Each writing division entry must be submitted online as a PDF in manuscript form (Times New Roman,12-point, double-spaced text with 1-inch margins on letter-size paper). The file name should follow this format: division_category_membername.pdf. For example, writing_newsstory_lastname_firstname.pdf

An example format is provided on the National ACT’s Critique & Contest webpage: https://nactnow.org/contests-awards/. Do not submit photographs with an entry. Entries in published form will be disqualified. NOTE: The first-place entries in the writing categories will be entered in the Excellence in Writing competition.

Entries will be judged on readability, originality, organization, use of appropriate writing style (re: AP Style), effectiveness and overall appeal. To assist the judges, you will be asked to describe the purpose and ideal audience of each entry.

1. NEWS STORY 

Entries should be written in inverted pyramid style and should address a current issue or event. Any word count is acceptable. 

2. SHORT FEATURE STORY

Short feature stories include technical, how-to, historical, etc., of 1,000 words or less. 

3. LONG FEATURE STORY

Long feature stories include technical, how-to, historical, etc., of more than 1,000 words.

4. SHORT PERSONALITY PROFILE 

Entries should be 1,000 words or less and should focus on a person, business, farm, organization, etc.

5. LONG PERSONALITY PROFILE 

Entries should be more than 1,000 words and should focus on a person, business, farm, organization, etc. 

6. RESEARCH-RELATED WRITING 

Entries should be stories written in a journalistic format AND related to scientific research, either social science or lab science. Any word count is acceptable. 

7. EDITORIAL or SINGLE BLOG ENTRY

Entries should be opinion pieces meant to persuade an audience on a specific issue. Any word count is acceptable. 

8. NEWS/PRESS RELEASE

Entries should be written to inform and formatted in a traditional release style with a header, headline, dateline, boilerplate, etc. Any word count is acceptable. 

Each publication division entry must be submitted online as a PDF. Additionally, six copies of the printed magazines are required. NOTE: The first-place entries in the publication categories will be entered in the Excellence in Publications competition.  

For the online submission, the file name should follow this format: division_category_membername.pdf. For example, publication_brochure_lastname_firstname.pdf.

Entries will be judged on layout and design, typography, graphics, content, writing quality, effectiveness, and overall appeal. To assist the judges, you will be asked to describe the purpose and ideal audience of each entry.

1. SMALL FORMAT PUBLICATION

Entries should be a newsletter, brochure, pamphlet, rack cards, postcards, etc. Entries can be a single item or a series. Entries should be submitted as a PDF of the completed design. Any size or dimension is acceptable. 

2. MAGAZINE

The magazine category will be judged using printed copies of the publication. However, all entries must be submitted in two formats:

1. Online Submission – A PDF version of a single issue must be uploaded.
2. Mailed Submission – Six physical copies of the same issue as submitted as a PDF must be mailed to the National ACT representative listed below.

The PDF and mailed copies must be identical in content and format. Magazine entries are $20 USD per entry.

All mailed entries must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2026, to allow adequate time for distribution to judges.

Magazine category entries should be mailed to:

Shelly Legg, National ACT Executive Treasurer

Oklahoma State University

Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership

224 Agricultural Hall

Stillwater, OK 74078Stillwater, OK 74078 

All video submissions must be submitted as a YouTube link. The audio entries are uploaded as .mp3 files with the following file name format: division_category_membername. For example, emedia_audiopackage_lastname_firstname.mp3. NOTE: The first-place entries in the electronic media categories will be entered in the Excellence in Electronic Media competition. 

Entries will be judged on audio quality and/or video quality, production quality, creativity, organization, effectiveness, and overall appeal. To assist the judges, you will be asked to describe the purpose and ideal audience of each entry.

1. AUDIO PACKAGE 

Entries must be between 30 seconds and 5 minutes in duration. Newscasts, PSAs, podcasts, interviews, documentaries or editorials are eligible to be entered. Entries must be more than a market report. 

2. AUDIO ADVERTISEMENT

Entries must be between 15 seconds and 60 seconds in duration and written to persuade an audience. 

3. SHORT VIDEO PRODUCTION

Entries must be less than 2 minutes in duration. 

4. LONG VIDEO PRODUCTION 

Entries must be more than 2 minutes in duration. 

5. VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT 

Entries must be between 15 seconds and 60 seconds in duration and produced to persuade an audience.

Each photo entry must be 5 megabytes or smaller and must be saved in JPEG or JPG format. 

Minor photo manipulation, such as color correction or cropping, is allowed; however, removing or adding elements, using photo filters (except in the black and white category), and changing elements in relation to one another are prohibited. NOTE: The first-place entries in the photography categories will be entered in the Excellence in Photography competition. 

For submission, the file name should follow this format: division_category_membername.jpg. For example, photo_scenic_lastname_firstname.jpg or for the photo series category, use photo_photoseries_lastname_firstname_photo1.jpg, photo_photoseries_lastname_firstname_photo2.jpg, etc.

Entries will be judged on subject matter, photo quality, composition, effectiveness and overall appeal. To assist the judges, you will be asked to describe the purpose and ideal audience of each entry.

