ARTICLE GUIDELINES
These guidelines are in place to aid you with the type of content that we like. The only rules that you must follow are the General Rules.
General Rules
Hard Rules. We reject all content not following these general guidelines.
- Use proper/ official names (i.e. Obamacare is officially called the Affordable Care Act; avoid terms coined by either political party)
- No filler content. Stay on point. If you need more words, add another section to your article.
- We do not accept inappropriate or negative content. This includes, but is not limited to:
- infringes upon copyrights, trademarks or intellectual property rights
- is libelous or defamatory
- is obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit
- contains or advocates illegal or violent acts
- degrades others or is predatory, hateful, or intended to intimidate or harass
- misrepresents your identity or affiliation or impersonates others
Web Article
- Minimum 500 words (500-2500 words)
- A web article introduces an idea, explores the subject, and draws a conclusion.
- Use creative descriptors and imagery throughout without being too cliche.
- The introduction should set a mood and place the reader into the article.
- Use simple English, we want the Average Joe to understand the article without picking up a dictionary.
Web Article Structure
HEADLINE: Needs to grab the reader's attention and highlight the subject of the story.
SUB-HEADLINE: Tells more about the Headline and works as the Introduction Section Title.
INTRODUCTION: Overview who, what, where, when, and/ or how. Needs to clearly state the goal of the article and the conclusion you expect to reach. Explain the topic and back story.
SECTION 1 HEADLINE: Short title for the section
SECTION 1: Example.
SECTION 2 HEADLINE: Short title for the section
SECTION 2: Example.
SECTION 3 HEADLINE: Short title for the section
SECTION 3: Example.
CONCLUSION HEADLINE: Short title for the section
CONCLUSION: The conclusion is not the summary of the article. It is a part that opens a door, makes an evaluation, leaves the reader to ponder the story and seek their own answers, and shows your contribution to the world of ideas.
IMAGES: No text on images.
Image Essay
We accept photo essays.
- Minimum 5 Images
- Minimum 2 sentence captions
- An image essay explores a subject through images and captions.
- Use creative descriptors and imagery throughout without being too cliche.
- Use simple English, we want the Average Joe to understand the article without picking up a dictionary.
Image Essay Structure
HEADLINE: Needs to grab the reader's attention and highlight the subject of the story.
IMAGE 1: Caption
IMAGE 2: Caption
IMAGE 3: Caption
IMAGE 4: Caption
IMAGE 5+: Caption
ARTICLE (Optional): What do you have to say about the video? Why is this video interesting to someone that lives in a small town?
RESOURCES (Optional): Links to the source's website, subject's website or social media, or another place the viewer can learn more.
IMAGES: No text on images.
Video Article
Is there a positive video that needs to be shared? Have commentary on a documentary? Want to recommend a movie?
- Minimum 250 words (250-2500 words)
- A video article introduces an idea with a video, then explores the subject in an article.
- Use creative descriptors and imagery throughout without being too cliche.
- The introduction should set a mood and place the reader into the article.
- Use simple English, we want the Average Joe to understand the article without picking up a dictionary.
Video Article Structure
HEADLINE: Don’t use the name of the video. Needs to grab the reader's attention and highlight the subject of the story.
INTRODUCTION: 4-5 sentences for the video introduction.
VIDEO: YouTube or Vimeo link. For commercial
ARTICLE: What do you have to say about the video? Why is this video interesting to someone that lives in a small town?
RESOURCES: Links to the source's website, subject's website or social media, or another place the viewer can learn more.
IMAGES: No text on images.