Virginia Tech Professional Writing Program

Requirements | Submission Format | Evaluation Criteria

In Spring 2006, the English Department will offer a prize of $100 for excellence in professional writing. There will be small prizes for honorable mentions.

In December 1998, Robert H. Dedman, Jr., President and CEO of ClubCorp International, Inc., donated money to Virginia Tech in recognition of its efforts "to embrace industry [and] to establish partnerships" that work to meet "the challenges of our global society." Some of this money went to the Department of English. In December 1999, the English Department's Honorifics Committee voted to use the money to reward exemplary achievements by students in professional writing courses.

Requirements

Eligibility: Students who are majoring or minoring in English.
Deadline: Wednesday, April 13, 2006
Submit to: Dr. Jim Dubinsky, Director of Professional Writing (429 Shanks; mailbox 22); dubinsky@vt.edu

What to submit:

1. A cover letter outlining the nature and value of your work. In this letter, please provide the context for your document(s). Questions you should answer include--

What tasks were you completing?
To whom were you writing?
What were your goals?

2. A 5-10 page (1500-3000 word) sample** of your professional (workplace) writing that demonstrates your ability to explain, instruct, persuade, or design for a specific audience and purpose. The document(s) may come from courses in the Professional Writing Program or from your workplace (internship or Co-op).

You may choose to include a set of instructions, a newsletter, a research report, a grant proposal, a feasibility study, a recommendation / persuasive report, a website, or similar work. The texts may be in hard copy or on the WWW (see Submission Format for details on submitting web pages).

**You may submit a single document or a portfolio of related documents (e.g., an analysis and revision of a website). You may also excerpt a longer document, provided you explain the context of and rationale for this decision in your cover letter.

Submission Format

Include a copy of the cover sheet and

Delete all references to your name from all documents.
Number pages consecutively, beginning with the cover letter.
Use 1-1.25" margins L/R and 1" margins top and bottom.
Use standard MLA or APA format throughout for documenting sources.
Place all items in a 9.5 x 12" manila envelope. On the outside, print your name and list the items contained within.
If you submit items located on the WWW, include the URL in your cover letter. In addition, include a 3.5" floppy /100 Mb ZIP disk with copies of the electronic files in the manila envelope.

Evaluation Criteria

The sample should demonstrate your ability to create effective texts that meet the demands of your audiences. We will evaluate the texts in terms of content, organization, style, design, and correctness. Clear, correct prose is a standard.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jim Dubinsky.

			Professional Writing Program: Dedman Prize


PW Home Curriculum Fall 2005 Courses Spring 2005 Courses Fall 2004 Courses Faculty Careers Student Projects Resources for Students Dedman Prize Resources for Teachers Questions? Contact Jim Dubinsky			Requirements \| Submission Format \| Evaluation Criteria In Spring 2006, the English Department will offer a prize of $100 for excellence in professional writing. There will be small prizes for honorable mentions. In December 1998, Robert H. Dedman, Jr., President and CEO of ClubCorp International, Inc., donated money to Virginia Tech in recognition of its efforts "to embrace industry [and] to establish partnerships" that work to meet "the challenges of our global society." Some of this money went to the Department of English. In December 1999, the English Department's Honorifics Committee voted to use the money to reward exemplary achievements by students in professional writing courses. Requirements Eligibility: Students who are majoring or minoring in English. Deadline: Wednesday, April 13, 2006 Submit to: Dr. Jim Dubinsky, Director of Professional Writing (429 Shanks; mailbox 22); dubinsky@vt.edu What to submit: 1. A cover letter outlining the nature and value of your work. In this letter, please provide the context for your document(s). Questions you should answer include-- What tasks were you completing? To whom were you writing? What were your goals? 2. A 5-10 page (1500-3000 word) sample of your professional (workplace) writing that demonstrates your ability to explain, instruct, persuade, or design for a specific audience and purpose. The document(s) may come from courses in the Professional Writing Program or from your workplace (internship or Co-op). You may choose to include a set of instructions, a newsletter, a research report, a grant proposal, a feasibility study, a recommendation / persuasive report, a website, or similar work. The texts may be in hard copy or on the WWW (see Submission Format for details on submitting web pages). You may submit a single document or a portfolio of related documents (e.g., an analysis and revision of a website). You may also excerpt a longer document, provided you explain the context of and rationale for this decision in your cover letter. Submission Format Include a copy of the cover sheet and Delete all references to your name from all documents. Number pages consecutively, beginning with the cover letter. Use 1-1.25" margins L/R and 1" margins top and bottom. Use standard MLA or APA format throughout for documenting sources. Place all items in a 9.5 x 12" manila envelope. On the outside, print your name and list the items contained within. If you submit items located on the WWW, include the URL in your cover letter. In addition, include a 3.5" floppy /100 Mb ZIP disk with copies of the electronic files in the manila envelope. Evaluation Criteria The sample should demonstrate your ability to create effective texts that meet the demands of your audiences. We will evaluate the texts in terms of content, organization, style, design, and correctness. Clear, correct prose is a standard. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jim Dubinsky.
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