1. SCENIC PHOTO 

Images capturing landscapes, outdoor environments or wide natural settings.

2. PEOPLE PHOTO 

Images featuring individuals or groups as the primary subject.

3. ANIMAL PHOTO 

Images highlighting livestock, wildlife or other animals as the main focus.

4. PLANT PHOTO 

Images showcasing crops, flowers, trees or other plant life.

5. FOOD PHOTO 

Images depicting food items, dishes or ingredients as the central subject.

6. OTHER PHOTO 

Images that do not fit into the above categories but still represent strong photographic work.

7. BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO 

Images captured or edited exclusively in black and white; entries must be unique and cannot duplicate submissions in other categories in any format.

8. PHOTO SERIES 

A cohesive set of three to five related images telling a story or exploring a theme; photos used in a series cannot be entered individually and must be uploaded as separate JPEG or JPG files in the “Photo Series Files” upload section of the submission form.

The entries for page layout, poster or flyer, logo, infographic and advertisement are submitted online as a PDF. The blog and web design entries are submitted as URL addresses. NOTE: The first-place entries in the design and layout categories will be entered in the Excellence in Design and Layout competition. 

For submission, the file name should follow this format: division_category_membername.pdf. For example, design_pagelayout_lastname_firstname.pdf.

Entries will be judged on layout and design, color, illustration, typography, usability, effectiveness and overall appeal. To assist the judges, you will be asked to describe the purpose and ideal audience of each entry.

1. PAGE LAYOUT 

Entries can include single- or multi-page publication spreads, but they cannot be advertisements. 

2. POSTER OR FLYER 

Entries should be a single-page publication promoting an event, cause, etc. 

3. LOGO 

Entries can be for a company, organization, individual, event, etc. 

4. INFOGRAPHIC

Entries should be designed to educate or share information with an audience. 

5. PRINT ADVERTISEMENT

Entries can include one- or two-page advertisements, a billboard, etc. Any size is acceptable.

6. ELECTRONIC ADVERTISEMENT

Entries can include banner ads, pop-ups, leaderboards, etc. Any size is acceptable.

7. BLOG

Submit the URL to the blog. Ensure your blog will be online and available for judging. 

8. WEB DESIGN

Submit the URL for the website. Ensure your website will be online and available for judging.  

The entries for public relations campaign, risk/crisis communication plan, social media campaign, and single social media post are submitted as PDF files. Please submit a pdf file or a .jpg photo of your public relations single item. The first-place entries in the categories will be automatically entered into the Excellence in Public Relations competition.

For submission, the file name should follow this format: division_category_membername.pdf. For example, design_pagelayout_lastname_firstname.pdf.

Entries will be judged on appropriateness for the audience, readability, creativity, organization, effectiveness and overall appeal. To assist the judges, you will be asked to describe the purpose and ideal audience of each entry.

1. PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN 

Entries should be submitted as a PDF viewbook for a client. The viewbook should include a coordinated set of materials created to support a specific organization/company, goal, event or issue; acceptable materials include purpose/goal, SWOT analysis, logos, news releases, social media posts and/or performance analytics, graphics, fact sheets, media kits, brochures, or other pieces that together form a cohesive PR strategy. Submit one copy in final form. Individual items from this category MAY be entered in other divisions and/or categories. 

2. RISK/CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN 

Entries should be submitted as a PDF viewbook. The viewbook should outline a coordinated communication strategy designed to anticipate, address or respond to a potential or active risk or crisis. Acceptable materials include a clear purpose/goal, risk assessment, stakeholder analysis, message strategy, holding statements, news releases, social media templates or monitoring plans, graphics, fact sheets and any other components demonstrating a cohesive, well-organized risk or crisis communication strategy. Submit one copy in final form. Individual items from this category MAY be entered in other divisions and/or categories.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Entries should be submitted as a PDF viewbook. The viewbook should showcase a coordinated set of social media materials created to support a specific organization/company, goal, event or issue. Acceptable materials include platform-specific content plans, sample posts, captions, graphics, short-form videos or storyboards, hashtags, scheduling calendars and performance or engagement metrics. Materials should work together to demonstrate a cohesive social media strategy. Submit one copy in final form. Individual items from this category MAY be entered in other divisions and/or categories.

4. SINGLE SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Materials submitted should document one standalone social media post not part of a broader campaign. Entries may come from any platform (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, etc.). Submissions should include a brief explanation of how and why the post was created, the platform used, the intended goals and the target audience(s). Provide post analytics such as reach and engagement. If the post was boosted or promoted, include the dollar amount and the duration of the promotion.

5. PUBLIC RELATIONS SINGLE ITEM

Submit one standalone public relations item. Entries may include finished products or design mockups. All submissions must include a PDF of the final design or mockup, even if the item was produced physically; if the item was physically produced, also include a JPEG/JPG photo of the final item. Entries in this category cannot be entered in any other category. Items may include displays, specialty advertising pieces, promotional products, etc. Examples include mugs, pens, buttons, etc.