Write-Off Competition

• Submission Deadline: 3 p.m. Sept. 30
• Prompts Available: Sept. 2 (accessible only to MIPA member advisers)

2025 Write-Off Competition Information

MIPA is launching a new writing contest this fall featuring three categories. This contest is designed as a learning tool for journalism advisers and students to use early in the school year. Winners will be announced in mid-October. Students selected for recognition will receive a MIPA badge and an electronic, printable certificate.

Categories

To access the competition prompts, advisers must be logged into MIPA’s website and have an active MIPA membership for their program. Renew or Join

Human Interest Feature

Write a 400-word feature story using the reporting and background information provided in the competition prompt.

Sports News

Write a 400-word sports news story using the reporting and background information provided in the competition prompt.

Staff Editorial

Write a 400-word editorial, representing the position of a newspaper staff, about the situation described in the competition prompt.

Write-Off Rules

• Entries must be submitted by the contest deadline using the entry submission form.
• Cost: Free for 2025 MIPA member programs!
• This contest is only open to students who participate in MIPA member student media programs. Renew or Join
• Each entry must be the work of an individual student.
• Each program may submit 2 entries in each category. (We recommend advisers submit their best entry from an experienced staff member and their best entry from a first-year staff member.)
• Entries must be submitted to the entry form as a PDF. Entries that cannot be accessed by the judges will be disqualified.
  • Do NOT include the name of the student entrant or any other identifying information in the entry document.
• Entries should be submitted under the supervision of an adviser, who is responsible for verifying contest rules are followed and for paying any entry fees (if applicable).
• Entries may be published by MIPA in print, online or via social media.
• Entries that violate MIPA’s Copyright & Plagiarism Policy will be disqualified.
• The use of generative artificial intelligence is prohibited.
• Advisers are responsible for checking the authenticity of any entries submitted by their program to this contest.
  • Consistent with MIPA’s efforts to enhance student learning, foster honesty, and maintain integrity in journalism, reviewers may use services that scan entries for plagiarism or the use of AI. Such tools cannot determine with certainty whether plagiarism has occurred or AI has been used. Instead, reviewers must make a complete assessment and judge the originality of the submitted work.
• Winners will be recognized with a MIPA Badge and a printable digital award certificate.
  • Students must provide a non-school email on the entry form to which MIPA badges are issued. (Many school districts block MIPA and other outside users from contacting students via their school email.)

Entry Form

Are you ready to submit an entry for this contest?

Submit Your Entry

Judging Criteria

See writing prompts for rubrics.

Human Interest Feature

Judges are looking for the following when reading your feature story:

• Lead Engagement – An original, vivid lead that instantly draws in the reader and clearly sets up the story’s focus.
• Story Structure and Flow – Logical organization with smooth transitions, balanced pacing, and a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Use of Reporting – Effective use of the provided reporting, weaving in multiple quotes and details with accurate and proper attribution.
• AP Style – Consistent and correct AP Style throughout, free of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Headline – An original, compelling headline that accurately reflects the story’s content and tone.

Sports News

Judges are looking for the following when reading your news story:

• Lead Engagement – A strong, engaging lead that highlights the most important game or event outcome right away.
• News Story Structure – Clear organization in inverted pyramid format, with the most important information first, followed by supporting details, quotes, and background.
• Use of Reporting – Effective and accurate use of the provided reporting, incorporating key stats, scores, athlete/coach quotes, and relevant season context with proper attribution.
• AP Style – Consistent and correct AP Style throughout, free of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Headline – An original, informative headline that captures the spirit of the story and accurately reflects its content.

Staff Editorial

Judges are looking for the following when reading your editorial:

• Clear Stance & Persuasive Voice – Takes a clear, persuasive stance on the vaping/bathroom monitors issue using the collective “we” voice of the editorial board.
• Compelling Introduction & Context – Includes a strong introduction that clearly lays out the issue and incorporates key factual context effectively.
• Addressing Counterarguments – Thoughtfully addresses possible opposing views or concerns with respectful and reasoned rebuttals.
• AP Style & Mechanics – Consistent and correct AP Style throughout; free of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Headline – An original, engaging headline that reflects the editorial’s stance and content.