Guidelines for authors/editors

• Write in active voice.
  
• Write clearly giving specific details wherever you can.
  
• Some journalism tips (from http://www.star.niu.edu/nina/highschool/write.html) 
• All the work of producing a news story is futile if the story does not engage the reader immediately. Writing coaches have identified four key elements that should be present in the first five paragraphs of any news story (not necessarily in any particular order). They are
• News: The newest information: the basic facts of who, what, when, where, why and how ... the most relevant information
• Impact: What a situation means and who is affected. Tells readers what the news changes about their lives and, maybe, what they should do.
• Context: The general perspective that frames the background of the news. It addresses the relationship of things around the news. Context helps readers understand whether something is normal or surprising.
• Emotion: The human dimension. Takes a story from abstract to reality. Offers personal elements that help readers understand the story. This is not necessarily a quote, but it could be.
• Remember Neil Hopp's "First Five" formula: (Hopp is the former writing coach at the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake)
1. Effective lead. Focused, short, memorable.
2. A second paragraph that amplifies the lead
3. A third paragraph that continues to build detail.
4. Nut graph. Provides context or tells reader why this is important.
5. Power quote. An interesting quote that propels meaning. Not just a fluffy quote that gets in the way.
• Editing Tutorial: Click through this tutorial to get an idea of what you need to do as an editor (authors: it's a good way to find out what constitutes crisp and clear writing).
  

• Articles about PROJECTS [250 words + 1 picture w/ 10 word caption]
• Have you recently visited an AID project?
• Have you recently received feedback or corresponded with a project partner?
• SHARE the news with the rest of AID: What is going on, what is the issue, how is being addressed, and let's have some vivid pictures of the people at work.  
• Articles about MOVEMENTS  [250 words + 1 picture w/ 10 word caption]
• Have you recently visited some people / places where a movement is afoot
• Have you recently received a report or taken some action in response to a movement?
• SHARE the news with the rest of AID:   What is going on, what is the issue, how is being addressed, what role is AID playing, and let's have some vivid pictures of the people at work. 
• Articles about CHAPTER ACTIVITIES [150 words + 1 picture w/ 10 word caption]
• what is your chapter up to?  how are you reaching out to the local community, raising funds, discussing development issues?  Maybe other chapters can learn from you!
• Articles about GUEST SPEAKERS [75 words]
• Any interesting people visit your chapter? Journalists, social workers, economists, or others?  What did they talk about?  Please summarise the key message and perhaps link to a more detailed write up at your website.  

Layout rules

• Software: Use Microsoft Word.
• Fonts
  
• Body text:  Use Garamond font ONLY, with font size 12, and NO LESS THAN 11.5 pt.
  
• Headings: Titles must be Times New Roman, font size 13 or 14 pt. Keep 4-6 pt space between title and first line of the item.
  
• Photo captions:  Usually Tahoma 9pt, but another san-serif font such as Arial or Lucida is also okay.
  
• Text Indenting : Text must fill the line (i.e., don't use right or left flush)
• Margins : 1/2 inch margin required on all four sides (top, bottom, left, right). 0.6'' will look better but not needed.
  
• Columns : Use either 1 or 2 column format only.
• Headers:  There should be continuing headers in subsequent pages.  

Dishaa general organization

• Page 1: Substantial news items, updates from ongoing projects/movements/campaigns
• Page 2: Editorial (to the left), letters to the editors, poetry. This is the page used to set a direction within AID.
  
• Page 3: Elaborating a particular issue or concept (e.g. about CSH, Cells, a specific campaign).
  
• Page 4: Recently approved projects, concerts/events/calendars, chapter news, pledge sheet --- this page is directed at new people.
  
• Fixed pieces: The AID banner on top of first page, and the donation box at the bottom of page 4 are mandatory.  Just update the issue and volume numbers each month