Built by Words:
Technical Writing Awards
Celebrate the unsung heroes of technical communication at the inaugural "Built by Words" conference. Our awards recognize outstanding technical writers who have elevated the craft of documentation through clarity, user empowerment, and creative storytelling. Submit your work or nominate others for the opportunity to be recognized by a global audience of industry leaders and peers.
Built by Words:
Technical Writing Awards

At Built by Words, we believe that technical communication is an art that bridges complex ideas and human understanding. It’s about more than just conveying accurate information—it’s about clarity, empathy, and empowering users.

For our inaugural conference, we are proud to present the Built by Words Technical Writing Awards. These awards celebrate groundbreaking technical writing that elevates the impact of documentation on technology, users, and communities.

We invite you to submit your work—or nominate someone else’s work—that truly stands out and

pushes the boundaries of what technical documentation can achieve.

Our Inaugural Award Categories

We’ve narrowed down our awards to three key categories that highlight the different facets of

exceptional technical communication:

1.Clarity Catalyst Award
This award recognizes outstanding technical writing that simplifies complex concepts into clear, accessible language. It honors those who can turn challenging material into something easy to understand without losing essential details.

  Qualifications:

  • Mastery in simplifying complex topics (e.g., APIs, software architectures, scientific principles).
  • Evidence of increased user comprehension (e.g., reduced support inquiries, positive feedback, improved user understanding).
  • A writing style that is concise, elegant, and free from unnecessary jargon.

2. User Empowerment Award

This award honors documentation that doesn’t just inform, but actively empowers users to achieve success. It celebrates content that helps users become independent problem-solvers, fostering confidence and self-sufficiency.

 

Qualifications:

  • Actionable, task-based content that helps users take specific actions or troubleshoot issues.
  • Measurable improvements in user success (e.g., increased adoption, reduced errors, higher user satisfaction).
  • Focus on resolving user challenges through clear, efficient solutions.

3. Narrative Architect Award

This award recognizes creative, engaging technical writing that uses storytelling and innovative structural approaches to transform dry information into compelling, memorable content.

Qualifications:

  • Use of storytelling techniques or relatable examples to make technical information more engaging.
  • Creative structure and flow that improves user understanding (e.g., guided tutorials, interactive guides).
  • Evidence that the narrative enhances retention and learning outcomes.
Why These Awards?

At Built by Words, we know that technical writing is constantly evolving. These awards aim to:

  • Elevate the Craft: Celebrate the artistry and strategic importance of technical communication.
  • Inspire Innovation: Encourage writers to explore new methods, formats, and approaches.
  • Highlight Impact: Focus on the tangible benefits that exceptional documentation brings to users and organizations.
Submission Guidelines

Ready to showcase your impactful work? Please review the guidelines below before submitting your project:

Eligibility:

  • Open to individuals and teams.
  • Work must have been published or updated in the last 18 months (January 2024 onwards).
  • Submissions can include online documentation, tutorials, knowledge bases, videos, etc.
  • Multiple submissions per person are allowed, but each entry must be tailored to a specific award category.

What to Include in Your Submission:

1. Project Overview

  • A concise summary of the project, its purpose, and target audience.
  • State the category you’re submitting for.
  • Explain why the project exemplifies the award’s qualifications.

  1. Access to the Work:

    • Provide a direct URL or access instructions for your documentation. For private

      materials, include temporary access credentials or a video walk through.

  1. Impact & Evidence

    • Provide quantitative data (e.g., user engagement, support ticket reduction) and/or

      qualitative feedback (e.g., testimonials, case studies) demonstrating your work’s impact.

  1. Team & Role

    • Describe the team involved and your specific contribution.

Submission Process:

  • Portal: All submissions must be made through our official submission portal, opening on [Date].

  • Deadline: Submissions close on [Date], [Time Zone]. No late submissions will be accepted.

  • Judging: Entries will be reviewed by an independent panel of industry leaders.

  • Notification: Finalists will be notified by [Date]. Winners will be announced live at the Built by Words conference.