ClearMark Awards – Covid 19

Communicating clearly in times of crisis is critical and can save lives. That’s why we’ve added a COVID-19 category for this year’s annual ClearMark Awards. We are seeking entries that use plain language to help the reader understand COVID-19, identify symptoms, take specific steps to stay healthy, find access to resources, and more.

Winners will be announced at the ClearMark Award Ceremony at the Access for All Conference in October, 2020.

Entry Rules

Awards and Entry Categories

We welcome submissions in any written genre that were created specifically in response to COVID-19. Your entry may fall within any of the following nine ClearMark entry categories for Original Work. You can submit both Spanish or English documents.

The awards we will give for this COVID-19 Communications category are:

  • Category Winner (winner of the category)
  • Award of Distinction (finalists for the category)

You can submit COVID-19 Communication from any of these 19 categories:

Digital – Original Work

  • Apps and Microsites
  • Email and Newsletters
  • Websites

Print Only – Original Work

  • Letters/Print Correspondence
  • Posters, Charts, and Fliers

Print or Digital – Original Work

  • Brochures
  • Forms, Applications, and Statements
  • Infographics
  • Legal Documents
Rules for Entering
  • Your entry should have been released from January 1, 2020 – Present
  • It should be for a North American audience (or released by an American organization that created the asset for people outside the United States).
  • You may enter as many times as you would like.
  • Please submit two entries when you enter a bilingual document in both Spanish and English categories.
Submission Process

Prepare your submission:

  • Use our entry form worksheet to prepare your submission and get preapproval from your public relations or legal departments, if necessary.

How to submit your entry:

  1. Create an account. We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.  You’ll be able to start now and finish later if you need to.
  2. Complete the online nomination form. You’ll need to complete this form online.
  3. Pay a processing and handling fee. You can pay this fee with a credit card. If you don’t have a card and need an invoice, email us and we’ll help.
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Submission Fees

Members: $180
Non-Members: $230

Save on your entry fee with a membership for only $50/year!

Center for Plain Language Members get:

  • member rate on submissions and special events
  • information about international plain language standards
  • access to our new forthcoming job list.
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When to submit

Start: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
End: 11:59 p.m., July 24, 2020 

How to Submit

Watch the webinar for instructions and answers to FAQs.

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Need Help?

If you have questions about the awards, please email us at info@centerforplainlanguage.org  

If you’re having trouble using the submission form or logging in, please email support@submittable.com.