique, impact, human interest with emphasis on people in their environment, good cropping, sharp print quality and its ability to convey a story. Include caption with photo. Photographs that have been altered by means of computer software should be entered in the photo illustration category #DM25. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

DM18. Single sports photograph
Submit the publication website link of a single photograph. Judging is based on technique, sharp print quality, and the degree to which it captures the action and emotion of the sporting event. Include caption with photo. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

DM19. Photo illustration
Submit the publication website link of a photo illustration. Judging is based on technique, ease of viewing the image and creativity. If more than one creator, clearly identify on the form the photographer and illustrator. Include caption with photo illustration.

DM20. Photography Portfolio of work
Submit three to six publication website links of photos by one photographer. Photo illustrations may be included. This counts as single entry. If there are multiple photos on a page, indicate on the entry form under "title of piece" with the photo's title or description.

DM21. Computer generated art/illustration
Submit the publication website link of an original illustration that accompanies a news, sports or feature story (include the article as well). Judging is based on originality, ability to capture the content, tone or flavor of a story and artistic values. No photos, photo illustrations or information graphics should be entered in this category.

DM22. Cartoons
Submit the publication website link of a cartoon and caption to be judged on originality, appropriateness to subject matter, style and clarity. If cartoon relates to an editorial, include the accompanying editorial link. If sports, the submitted artwork and caption must illustrate or comment on sports figures or events. If comic, submitted artwork and caption must illustrate humor.

DM23. Informational graphics
Submit one website link of informational graphics that charted information, lists, timelines, pull out quote boxes of information, graphs, diagrams, maps or factoid of information using illustration or photography.

Digital Media Design Categories

How to submit entries:
• Include working publication website link of your published video created by your staff.
• Judges can only consider entries with working publication website links.

DM24. Photo slideshow
Submit the publication website link to a slideshow with photos on one subject.

DM25. Podcast
Submit the publication website link to a student produced podcast created by online staff.

DM26. Interactive graphic
Submit a publication website link to a page of an interactive graphic that allows your reader to navigate through the graphic and receive information.

Digital Media Video Categories

Videos that were broadcast on a school network system or on the web site are eligible.

How to submit entries:
• Include working publication website link of your published video created by your staff.
• Judges can only consider entries with working publication website links.

DM27. Video PSA
Submit the publication website link to a video published online by your staff on a public service announcement promoting health or safety awareness.

DM28. Video News Package
Submit the publication website link to a video published online by your staff about a news event presenting new information on an angle on previously aired information or past events.

DM29. Video Feature Package
Submit the publication website link to a video published online by your staff about a feature story that contains material that is interesting but not necessarily news oriented. It may include personality profiles or entertainment reviews.

DM30. Video Documentary
Submit the publication website link to a video online published by your staff about issue-oriented coverage with emphasis on research, interviewing and analysis. Preference is given to shorter pieces, usually not longer than 20 minutes.

Digital Magazine Verbal Categories

NOTE: Any submissions that are designed as PDF and viewed on a reader such as ISSUU should be submitted in the News category section of Gold Circles.

These categories include all publications published on a website.

How to submit entries:
• Include working publications website link of your published work created by your staff.
• Judges can only consider entries with working publication website links.

DM31. Open (free) form poetry
Submit the publication website link of one free-form poem is published.

DM32. Closed (traditional) form poetry
Submit the publication website link of one traditional poem is published.

DM33. Experimental Fiction
Submit the publication website link of one piece of experimental fiction is published.

DM34. Traditional Fiction
Submit the publication website link of one piece of traditional fiction is published.

DM35. Non-fiction article
Submit the publication website link of one non-fiction article story on any issue or person relevant to the local or campus community is published.

DM36. Non-fiction interview
Submit the publication website link of one feature story on any issue or person relevant to the local or campus community is published.

Our Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 applications are open!

CSPA Gold Circle Awards Categories

Columbia Scholastic Press Association