SayPro Quality of Submissions: Ensuring Originality, Impact, and Relevance to the Quarterly Theme.

SayPro Development Quarterly Writing and Journalism Competitions (SCDR.3.12)
Date: January 21, 2025

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The SayPro Development Quarterly Writing and Journalism Competitions is designed to encourage high-quality submissions from both internal and external participants. In order to uphold the standards of the competition, it is essential that all submissions adhere to the core values of originality, impact, and relevance to the quarterly theme. This ensures that the competition remains a platform for meaningful, innovative, and thoughtful discourse.

1. Ensuring Originality in Submissions

One of the primary criteria for judging submissions is originality. SayPro values fresh perspectives, creative ideas, and unique expressions that set participants apart from others in the field of writing and journalism. Submissions that demonstrate originality not only engage readers but also contribute new insights and ideas to the conversation.

• No Plagiarism:
  All entries must be 100% original and created specifically for the competition. Plagiarism, including the reuse of content from other publications or unauthorized sources, will result in disqualification. To ensure the authenticity of each submission, SayPro may employ plagiarism detection tools, and any entry found to have plagiarized content will be immediately rejected.
• Fresh Perspectives:
  The competition encourages writers to present fresh perspectives on the quarterly theme. This could involve new angles, untold stories, or unique takes on common issues. Writers are encouraged to push boundaries, think critically, and offer innovative solutions or viewpoints, which can lead to impactful and memorable work.
• Creative Use of Language:
  Originality is not just about the ideas presented but also how they are expressed. SayPro appreciates well-crafted writing that uses language effectively, engages readers, and demonstrates mastery of the written word. Submissions should showcase the participant’s creativity in presenting ideas in an interesting, compelling, and accessible way.

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2. Ensuring Impact of Submissions

Submissions should not only be original but also impactful—able to engage, inform, inspire, or provoke thought among readers. Impactful submissions have the power to influence opinions, change perspectives, or encourage meaningful action.

• Clear and Strong Messaging:
  A submission’s core message should be clear, concise, and well-supported by facts, research, or real-world examples. Strong submissions will resonate with readers by addressing issues in ways that are insightful and thought-provoking. Writers should aim to leave readers with a lasting impression or prompt them to consider new ideas or take action.
• Relevance to Contemporary Issues:
  Impactful submissions often engage with contemporary social, economic, political, or environmental issues. Writers should consider how their work can shed light on important topics or inspire change. The quarterly theme will provide a focal point, but participants are encouraged to tie their submissions to current events or emerging trends to increase the relevance and impact of their work.
• Connection with the Audience:
  An impactful piece resonates with its intended audience—whether it’s a professional community, a general audience, or a specific group. Writers should aim to create content that is relatable, engaging, and accessible to the target audience, while maintaining a tone and style that suits the context of the competition.
• Use of Persuasive Techniques:
  For opinion pieces, essays, and other forms of persuasive writing, participants should use logic, emotion, and credible evidence to build a compelling argument. Effective use of rhetorical devices, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, will help increase the impact of the submission.

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3. Relevance to the Quarterly Theme

Each quarter, a specific theme will be chosen to guide the competition. Submissions must be directly relevant to the chosen theme to be considered for evaluation. This ensures that all entries contribute meaningfully to the ongoing dialogue around important and timely topics.

• Theme Understanding:
  Writers should demonstrate a clear understanding of the theme, exploring its facets and implications thoughtfully. This can involve addressing the theme from multiple perspectives or proposing solutions to problems identified within the theme. Entries should be carefully aligned with the theme, ensuring the content speaks directly to the ideas, challenges, or questions posed by it.
• Contextual Relevance:
  Participants are encouraged to place their work within a relevant context, drawing connections to current events, global discussions, or community-based issues. For example, if the theme is about sustainable development, submissions could cover topics ranging from environmental policy to the role of technology in sustainability. Writers should avoid tangential or loosely related topics, as the goal is to deepen the exploration of the central theme.
• Creative Interpretation of the Theme:
  While relevance is crucial, writers are encouraged to creatively interpret the theme. For instance, they might explore less obvious aspects of the theme or introduce new ideas and frameworks that contribute to a broader understanding. This allows participants to exercise creativity and produce work that is not just relevant but also fresh and intellectually stimulating.
• Staying True to the Theme’s Spirit:
  Even while creatively exploring the theme, submissions must adhere to the spirit of the theme. For example, a theme focused on empowerment should not be twisted into content that undermines or distracts from the core message. The submissions should align with the intent behind the theme and foster meaningful conversations.

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4. Judging and Evaluation Criteria for Quality

To ensure the quality of submissions, a panel of judges will evaluate all entries based on the following key criteria:

1. Originality and Uniqueness:
   • How original and unique is the submission? Does it offer new insights or ideas, or does it replicate existing content?
2. Clarity and Structure:
   • Is the submission well-organized and clearly written? Are the main ideas easy to follow, and does the writing have a clear, logical structure?
3. Relevance to the Quarterly Theme:
   • Does the submission directly address the quarterly theme? Is it well-aligned with the key ideas or issues raised by the theme?
4. Impact and Engagement:
   • Does the submission resonate with its intended audience? Does it provoke thought, inspire change, or offer solutions to problems?
5. Writing Quality:
   • Is the submission free of errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation? Does the writing demonstrate strong command of language and style? Is it engaging and readable?
6. Use of Evidence or Research:
   • If applicable, does the submission provide solid evidence, research, or real-world examples to support its points? Is the research credible and well-integrated into the narrative?

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5. Supporting Resources for Participants

To help participants achieve high-quality submissions, SayPro will provide the following resources:

• Writing Guidelines:
  Clear guidelines for submission formats, word count limits, and expectations for writing style. This will help participants ensure that their work is properly structured and adheres to competition standards.
• Workshops or Webinars:
  Writing workshops or informational webinars may be offered to assist participants in refining their writing skills, understanding the theme, and receiving tips on effective storytelling or argumentation.
• Sample Submissions:
  Sample submissions from previous competitions or successful entries may be shared to give participants an understanding of the caliber of work expected and to inspire ideas for their own entries.

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6. Conclusion

Ensuring that submissions are original, impactful, and relevant to the quarterly theme is essential for maintaining the integrity, quality, and success of the SayPro Development Quarterly Writing and Journalism Competitions. By upholding these standards, the competition not only serves as a platform for talented writers to showcase their work but also contributes to meaningful discussions around significant global and social issues. Participants are encouraged to submit their best work, knowing that their creativity and voice can make a lasting impact within SayPro and the wider community.

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End of Document

This SayPro Quality of Submissions document outlines the key aspects that contribute to maintaining high standards in the SayPro Development Quarterly Writing and Journalism Competitions. It emphasizes the importance of originality, impact, and relevance to the quarterly theme while providing clarity on how these factors will be judged and supported throughout the competition process.