The Judging Session for the Spring 2006 issue of Eye Contact will be held on Wednesday, March 1^st in room 206 Admin. We'll begin at 8:45 pm, and judge, judge, judge until we've judged them all.

If you're not sure how "blind judging" works, or have never been to an Eye Contact judging before, read on... (Click the link, or click "Continue Reading" below for more about blind judging.)

Blind judging means that no one's name is on the work. The artists/authors' names are removed from the pieces submitted, and are numbered or lettered (this is so the editors can match up the works with the names if they are chosen for publication).

Each piece -- art, poetry, and prose -- is judged FIVE times by FIVE different judges. The judging sheets are also labeled for the number/letter of the piece, again this is important to match up the information for the piece.

When you show up to a judging session, you should bring the following:
1) a writing utensil of choice
2) an open mind
3) your very best critical analysis skills (we don't distribute those at the session :-)

Before the session begins, the editors will probably ask that you "sign in." This is so that we will know who our judges are, so we can express our thanks by including your name in the magazine. (This is something you can brag about, and put on your CCT.)

In the room that the judging takes place, the pieces will be lined up on tables next to their five judging sheets. It's important that if you are judging piece "G" that the judging sheet you are marking also says "G" on it -- this goes for all pieces.

Once you finish judging a piece, put the judging sheet in the stack the editors designate, and grab another piece to judge. This process continues until all the pieces in the room have been judged five times. We will know that the pieces have been judged five times when all their judging sheets are gone.

A few "good ideas" and "bad ideas" when judging...
Good Idea: make comments on pieces that are particularly outstanding -- tell the editors why you think the piece should be published.

Bad Idea: circling more than one number for a category on a judging sheet. (We only take whole numbers, so scribbling 4.5 is also along the same lines as circling both 4 and 5.)

Good Idea: making sure you re-read any parts of a prose or poetry piece that are unclear the first time. If it is still unclear after you re-read it, tell us so in the "comments" section on the form.

Bad Idea: judging your own or your friends' works. This entirely blows the idea of "blind judging." If you KNOW a piece is yours or that a friend of yours submitted it--DO NOT JUDGE IT. Just don't.
Even if you wouldn't rate it well. Look for something that's unfamiliar instead.

Good Idea: bring friends to judge with you. We don't care what major they're pursuing. Not everyone that judges for Eye Contact is an Art or English major.

Bad Idea: talking during the judging session. A lot of people are trying to focus and analyze works -- just have courtesy and be as quiet as you can.

If you have any questions about blind judging or anything else pertaining to Eye Contact, email us!