How to Word an Award Plaque

Award plaques are given to people and groups for excellence including coaching a sporting team, customer appreciation, service, or employment related achievement.  It is important to illustrate in words the achievement earned and why the award was rewarded to the recipient.

• Reflect on the type of plaque that is suitable for the award occasion.  This will help you to determine how many words are available for the plaque.  Most companies that make and engrave plaques will give you a word count, or a letter character count that outlines the available size and letters available for the specific design.


• Consider the tone of the words on the plaque.  Many plaques have words already displayed in the headlines and all the writer has to do is give the plaque company is the name of the recipient and the date of the award.  Other plaques are blank which give you greater flexibility.


• Open your word processing software and type a couple of ideas.  The word counting program in the processor will show you how many words you have used.  This will help you gain an idea of the amount of words available to you.  You can also use the different fonts and scripts available to get an idea of the way the letters may look on the award.


• Choose words that directly reflect the type and emotion you wish to portray.  A service award for working at a company for a specific amount of time could simply say: “SERVICE AWARD” at the top.  On the next line write, “Presented to” in italics, and the following line can include the name of the recipient.  After this, write “In Appreciation for 20 Years of Loyal Service.”