Bonsall Prize - Marcella and Joel Bonsall SURF Prize for Technical Writing
The SURF Final Report may serve as an entry for the Bonsall prize. The guidelines for Bonsall are the same as for the final report, click here. Bonsall submissions must be nominated by the mentor. Please download the SURF cover sheet for mentor nominations. Students should consider submitting to CURJ, particularly entertaining and well-written research essays.
About the donor
The late Marcella Bonsall, who had been a long-time member of the SURF Board and the Caltech Associates, established the Marcella and Joel Bonsall Prize for Technical Writing in 1998 as an incentive for students to write excellent technical papers. Students who develop good technical writing skills will benefit throughout their lives and careers.
Deadline
Bonsall Prize submissions must be submitted by the student's mentor into the
SFP online system by November 1, 2008.
Writing Specifications
Follow the SURF Final report writing requirements. Competitive entries follow these requirements closely to produce engaging, jargon-free research essays.
Format Specification
Papers must be 2000 to 2500 words. 1" margins on all sides and 12 pt.
Times New Roman, Times, or LaTeX required.
Judging of Papers
Mentors may recommend student's papers for the prize. It is appropriate, indeed encouraged, for mentors to help make the student's paper competitive by suggesting editorial changes to improve accuracy and clarity. The paper must be written by the student! Each paper will be reviewed by two faculty members within the student's field or in a related field. Prizes will be awarded on the basis of reviewers' recommendations.
Criteria for Reviewers
Paper is well organized; all parts of the paper are clearly and concisely written; terms are defined; the student has avoided use of jargon; paper is intelligible to readers in all disciplines.
Technical content of paper is accurate and clearly described. Student has demonstrated understanding of the ongoing work of the laboratory and how his/her SURF project relates to the research of the group.The student has discussed accurately and clearly the results of the project and the significance of the results. The student has followed the guidelines and outline for submissions.
Reviewer comments will be given to the author.
Mailing Address
Bonsall Prize, c/o SFP Office
Caltech, Mail Code 08-31
Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
