The University Interscholastic League (UIL) offers a series of journalism contests designed to challenge and inspire students in the areas of writing, reporting, and media production. These competitions give students the chance to hone their journalism skills, think critically, and produce work under real-world deadlines. Whether you have an interest in news writing, opinion pieces, creative feature stories, or even headline writing, UIL journalism contests are an excellent way to explore your talents and gain recognition for your hard work.

Participating in these contests will help you:

• Develop your writing and editing skills.
• Learn how to communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
• Gain experience working in the fast-paced world of journalism.
• Compete for awards and recognition, which can boost your college applications and career prospects.

Explore the sections below to learn more about the specific UIL journalism contests available to you and how you can get involved!

News Writing Contest

The News Writing Contest is all about reporting facts clearly, concisely, and accurately under tight deadlines. In this competition, students are given a news scenario and tasked with writing a news story that follows the traditional inverted pyramid style. The goal is to deliver the most important information first, while keeping the writing clear, engaging, and objective.

Participants will:

• Learn to prioritize information: Focus on delivering the most critical facts upfront in your lead.
• Practice AP Style: Write according to the guidelines of Associated Press (AP) Style, the standard for professional journalism.
• Develop concise writing: Eliminate unnecessary details and ensure your writing is sharp and to the point.
• Handle direct and indirect quotes: Incorporate quotes from key sources while maintaining a balanced and unbiased tone.

Why Compete?

• Gain real-world experience in reporting and journalism.
• Build skills in research, fact-checking, and presenting information under time constraints.
• Develop your ability to create structured, well-organized stories that engage readers.

Whether you’re new to journalism or already have a passion for reporting, the News Writing Contest is a great way to practice your skills and compete at a high level.

Editorial Writing Contest

The Editorial Writing Contest challenges students to express their opinions persuasively while supporting their arguments with clear reasoning and evidence. In this contest, you’ll be given a prompt or situation that affects the public and asked to write an editorial that takes a stance on the issue. Your goal is to persuade readers of your viewpoint using logical structure, strong arguments, and compelling language.

Participants will:

• Take a clear stance: Make a strong, well-defined argument on the given topic.
• Use persuasive techniques: Learn how to appeal to readers’ logic and emotions while supporting your opinions with solid facts.
• Structure your argument: Organize your editorial with a strong introduction, clear body points, and a powerful conclusion.
• Write with a distinct voice: Develop your own style while staying professional, balanced, and respectful of differing opinions.

Why Compete?

• Develop critical thinking and argumentation skills.
• Learn how to analyze complex issues and communicate your ideas effectively.
• Improve your ability to write persuasively under time constraints.
• Gain experience in shaping public opinion, which is a key aspect of professional journalism.

The Editorial Writing Contest is ideal for students who enjoy debating ideas, forming opinions, and advocating for change through the power of writing.

Feature Writing Contest

The Feature Writing Contest allows students to focus on creative storytelling, with an emphasis on human interest. In this competition, you’ll be asked to write a compelling, descriptive story that captures the reader’s attention and often highlights the people, emotions, and personal experiences behind the news. Unlike news stories, feature writing gives you more freedom to use narrative techniques, vivid descriptions, and in-depth character exploration.

Participants will:

• Tell a story: Use storytelling techniques to create engaging, informative, and emotionally resonant narratives.
• Focus on people and experiences: Write about individuals and the personal side of events, highlighting what makes the story relatable and interesting.
• Incorporate descriptive details: Paint vivid pictures with words, using sensory details and creative language to bring the story to life.
• Maintain journalistic standards: Even in creative writing, stick to the facts and ensure your story is accurate and well-researched.

Why Compete?

• Hone your ability to write engaging and creative stories that go beyond just the facts.
• Develop skills in interviewing, observation, and descriptive writing.
• Learn how to write in a style that combines journalism with narrative storytelling.
• Gain experience in writing stories that resonate emotionally with readers, a valuable skill in any form of writing.

The Feature Writing Contest is perfect for students who enjoy writing creatively, telling human-interest stories, and exploring the emotional side of journalism.

Headline Writing Contest

The Headline Writing Contest tests your ability to summarize stories creatively and concisely. In this competition, you’ll be given a selection of news stories, and your task will be to craft attention-grabbing headlines that are both informative and engaging. Headlines must capture the essence of the story in just a few words, making it crucial to balance brevity, clarity, and creativity.

Participants will:

• Summarize effectively: Learn how to convey the key points of a news story in just a few impactful words.
• Capture attention: Write headlines that not only inform but also intrigue and encourage readers to dive into the story.
• Be creative yet concise: Master the art of creativity within the constraints of journalistic standards and limited space.
• Follow headline-writing conventions: Practice writing headlines that adhere to the tone, style, and format expected in professional journalism.

Why Compete?

• Develop essential skills in summarization and creative word choice.
• Learn how to make your writing stand out with just a few words.
• Practice thinking like a professional editor, deciding what parts of a story are most important to highlight.
• Gain experience in a critical aspect of journalism that is often overlooked but essential to a news publication’s success.

The Headline Writing Contest is perfect for students who love wordplay, creativity, and the challenge of capturing a story’s essence in a few short words.

Ready to Compete?

With four exciting UIL journalism contests to choose from, there’s something for everyone, whether you prefer reporting hard facts, crafting persuasive arguments, telling human-interest stories, or mastering the art of headlines. Each contest provides a unique opportunity to develop essential skills that will benefit you both academically and professionally.

Explore the contests, find the one that excites you, and get ready to show off your journalistic talents!