Wendy Sears, Webmistress
Assess Risk Web Award

In writing criteria for an award, the writer should be trying to convey those issues and elements that the evaluators will be looking for when evaluating a site. The greater the number of issues and elements, then naturally the longer the criteria is likely to be. And the more complicated those issues and elements, then the more detailed the criteria is likely to be.

In reality, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to criteria, but there are four guidelines which, if followed, will dictate the appropriate length and detail of the criteria:

Remember that at the end of the day, the golden words are brevity and precision. Be as brief as your precision will allow and you will have achieved the right length and detail for your criteria.

Uwe Bartzsch, Webmaster
Asder Award (program closed)

In my opinion, the criteria should be divided into "main criteria," "rejection criteria" and "special criteria." The first two groups should explain the conditions that must be met in order to apply for the award. For example, copyright and privacy requirements.

"Special criteria" should explain what is required to win the award. For instance, standards that must be met with respect to graphics, design, content, resolution and browser compatibility. These requirements may change from time to time to reflect current standards in the industry.

The text of the criteria should be simple and short. Otherwise, you run the risk that applicants will not read it. Avoid complicated criteria. Make it clear and easy to understand.

Use small headlines with one or two sentences to describe each section. Criteria that is relevant to selecting winners must not be omitted!! If personal taste is relevant, then you must include this in the criteria.

Jan Sopshier, Webmistress
Circus World Awards

There are really no set standards on criteria length or details. I'm a true believer in getting straight to the point, whether composing criteria or letting people know what's on my mind. Whenever I see an award program with page after page of detailed criteria, I'm saying to myself, "This award is impossible to win."

How many words does one need to use to write "Site must have an overall theme," which is simple and straight to the point? It leaves no doubt about what you are looking for. Now, let's take the "overall theme" concept and make it absurdly long and detailed, just to confuse everyone.

Getting applicants to read your criteria, whether long and detailed or straight to the point, can be tricky. I honestly believe longer and more detailed criteria will be ignored unless the applicants sincerely believe they have a chance of winning your award.

Geetha Thirunakkarasu, Webmistress
Geetha's Web Design Awards (program closed)

Criteria should be simple and short for those who are in hurry. It should also be explained in detail for serious applicants who want to understand the purpose and requirements of an award before they submit their sites. Criteria should be written in such a way that it suits both types of award seekers.

Criteria pages shouldn't be very long. The criteria can be listed as points for easy reading, with links to further details. Applicants will get an idea of the requirements by reading your listed points, and those who need further explanations can follow the links.

Criteria can also be divided into various categories to make it visually pleasing and easier to understand. The objective is to encourage applicants to read the criteria by making it short, clear and concise.

Loren Sebastian, Webmistress
Cerulean Award Program

Criteria is the heart of an award program. The essence of criteria is content. The content should be written in simple words, and it should not confuse those who wish to apply for the award.

Some people stretch the criteria to make 5-8 pages. They are less concerned about content and just want to fill up space. Others compress the criteria into 4-5 pages and provide more meaningful content. They are more concerned about substance.

In both cases, the authors are providing information for people who want to apply for their awards. Those who have been applying for and giving awards for 2-3 years are good examples for newcomers because of their experience. They know how to write meaningful criteria and how to present it.

Understanding the criteria should be the number one priority for anyone who applies for an award. Once in a while I receive an email asking "Is it necessary to read those hundreds of lines of criteria over and over again?" As an evaluator, I think part of the problem is that there are too many award programs around today. After a while, people stop reading the criteria because it all starts to look the same.

I try to explain to them that each set of criteria is different, but for some reason they fail to see this. For us who put all the hard work and effort into writing the criteria, all the points are important and should be read and understood by the applicants before they apply for our awards.

Criteria, short or detailed, must consist of simple and clear content. It must be carefully written to include all the requirements for the award. We must use the right points and concepts to describe them in a way that can be easily understood.