We invite our member schools to submit yearbooks, newspapers, literary magazines, online news or literary websites, and broadcast packages for thorough, comprehensive critiques.
Submissions are due September 30, 2023
We encourage you to read through the frequently asked questions below before beginning your submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a critique, and how do I request one?
A publication critique is an evaluation of a publication's quality based upon a rubric. Critiques are completed by experts from across the country. Those interested in receiving a critique must complete and submit a form along with their publication.
In addition to receiving comprehensive feedback from experts, your submitted publication(s) automatically become part of a statewide contest. In the first level of scoring, your submitted publication may receive a scorebook with a bronze, silver, or gold mark. All publications earning an overall GOLD AWARD will be sent to a new judge where your publication will compete against other GOLD AWARD publications to determine which GOLD AWARD publications will receive the Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award.
A publication critique is an evaluation of a publication's quality based upon a rubric. Critiques are completed by experts from across the country. Those interested in receiving a critique must complete and submit a form along with their publication.
In addition to receiving comprehensive feedback from experts, your submitted publication(s) automatically become part of a statewide contest. In the first level of scoring, your submitted publication may receive a scorebook with a bronze, silver, or gold mark. All publications earning an overall GOLD AWARD will be sent to a new judge where your publication will compete against other GOLD AWARD publications to determine which GOLD AWARD publications will receive the Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award.
What do I need to submit for critiques?
For all submissions, start with the forms linked above.
Print Newspapers / News Magazines: Complete the linked form above, and via the form submit two digital uploads of the print publication in PDF format. Submit one issue from the first and one from the second semester.
Print Literary Magazines: Complete the linked form above, through which you will submit a link to a digital copy of your literary magazine. If your publication is stored in Google Drive, please make sure the file is shared with "anyone with the link" prior to submission.
Print Yearbooks: Complete the linked form above, then mail one copy of your yearbook to PSPA Yearbook Critique, c/o Jonathan Bickel, 118 N. Railroad St. Myerstown, PA 17067. All books must be postmarked by Sept. 30 for Keystone Consideration.
Online Publications: Complete the linked form above, then share the link to your publication via the form. Links must be active at the time of judging. Both online news publications and online literary magazines may be considered for this category.
Broadcast Packages: Complete the linked form above, then share a link to an unlisted YouTube video, Vimeo video, or Google Drive file. If you opt to share your broadcast package using Google Drive, test your settings to ensure that people outside of your domain will have access to the link. Have someone outside of your school's Google domain see if they an open the link from their regular Gmail account. If they cannot view the link, you need to change your link's share settings.
For all submissions, start with the forms linked above.
Print Newspapers / News Magazines: Complete the linked form above, and via the form submit two digital uploads of the print publication in PDF format. Submit one issue from the first and one from the second semester.
Print Literary Magazines: Complete the linked form above, through which you will submit a link to a digital copy of your literary magazine. If your publication is stored in Google Drive, please make sure the file is shared with "anyone with the link" prior to submission.
Print Yearbooks: Complete the linked form above, then mail one copy of your yearbook to PSPA Yearbook Critique, c/o Jonathan Bickel, 118 N. Railroad St. Myerstown, PA 17067. All books must be postmarked by Sept. 30 for Keystone Consideration.
Online Publications: Complete the linked form above, then share the link to your publication via the form. Links must be active at the time of judging. Both online news publications and online literary magazines may be considered for this category.
Broadcast Packages: Complete the linked form above, then share a link to an unlisted YouTube video, Vimeo video, or Google Drive file. If you opt to share your broadcast package using Google Drive, test your settings to ensure that people outside of your domain will have access to the link. Have someone outside of your school's Google domain see if they an open the link from their regular Gmail account. If they cannot view the link, you need to change your link's share settings.
When should publications be submitted for a Critique Contest?
Critiques should be submitted before the published deadline to be eligible for the statewide contest. Publications submitted after the deadline may still be critiqued but will not be eligible for Keystone Award judging.
Critiques should be submitted before the published deadline to be eligible for the statewide contest. Publications submitted after the deadline may still be critiqued but will not be eligible for Keystone Award judging.
