Write Here, Right Now - journalism competition

WIN A JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP AND INTERNSHIP

Metro Herald, in association with the Faculty of Journalism at Independent Colleges, are looking for the most promising aspiring journalist in Dublin. This person need not have any previous journalism training or experience, but they must have a passion for journalism and a natural flair for writing. Metro Herald and Independent Colleges want to give Dublin’s best aspiring journalist an invaluable career head-start.

The Prize

A scholarship to a course of the winner’s choice at the Faculty of Journalism at Independent College Dublin in September/October 2010, subject to meeting the minimum entry requirements of that course. Journalism courses at Independent College Dublin are offered at Diploma, BA (Hons) and MA level. Also included: an internship with Metro Herald within the editorial department

The Challenge

Round One
Submit an article of 300-500 words in one of the following categories:
1. Local News: Do you know something we don’t? Write about it
2. Entertainment & Travel: write a review/preview of a gig, book, film, restaurant or any entertainment event of your choice OR write a short travel piece
3. Sports: write a match report, sports profile or opinion piece

What we’re looking for in your submission
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any previous experience or training; in round one, we’re looking for fresh, lively writing. Your article should be well-informed and show that you know your subject; it should be original and show some wit or personality; and last but most important, it should be written in clear, grammatically correct English.

What happens next?

Round Two
The judges will select a shortlist of FIVE entries in each category; the five short-listed people will be asked to meet the judges on either Tuesday 27th July or Wednesday 28th July at Metro Herald’s newsroom in Dublin for a short interview. If selected for the shortlists, you MUST be available to meet the judges on one of these two dates if you wish to progress in the competition.

Round Three
After the interviews, three finalists will be selected, one in each category; these finalists will then be given a journalistic assignment by Metro Herald editor Chris Cowley on Tuesday 2nd August. These will need to be submitted to the newspaper on August 13th 2010. Their articles will be published in Metro Herald during week-commencing August 16th. The winner will be announced on Tuesday August 24th.

Key dates

Round one closing date: June 30th 2010
Interviews for shortlisted competitors: July 27th & 28th 2010
Journalistic assignments submitted by the finalists: August 13th 2010
Publication of finalists’ work: August 16th 2010
Winner announced: August 24th 2010

How to Enter

Entries will be accepted by email or hard copy: Email entries should be sent to: metroheraldcomp@independentcolleges.ie. Postal entries should be sent to: Journalism Competition, Independent College Dublin, 60-63 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

Make sure to include the following information:
Your name
Your address
Your email address
Your telephone number
Your date of birth

The Rules

- Entrants may submit one entry only for the first round
- All entries must be original – plagiarism will automatically disqualify at any stage in the competition
- Entries must be typed
- Copyright for all entries belongs to Metro Herald
- Entrants will not receive payment for any publication of their work directly associated with the competition
- Entrants must be aged 17 or over on the closing date of round one
- Judges’ decisions are final and no correspondance will be entered into
- Finalists must participate in photocalls and other promotional activites as decided
- No cash alternatives available
- The winner must meet the minimum entry requirements for their chosen course at Independent College Dublin
- Prizes are non-transferrable

Any Questions?

Email metroheraldcomp@independentcolleges.ie

Click here for more information about Independent Colleges.