critique service

All members of WJEA are eligible to have their student publications (broadcast, newspaper, yearbook, website, or newsmagazine) critiqued. The cost is $40 per publication for both the critique and Emerald Award consideration. Questions or concerns? Please contact the critique service chair, Sandra Coyer, at coyers@gmail.com.

WHAT IS IT? The Emerald (formerly All-Washington) Awards provide you and your staff the opportunity to celebrate the journalistic work you’ve done all year. By entering into the critique, you are eligible to be honored for meeting a high standard of excellence. After a panel examines the entries, publications/ websites will be sent to judges from around the country and a detailed critique will be sent back prior to school starting this fall. The critique rating and Emerald Award designation are SEPARATE from each other. The score on the critique does not impact the Emerald Award designations.

HOW DO WE DO IT? You should receive the entry forms and instructions this spring. The deadline is typically mid-June.

Website Critique Form.

Broadcast Critique Form.

Newspaper/Newsmagazine Critique Form

FOR NEWSPAPERS: You will submit pdfs of at least three (3) issues (preferably one from first semester and the other two from second semester). These can be sent as e-mail attachment, upload to an online hosting site like Issuu, or provide a URL that links to the publication.

FOR YEARBOOKS: You will submit a copy of the most recent publication to: Sandra Coyer 21553 SE 298th Pl. Kent, Wash. 98042
Please note: Submissions must ARRIVE by the JUNE 14 DEADLINE, and submitted yearbooks WILL NOT returned.

Yearbook Critique Form.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Publications will appear before a panel of trained and seasoned advisers. No adviser whose publication is up for Emerald Awards will be part of the panel in their category. Then publications will be sent off to judges to receive a detailed critique where they will earn either a Superior, Excellent or Honorable Mention designation. Announcements of Emerald Award winners will be made at the Journalism Day at the University of Washington in September. Any schools in eastern Washington will also be recognized at the Journalism Day at Whitworth in October.

Publications should receive their detailed critique back at some point in late August/early September.