Awarded to one entry per competition. Chosen from among Distinguished award recipients.

• Is the best of the best (chosen from among Distinguished entries).
• Approaches the "ideal" technical publication.
• Sets the standard.
• Provides a practically perfect integration of elements.
• Superior in all areas, incorporating all the principles of good writing and design.
• Exactly meets the audiences' needs.
• Shows innovation.
• Entry is eligible to continue to the international competition level.

• Clearly superior in all areas.
• Entry contains no major and few, if any, minor flaws.
• Entry shows outstanding application of good technical communications principles.
• Anticipates and fulfills the needs of its audience.
• Approaches the "ideal."
• Comments are confined to taste and style.
• Entry is eligible to continue to the international competition level.
• Entry is eligible to continue to the international competition level.

• Consistently meets high standards in all areas.
• Clearly (if slightly imperfectly) displays exceptional understanding of good technical communications principles.
• Meets the audience's needs.
• Entry might contain a single major flaw or a few minor flaws.
• Comments are confined to taste and style, and minor suggestions.

• Consistently meets high standards in most areas.
• Displays good understanding of technical communications principles.
• Shows above-average proficiency.
• Meets the audience's needs.
• Entry might contain a small number of major flaws (1-2) or several minor flaws.