What are the ClearMark and WonderMark awards?

Starting in 2010, the Center for Plain Language will be giving

• ClearMark awards to the best examples of plain language in several categories
• WonderMark awards to the worst examples

Join us in celebrating the best- and lampooning the worst—examples of communication.

Deadline for submissions: February 15, 2010

Who may nominate an entry?

Any individual, team, company, or agency may nominate an entry for either the ClearMark award (best example) or the WonderMark award (worst example). You can be the author, the office or organization, or a reader or user.

What is eligible? (categories)

ClearMark Awards

Use the 2010 Entry Form for ClearMark Awards

• Best original document
  • Best original document in plain language – private sector
  • Best original document in plain language – public sector
  • Best original document in plain language – non-profit sector

  For new documents, in print or online, not for revisions.
  This must be a final, published document – for example, a final regulation, not a draft version.

• Best revised document
  • Best revised document in plain language – private sector
  • Best revised document in plain language – public sector
  • Best revised document in plain language – non-profit sector

  This category requires sending in a “before” and an “after” version.

• Best web site
  • Best web site in plain language – private sector
  • Best web site in plain language – public sector

  This category covers an entire web site (or section of a web site), rather than a specific web page. A web page or set of related pages on a single topic would fit in the “document” category.

WonderMark Awards

Use the 2010 Entry Form for WonderMark Awards

• Worst document – private sector
• Worst document – public sector

We may add more categories in later years.

Are there fees for submitting an entry?

Not this first year. We will probably charge for submissions in later years.

How will the Center judge the entries?

A panel of plain language experts will judge the entries according to these criteria.

What rules should I know about?

• The judges’ decisions are final.
• Members of the Center for Plain Language board of directors may not nominate their own work.
• The Center for Plain Language will not return copies of the entries you submit.
• If you win a ClearMark award, you must agree that the Center can
  • use your entry for publicity and public information
  • put your winning entry on the Center’s web site or link to it if it is on your web site
• If you win a ClearMark award, you must also agree to
  • attend the April 29, 2010 awards ceremony
  • speak to the media, if requested
  • write a short article about your winning entry for the Center’s blog, Plain Language Matters

When is the ClearMark Award ceremony?

Plan to join us whether you have an entry in the competition or not.
Save the date!
April 29, 2010
National Press Club
Washington DC

Questions?

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