Persuasive Writing

This award is presented to the best example of persuasive writing, such as news release, blog, feature story, etc. 

This is awarded one per each region and among those, an international winner is selected.

Each agency may submit only ONE entry.

Criteria for selection:

  • Content 
  • Clarity
  • Engagement
  • Effectiveness


2026 Winners

International and Region 3

Minnesota State Patrol

Don't Do It: When Distracted Driving Turns Deadly2026 - Persuasive Writing - Region 3 - Minnesota

This tragic article takes the reader through the path that one driver took that cost another person their life. It was designed to give the reader a true understanding of how looking down at their phone for a short time and moving their attention from the road to a phone ended up in a crash, a death, and jail time.

This article was written for the Department of Public Safety’s “Safety Matters” blog. The intention was purely to remind drivers to pay attention while driving so this doesn’t happen to them.




Region 1

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles 

Get Mobile ID Before You Go Out for a Guinness2026 - Persuasive Writing - Region 1 - New York 

This press release sought to capitalize on the St. Patrick’s Day holiday by encouraging New Yorkers to get a free, secure Mobile ID.

At that point in time, more than 200,000 New Yorkers had downloaded the free app since its launch the previous June.

The press release used humor to make a serious argument about how a New York Mobile ID offers secure identification that benefits both bar and restaurant customers and owners. It followed a decision by the State Liquor Authority to support New York’s Mobile ID as an approved form of identification.

The press release highlighted that people can control what information they share using the Mobile App. It also explained the benefits to business owners and the reduction of risk that a person was using a fake ID when trying to purchase alcoholic beverages.

It received media coverage in both print and on television. The press release also was promoted with a limerick on DMV’s social media to increase awareness, again using humor and the holiday to encourage New Yorkers to download the free Mobile ID.


Region 2

Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles

REAL ID Ready2026 - Persuasive Writing - Region 2 - Louisiana   

On February 7, 2025, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) sent out a press release to inform the Louisiana news media and Louisiana residents that the REAL ID deadline was just three months away.

The press release explained that residents would be required to have a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative to fly domestically or enter federal facilities on May 7, 2025. It also urged Louisiana residents to take action so they would not miss their flights or be denied entry to federal facilities.

The press release was picked up by six media outlets across the state of Louisiana, which posted web stories about it.

By May 2, 2025, more than 1.2 million Louisiana residents had obtained a REAL ID. In April 2025 alone, OMV field offices and Public Tag Agents (PTAs) across the state processed more than 97,000 REAL ID applications.




Region 4

Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division

Freedom to Fly this 4th of July Blog2026 - Persuasive Writing - Region 4 - Arizona 

ADOT’s blog platform is a fun and convenient way for Arizonans to learn more about important motor vehicle and transportation topics on their computer or smartphone. The Freedom to Fly blog was key in continuing to promote the new federal requirements for airline travel.

In an effort to remind Arizonans of the new REAL ID requirements at airports, ADOT MVD wrote a timely blog for summer travel just prior to the Fourth of July holiday. “The Arizona Travel ID Means Freedom to Fly This 4th of July” blog provided people with information on how to update their credentials for the new standards when flying domestically, while also incorporating some of the great locations people can use their new REAL IDs to visit to celebrate this national holiday.

Just a few months after REAL ID enforcement had begun, demand for REAL IDs in Arizona remained high:

July was the third busiest month for Arizona Travel ID requests, trailing only April and May, with nearly 112,000 Travel ID credentials issued.