Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-07
ONLY A FEW LINES.
Many People Accept the Chance Offered
Of Winning the Stars Prizes.

The chance OF winning Sl00 by writing six
newspaper paragraphs is one not to be care
iessiy thrown aside That many people hold
this opinion is shown by the number of re-
sponses already received to The STARS invita-
ton to its readers to compete for the three
prizes, each to be won by writing six para
graphs or brief articles, not to exceed $50
words each, setting forth the facts that make
The STAR by far the besi advertising medium
in Washington. To the author of the best set
OF six articles the first prize of s1O0 will be
awarded, to the writer of the set coming next
the second prize of $50, and to third in merit
S25. Many packages of manuscript containing
the results of the work of contestants have been
received at The STAR office and are held ready
to be turned over to the judges at the end of
the contest The offer of the prizes seems to
have produced season of much literary
activity Pencils and wits have been sbarpened
and heads scratched in the effort to discover
Just the best. briefest and most taking SEN
tences. The contest is novel and the results will
be interesting. Prizes have been offered be-
lore Tor literary productions, in which there
was no limit as to space that would hinder the
flight OF soaring genius. In this contest, how
ever. brevitv is demanded. The writer has to
state what he has to say on each topic treated
within the limit Of $50 words, and on his skill
IN doing SO and in presenting the facts forcibly
and In a readable, catchy way will depend his
chance Of winning one of the prizes The work
to be done is so different from that usual in
literary contests that the literary worker has
no advantage over others. II there is an ad-
vantage IL probably lies with men of business
and others who are accustomed to writing
briefly and succinctiy what they have to saw
rather than with professional writer's who have
cultivated an ornamental style. As the field is
quite new persons whose ineXperience makes
them modest can enter the contest without the
discouraging feeling that some practIced per-
sons are sure to win the prizes.
The purpose of Offering these prizes is to
encourage the writing of short crisp and
bright advertising announcements. The
awards will be made by a committee of busi-
ness men, who have had large experience as
advertisers and know the value of terse and
catchy announcements. This committee is
composed of Messrs. Isadore Saks, =. W. Wood
ward, Washington Danenhower and A. Lisner
The contest, which is open to all residents of
Washington or any of the suburbs of Washing
ton. will be closed June 20. after which date no
contributions will be received
The general subject selected the value of
The STAR as an advertising medium, was
chosen because 1t Is suggestive and is one
about which the readers of The STAR
already know great deal. The conditions of
the contest are set forth in full in an announce
ment printed elsewhere, which should be care
fully read by all who purpose to enter. Each
contestant, II will be seen, must submit six
brief articles not exceeding $50 words each.
Six points or statements of facts are given OH
which the paragraphs must be based. Each
article may contain one or more OF these sug-
gestions, and they may be combined in any
manner contestant may elect, provided ali
the points are comprehended in the SIX articles
Ihe SIX points given are, IN brief, ID, the
average circulation Of The STAR is more than
treble that OF any other Washington news
paper; (2), the, unexampled fullness of The
h0ma 4 th.. ohaa, ~
advertising in The STAR when the extent and
character OF its circulation are considered; (4).
the fact that advertisements running three
months cost less than one-seventh of a cent
per line for each thousand papers; go, the pub
LEFTY given, by sworn statements and other
wise, to all facts concerning The SrAns cir
cuiation, and (6), the recognized fact that The
STAR is the great Want" medium of the city,
10 indicate as clearly possible what is re-
CURED of contestants the following is given as
specimen. paragraph, based on the first point
or suggestion: