Language and style guide for contributions

Topic and content

  • We welcome different kinds of formats: reports, background analyses, editorials, data analyses, portraits, interviews, photo essays and reviews of films/books/music. In case of doubt, feel free to contact us. 
  • Choose a topic according to one section: Politics, Society, Arts&Culture, Economics.
    Only the 5 Board Members will write for the News Section for the time being.
  • Make sure the “research puzzle” and main messages of your article come through.
  • Re-Use of LU papers: professors should be asked for permission.

Length and sections

  • Total Length: approximately 750-1250 words.
    • In case of editorials, the text can be longer but shall not exceed 2000 words.
  • Abstract/Teaser: mandatory, max. 70 words. 
  • Heading: mandatory. 
  • Subheading: voluntary, but preferred. 
  • The remaining words are for main body and conclusion.
  • Try to keep the sentences short, simple, and phrase them as appealingly as possible.
    It should not be written in an academic style.
  • The writer is in charge of deciding the number of paragraphs, but the article must include introduction, main body, and conclusion. Try to make the transition from one paragraph to another as coherent and smooth as possible.
  • Highlight key words, by putting them in bold.

Tonality and Language

  • The author is asked to remain neutral, objective and approach topics from multiple angles. Own opinions can surely be included, but it is recommended to avoid using the first-person, and any other explicit structures suggesting personal views, for example “I think/believe that…”. Exception: An 'Author's note' an the end of the article. 
  • Engaging, lively but professional language (newspaper style).
  • All varieties of English are allowed, but the chosen style has to be maintained throughout the article.

Citing and Referencing

  • Please use in-text citation in the form of hyperlinks (hypercitation):
    • Refer to your sources by formatting hyperlinks directly into the text. We suggest you to hyperlink just one or a few key words, not the whole sentence. 
    • No bibliography, footnotes, dates, page numbers etc. are needed.
  • As long as the nature of the sources is reliable (Wikipedia does not count, but Wikipedia’s sources could count),
    they can be used if clearly referenced.
  • However, make sure to use a variety of reliable sources, such as academic journals, established magazines/newspapers, statistics etc.
  • All sources will be double-checked by the editors before the publication.

pictures

  • We suggest using 1-3 pictures.
  • All pictures published must be used in accordance with the copyright laws. Since images are normally copyright-protected by default, please make use of online platforms, such as Google’s Creative Commons Search, Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash or Pexels. 
  • Make sure the image you would like to use is free-to-download and free-to-use. Platforms such as Wikimedia Common offer free-to-use images whose author needs to be accordingly referenced (the correct reference can be found on the top right of the tab: go under 'Use this file on the web' --> 'attribution').
  • All the content on platforms such as Unsplash or Pexels is free and downloadable for any use– in that case, an hyperlinked referenced to the image in the caption can suffice.
  • If you would like to use pictures from social networks such as Twitter or Facebook, make sure you have the right to do so. As things might get fishy sometimes, it is always better to be on the safe side: double-check your permission to use the image.
  • Making use of own photographs is more than welcome as well. In any case, please provide us with the link and source when you submit.
  • Make sure to write short, precise captions for each picture you want to upload.

Deadline

  • The deadlines will be arranged jointly, so we will assure that there will be sufficient time between submitting your work and its publication.
  • This means, once fixed, the deadline cannot be postponed - except for special reasons, which have to be communicated as soon as possible to the head of sections and editor.

Writer’s Presentation

  • Once your article is published, we will include a short biography of the contributing writer at the bottom of the article. 
    Please provide us with the following information: 
    • A short autobiography of approx. 35 words. Include your current studies, your general academic/professional background, and  your main topical / research interests.
    • If desired, you can submit a picture of you as well, but it is not mandatory. 

contact

The editor will have the final decision regarding any structure-related point: paragraphs, referencing, accuracy of the information, word choice, and any other issue related to the article.


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