IHSA Tournament Events
Here’s the Event Lineup for the IHSA Journalism Tournament
The events in both the sectionals and the state final are scheduled in two blocks of 90 minutes each. Two events span both blocks of time: feature photography and broadcast news. The other 15 events are confined to single 90-minute blocks.
NOTE: The following event summaries have been taken from the 2018-19 IHSA Journalism Terms and Conditions.
Block A Events
1. Photo Story Telling (Block A & B)
Photographers will submit a series of three photos with a common theme to collec- tively tell a story. Photoshop can be used to enhance the images but not alter the content. The submission must include a brief written summary to provide context for the photo story, although the written portion will not be scored. No previous pictures are allowed on the memory card. A digital camera must be used in this category. For the purpose of this competition, cell phones, tablets and other similar devices will not be allowed.
2. Broadcast News (Block A & B)
Students will provide their own equipment to create an audio MP3 clip of a 75-second news broadcast with a minimum of two sound bites using live and written information received at a press conference. Recording devices with headphones are allowed in the press conference. The students MP3 file must be transferred to a blank flash drive provided by the competitor and submitted for judging. Students shall be judged on news value, news judgment and convergence. Pre-recorded material is prohibited. Editing software must be downloaded prior to competition. No technical support will be provided onsite by the host or anyone else.
3. News Writing
Students shall receive both live and written interview information and then write a story based on the information provided. The word limit will be 400 words. Stories will be judged on leads, clarity and accuracy of details, and proper style and mechanics in addition to writing and organization. Students are permitted to use an AP Stylebook and dictionaries. Recording devices with headphones are allowed in the press conference.
4. Review Writing
Students will write a review suitable for publication in their high school newspaper. The word limit will be 350 words. Advisers will be notified on the IHSA website of the genre of material to be reviewed one (1) week prior to sectionals/state. Students are permitted to use an AP Stylebook and dictionaries (non-electronic format only).
5. Advertising
Students will be given two business sheets from which they will design ads to fit certain sizes on provided 8 1/2 x 11 sheets. Students may bring rulers, pens, pencils or black felt-tipped pens. They will not be allowed to use color. All artwork in the ad must be original. Entries will be judged based on originality, readability, and the use of a dominant element that grabs attention and sells the product or service.
6. Yearbook Theme Development (Duo or Single Event) (Block A&B)
Students will be given a theme provided at the contest site from which they will develop a colored cover page and black and white title page (not a divider page) with graphics for a high school yearbook. Students competing in Yearbook Theme Development may use the following materials: magazines, markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue/glue sticks. Entries will be judged based on basic design principles, creativity and originality.
7. Newspaper Design
Students will design a front page of a 16-inch tabloid newspaper. Elements will be provided at the contest site. Entries will be judged on a well-balanced design that is appealing to the eye and incorporates basic design rules such as multiple points of entry and good use of headline size. Stories chosen should reflect good news judgment. Information regarding the platform and available programs will be posted on the IHSA website. Only the elements provided at the contest site may be used. Adobe Creative Suite programs can be used in this event.
8. Yearbook Caption Writing
Students will receive four yearbook photos from four categories (Academics, Clubs, Sports, Student Life) and a fact sheet with overview information on each photo. Captions should state more than the obvious and further the story of the photo. Students will be judged on creativity, accuracy and AP style on all four captions and a cumulative score provided. Captions should be at least two sentences, but no more than three sentences, and must fit within a provided caption box that meets the prompts requirements for text size, font and spacing. Students are permitted to use an AP Stylebook and dictionaries (non-electronic format only).
9. Infographics
Students will be required to create a graphic to illustrate a given set of statistics for a story that will be provided to them. Entries will be judged on originality, readability, clarity and adherence to aesthetic control principles. Information regarding the platform and available programs will be posted on the IHSA website. Adobe Creative Suite programs can be used in this event.
10. Copy Editing
Students will be provided a newspaper story that they will edit for AP style, accuracy, attribution, correct paragraphing, grammar, spelling and redundancy. Students will be asked to locate and correct all errors. All marks must be made in pencil. Students may use a current AP Stylebook and dictionary for this contest (non-electronic format only).
11. Video News (Block A & B)
Teams of one to three students will cover a press conference and then produce a video news segment on it that must be at least 90 seconds long, but no longer than 120 seconds. Students will shoot, interview and edit footage to produce a video that will be judged on elements that include news value, transitions, audio and production.
Block B Events
12. Feature Writing
Students shall receive both live and written interview information and then write a feature story based on the information provided. The word limit will be 500 words. In addition to well-written and organized articles, judges will look for the use of an interesting lead, accurate details about the information provided by the subject, and proper style and mechanics. Students are permitted to use an AP Stylebook and dictionaries (non-electronic format only). Recording devices with headphones are allowed in the press conference.
13. Headline Writing
Students will be provided with news and feature stories in which to write six (6) headlines. Dummy sheet will be provided. Students will determine the font size and number of lines. Students will be judged on headline rules, creativity, and accuracy.
14. Yearbook Copy Writing
Students will be provided a fact sheet from which they will write a copy block suitable for a high school yearbook. The word limit will be 350 words. In addition to a well-written and organized copy, judges will look for accurate details, and proper style and mechanics. Students are permitted to use an AP Stylebook and dictionaries (non-electronic format only).
15. Yearbook Layout: Double Page Spread
Students will create a layout for a double-page spread using an online yearbook dummy doc or InDesign. Entries will be judged on good use of and variety of sizes and shapes of all elements, a design that is appropriate for the theme and audience, and use of dominant element and readability of text.
16. Editorial Cartooning
Students will be given information on a topic of general interest. After reading the material, students will be asked to design an editorial cartoon supporting or opposing the proposition. Judges will look at a simple and clear editorial statement as well as evidence of artistic ability and a creative approach. Students may bring rulers, pens, pencils or black felt-tipped pens, but final entries must be submitted in black ink, and all artwork must be original.
17. Editorial Writing
Students will be given information on a topic of general interest. After reading the material, students will write an editorial on the topic using their ideas to support or oppose the proposition. The word limit will be 350 words. Entries will be judged on the quality of the arguments and writing, organization, and proper style and mechanics. Students are permitted to use an AP Stylebook and dictionaries (non-electronic format only).
18. Sports Writing
Students who compete in the sports writing contest will write a game story or have interview information on a person who is involved in sports and then write a story based on the material. The word limit will be 400 words. In addition to well-written and organized articles, judges will be looking for the use of an interesting lead that pulls the reader into the story, accurate details about the information given by the subject, and proper style and mechanics. Students are permitted to use an AP Stylebook and dictionaries (non-electronic format only).
NOTE: An Associated Press Stylebook, a dictionary and a thesaurus may be used in all categories. They must be non-electronic format. No other texts or documents may be used.