SayPro Submission Guidelines Template.

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 (SCDR.3.12) aim to encourage creativity, critical thinking, and thoughtful engagement with relevant issues. This document provides participants with the necessary submission guidelines to ensure that entries meet the competition’s standards and are evaluated fairly.

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1. Introduction

Thank you for participating in the SayPro Development Quarterly Writing and Journalism Competitions. The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure clarity and consistency in submissions. All participants must follow these instructions carefully to ensure their entries are considered for evaluation. Failure to comply with any part of these guidelines may result in disqualification.

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2. Eligibility

• The competition is open to all SayPro employees and external participants (if applicable).
• All submissions must be original and unpublished at the time of entry. Plagiarism or submission of previously published content will lead to disqualification.

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3. Competition Theme

Each quarterly competition will have a specific theme.
Current Theme for This Quarter: [Insert Theme]

• Participants must ensure that their submissions are directly related to the chosen theme.
• Submissions that do not reflect the theme or are deemed irrelevant will not be considered.

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4. Submission Categories

Participants can submit their work under the following categories:

• Article: A journalistic piece that provides analysis, information, or an in-depth exploration of a topic.
• Essay: A reflective or argumentative piece that explores a specific idea or viewpoint.
• Opinion Piece: A short form article providing personal insight, critique, or argument on a particular issue.
• Other (Specify): Any other form of written submission relevant to the theme, e.g., research papers, reviews.

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5. Submission Formats

Submissions must adhere to the following file format and technical requirements:

• File Format: Submissions must be in one of the following formats:
  • Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
  • PDF (.pdf)
  • RTF (.rtf)
• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point size
• Line Spacing: 1.5 spacing
• Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides
• Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the footer of each page
• File Naming Convention:
  • Please name your file using the following format:
    [Your Full Name][Submission Title][Category] (e.g., JohnDoe_ArticleOnClimateChange_Article.docx)

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6. Word Count Requirements

To maintain consistency in submissions and allow fair evaluation, all entries must adhere to the following word count limits:

• Article: Between 1,000 and 1,500 words
• Essay: Between 1,500 and 2,000 words
• Opinion Piece: Between 600 and 1,000 words
• Other (Specify): Please refer to specific guidelines if applicable

Note: Submissions that exceed or fall short of the word count limits will not be considered unless the organizer has granted specific permission for an exception.

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7. Submission Deadline

• Deadline for submission: [Insert Submission Deadline Date]
• Late submissions will not be accepted, regardless of the reason. Please ensure that your submission is uploaded before the deadline.
• No extensions will be granted unless there are exceptional circumstances that will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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8. Submission Process

Participants must submit their entries through the official SayPro Submission Portal.

• Step 1: Complete the registration form (includes personal details, submission title, and consent agreement).
• Step 2: Upload your written submission (in the appropriate file format).
• Step 3: Submit your creative statement (150-200 words) explaining how your submission aligns with the theme.
• Step 4: Agree to the terms and conditions and confirm your understanding of the competition guidelines.

Note: Only entries submitted through the official portal will be considered. Email or postal submissions will not be accepted.

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9. Creative Statement

Along with your written submission, you must submit a Creative Statement of 150-200 words. This statement should include the following:

• Connection to the Theme: Explain how your submission aligns with the competition’s theme and your perspective on the subject.
• Creative Approach: Describe your approach to tackling the theme, including any unique angles, research, or thought processes you employed in writing.

This statement helps judges understand your intentions behind the work and how it connects to the larger theme.

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10. Terms and Conditions

Participants must read, acknowledge, and agree to the SayPro Terms and Conditions Agreement. The terms include:

• The ownership and usage rights of the submission, ensuring that SayPro has the right to use selected works in promotional material, website features, social media posts, newsletters, and other communications.
• The judging criteria, including originality, relevance to the theme, writing quality, and overall impact.
• The rules for submission, including eligibility, format, and deadlines.

Important: By submitting your work, you automatically grant SayPro the right to feature your entry on various platforms.

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11. Submission Confirmation

After submitting your entry, you will receive a Confirmation Email confirming receipt of your submission. This email will include:

• A unique submission ID for tracking purposes.
• A summary of your submission details (title, category, file name).
• An expected timeline for when the judging process will occur and when winners will be announced.

If you do not receive this email within 24 hours of submission, please contact us at [insert email/contact info].

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12. Additional Guidelines

• Quality Standards: Submissions should be grammatically correct, well-organized, and free from spelling errors.
• Plagiarism: Submissions found to contain plagiarized content will be disqualified immediately. Ensure that all referenced materials are properly cited and credited.
• Content: The work should adhere to SayPro’s Code of Conduct and should not contain inappropriate language, defamatory content, or anything that could damage SayPro’s reputation.

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13. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about the submission process, please contact the competition organizers at:

• Email: [Insert contact email]
• Phone: [Insert contact phone number]

We encourage all participants to reach out if they need clarification on any of the competition rules, theme, or submission guidelines.

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14. Conclusion

By adhering to these submission guidelines, you help ensure that your entry is evaluated fairly and efficiently. Thank you for your participation in the SayPro Development Quarterly Writing and Journalism Competitions (SCDR.3.12). We look forward to seeing your creative and insightful contributions!

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End of Document

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This SayPro Submission Guidelines Template serves to provide clear, consistent instructions for participants in the competition, covering essential aspects like file formatting, word count limits, and submission processes. It ensures that all participants are aware of the rules and can submit their work accordingly.