I don't know about you, but Brian and I are not all that fond of reading computer screens. Those pixels give you a nasty headache after awhile. Right away we knew we’d be printing hard copies of contest entries in order to evaluate them.
The original plan was for Brian to print entries, hole-punch them, and score them as they came in, but that was cutting into his writing time and energy in a big way. It wasn’t as bad as teaching a writing class and grading papers, but it was too close for his taste. Then too, we were concerned that the order in which entries came in could’ve prejudiced the judging (we are human after all), when really that should be irrelevant.
So early on we simplified and came up with our current modus operandi. We print entries as they arrive and put them in a file. I record the email address in my brown book, keeping a running tally of the number of entries received. Then I type the address into my Word file, provided it isn’t already there from a previous submission. I used to use a distribution list, but apparently my software isn’t designed for such volume and it got very slow and clunky.
More details on the judging criteria on Monday. The point is, we do print out entries, but we never hang onto them. Soon after they are safely printed out, we delete the electronic entry. After the final judging, all paper entries are fed to this scary industrial-sized shredder. Don’t worry; they never even see the blades coming.
The original plan was for Brian to print entries, hole-punch them, and score them as they came in, but that was cutting into his writing time and energy in a big way. It wasn’t as bad as teaching a writing class and grading papers, but it was too close for his taste. Then too, we were concerned that the order in which entries came in could’ve prejudiced the judging (we are human after all), when really that should be irrelevant.
So early on we simplified and came up with our current modus operandi. We print entries as they arrive and put them in a file. I record the email address in my brown book, keeping a running tally of the number of entries received. Then I type the address into my Word file, provided it isn’t already there from a previous submission. I used to use a distribution list, but apparently my software isn’t designed for such volume and it got very slow and clunky.
More details on the judging criteria on Monday. The point is, we do print out entries, but we never hang onto them. Soon after they are safely printed out, we delete the electronic entry. After the final judging, all paper entries are fed to this scary industrial-sized shredder. Don’t worry; they never even see the blades coming.
We do this as a safeguard against any sort of plagiarism. Rest assured, your writing isn’t floating around, vulnerable to idea thieves. Our copy gets destroyed and recycled. Who knows? Maybe some microscopic shreds of your entry will be in the next box of recycled paper you buy.
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