Headlines
- The title is your headline. Keep it short—10 to 15 words or less is ideal.
- Make the headline a clear summary of the story.
- Example: “Local School Receives R10 Million Grant” or “Community Leader Honoured with National Award.”
- Avoid using acronyms or complicated terms that readers may not know.
- Think of your headline as the one-minute version of your story that grabs attention.
Photographs
- Add a relevant photo to go with your story.
- Include an alt text to describe the image for readers who can’t see it.
- If needed, add a caption (under “Teaser Image Caption”). If the image is generic or doesn’t need a caption, leave it blank.
- Use quality images that represent the story clearly.
Structure Your Story
- Start with the most important details in the first paragraph.
- Use the inverted pyramid style:
- Begin with the most critical information.
- Follow with supporting details, background, or context in order of importance.
- This approach ensures readers can quickly grasp the main point and decide if they want to read further.
Keep It Simple
- Write short sentences and paragraphs.
- Use hyperlinks to link readers to additional details or background information.
- Avoid jargon or acronyms, but if you must use an acronym, spell it out the first time.
- Example: “The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) supports…”
- Always check for spelling errors and make sure the story is easy to understand.
Story Length
- A news story should generally have 3–4 short paragraphs.
- If your story is only one paragraph, consider sharing it as a quick update on social media instead of a full article.
Final Steps
- Save your work and double-check that you’re posting to the correct section of your website.
- Once published, the story will automatically appear in the news section and may also show up on the homepage as the latest update.
This guide ensures your stories are clear, engaging, and easy for readers to follow.