How much do critiques cost?
Each critique is $60.
Critiques are not a fundraiser for PSPA. We pay our professional judges and handle mailings and all the turnaround on getting the feedback to you. We're an all-volunteer organization and keep the cost as low as possible--much lower than what we've researched at other state and national organizations.
If you cannot pay for your critique before the posted deadline, you can still submit a critique request. Please submit your critique requests before the posted deadline, then submit payment when you have returned to school and/or the new fiscal year begins. We will invoice critique fees that are not paid by credit card when you submit a publication for critique.
Completed critiques or results will be issued after your critique fee has been paid.
Each critique is $60.
Critiques are not a fundraiser for PSPA. We pay our professional judges and handle mailings and all the turnaround on getting the feedback to you. We're an all-volunteer organization and keep the cost as low as possible--much lower than what we've researched at other state and national organizations.
If you cannot pay for your critique before the posted deadline, you can still submit a critique request. Please submit your critique requests before the posted deadline, then submit payment when you have returned to school and/or the new fiscal year begins. We will invoice critique fees that are not paid by credit card when you submit a publication for critique.
Completed critiques or results will be issued after your critique fee has been paid.
How are critiques scored?
Our critique service relies on our rubrics. Our judges mark whether an item is gold, silver, or bronze and provide substantial written feedback based on the rubric criteria. Your publication does not compete against other publications and is evaluated only by the published scorebook. We provide three levels of awards as explained below.
All publications earning an overall GOLD AWARD will be sent to a different judge where your publication will compete against other GOLD AWARD publications to determine which will receive the Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award.
Item/Category Ratings
Overall Ratings
Our critique service relies on our rubrics. Our judges mark whether an item is gold, silver, or bronze and provide substantial written feedback based on the rubric criteria. Your publication does not compete against other publications and is evaluated only by the published scorebook. We provide three levels of awards as explained below.
All publications earning an overall GOLD AWARD will be sent to a different judge where your publication will compete against other GOLD AWARD publications to determine which will receive the Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award.
Item/Category Ratings
- GOLD MARK - Earning a gold mark for an item means your publication has achieved at a level that is ABOVE STANDARD for that individual item or category as published in the scorebook.
- SILVER MARK - Earning a silver mark for an item means your publication has achieved at a level that is AT STANDARD for that individual item or category as published in the scorebook.
- BRONZE MARK - Earning a bronze mark for an item means your publication has achieved at a level that is BELOW STANDARD for that individual item or category as published in the scorebook.
Overall Ratings
- GOLD AWARD: publication consistently exceeds journalistic standards in content, writing, design, and photography. The publication need not be perfect or represent state-of-the-art trends, but it must exemplify high ideals of scholastic journalism. This publication is considered ABOVE STANDARD in most categories in the scorebook.
- SILVER AWARD: publication consistently shows proficient understanding of the basic principles of journalism, but needs improvement to reach overall excellence. The publication may not have a distinct “personality,” or it may need to address a few problems. This publication is considered AT STANDARD in most categories in the scorebook.
- BRONZE AWARD: A BRONZE AWARD indicates an incomplete or inconsistent mastery of several journalistic concepts. Bronze publications may show BELOW STANDARD levels in multiple categories.
Missed the critique submission deadline for this year?
Please keep the summer deadline in mind for next year. The critique contest and Keystone Award program is a great way for your students to get recognition for their programs. Preparing your submission for the critique contest can be a goal to work toward during your school year.
We may be able to critique late submissions, but any publications received after the posted deadline will not be eligible for Keystone consideration.
Please keep the summer deadline in mind for next year. The critique contest and Keystone Award program is a great way for your students to get recognition for their programs. Preparing your submission for the critique contest can be a goal to work toward during your school year.
We may be able to critique late submissions, but any publications received after the posted deadline will not be eligible for Keystone consideration.
When will I receive my publication critique?
Once judging is complete, feedback will be made available upon receipt of critique payment.
Once judging is complete, feedback will be made available upon receipt of critique payment.
