The document provides an overview of The Triangle, the student newspaper of Drexel University. It was founded in 1926 and publishes weekly during the school year. The Triangle has around 25-60 volunteer student staff members and is financially independent of the university. Students can gain experience in roles such as writing, editing, design, photography, business, and more. The document describes the various job roles and responsibilities and encourages students to get involved.

1. TRIANGLE 101
a crash course

2. oh hi there.
editor @ thetriangle.org
JAMIE THOMSON,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

3. history + some basics
A LITTLE BACKGROUND

4. The Paper
• Born in 1926
• Publish every Friday of class weeks
– Every other Friday in summer
– Special issues: Welcome Back; The Rectangle
• Circulation: ~5,000 print each week;
average over ~30,000 visits online per month

5. The Organization
• Completely volunteer, all Drexel students
• Staff: ~25 to 60 depending on time of year
• Financially & editorially independent of Drexel

6. Content & Submission
• Most content comes from staff members
– Editors work closely with new recruits until they
gain experience and join the staff officially
• Anyone in the Drexel community may submit
to Op-Ed or recommend a story
– But it’s up to editors to decide what’s appropriate

7. always attribute
PLAGIARISM:
JUST DON’T DO IT

8. Becoming Triangular
• “Measurable contribution” to 3 consecutive
issues. Ex:
– Writing an article
– Copy editing articles
– Shooting photos
– Designing layout
– Working with advertisers

9. Why?
• Flexible (to a point)
– Commit as much time as you want (2-22 hrs / wk)
• Develop a wide variety of skills & build your
résumé / portfolio
• Take a break from your major

10. …more reasons
• Cool opportunities & recognition in the
Drexel community
• Free food (when you’re working) +
1 swanky staff dinner per term
• Make friends & have fun! 

11. Management
Advertising
News P
h
Opinion & Editorial o
Arts & Entertainment t
o
Sports s
Comics, Features, etc.
Copy Editing & Layout
Distribution, Website & Social Media

12. workflow + deadlines
HOW THE PAPER IS MADE

13. step 1 – 24/7 … generally over the weekend for the following week
GET CONTENT

14. step 2 – by Mon @ 5 / Tues @ 5
GET ADVERTISEMENTS ($)

15. step 3 – Wed & Thurs
MAKE IT SEXY

16. step 4 – Fri morning
GET IT OUT THERE

17. Lather, rinse, repeat.
And learn from your mistakes!

18. where do you fit in?
JOB DESCRIPTIONS

19. News Writers
• What you will do: Cover news events, features,
analyze, etc.
• Prereqs: Good writing skills, appreciation for
grammar/usage, good communication skills, no
fear of “getting to the bottom of something”
• Time commitment: Staff meeting on Monday,
time to contact sources & write

20. Sports Writers
• What you will do: Go to Drexel sports events
(possibly Philly) and cover the games.
• Prereqs: Appreciation for sports, ability to
write well
• Time commitment: A few hours for a game
and writing the article

21. Entertainment Writers
• What you will do: Preview albums, movies,
restaurants, etc.
• Prereqs: Appreciation for the arts, good
writing skills
• Time commitment: Time for event and writing
the article

22. Op-Ed Columnists
• What you will do: Write an opinion column
for the ed-op section on a regular basis
• Prereqs: Good writing skills and the ability to
form sound arguments
• Time commitment: a few hours for thinking,
researching, writing

23. Comic Artists
• What you will do: Draw a comic for each
Triangle issue at a predetermined size
• Prereqs: Strong artistic skills; ability to be
funny and not just offensive
• Time commitment: Time required for drawing

24. Graphic Designers
• What you will do: Create graphic elements for
the paper – charts, graphs, etc.
• Prereqs: Artistic ability; data visualization;
Photoshop/Illustrator skills
• Time commitment: Few hours, usually
Wednesday and Thursday nights

25. Photographers
• What you will do: Take photos of all sorts of
things
• Prereqs: Some photography knowledge is a
plus but not necessary
• Time commitment: Few hours a week—you
can take on as many assignments as you wish

26. Layout Staff
• What you will do: Get assigned to a section to
help with the layout and design of the paper
• Prereqs: Creativity; some Adobe experience
helps but it’s not required, we’ll train you
• Time commitment: Typically 3+ hours per
week

27. Copy Editors
• What you will do: Check articles for grammar,
usage and style
• Prereqs: Excellent grammar and usage skills;
reference AP Style book as needed
• Time commitment: It’s up to you. We need
help on Tues / Wed / Thurs.

28. Web Staff
• What you will do: Transfer stories and pictures
from the print edition to the online edition;
improve online presence
• Prereqs: computer skills; experience with
PHP/WordPress would help
• Time commitment: A few hours, usually
Thursday night/Friday morning

29. Distribution Staff
• What you will do: Distribute papers to bins
around main campus; send papers to branch
campuses and other universities
• Prereqs: Pro-activeness; timeliness; ‘strategery’
• Time commitment: Few hours a week; deliver
on Friday morning

30. Business Staff
• What you will do: Answer emails and phone
calls, try to sell ads, assist with finances
• Prereqs: Organization; professional
communication; some business knowledge
• Time commitment: 3-10 hours/week in the
office

31. Other Potential Roles
• Features
• Sci/Tech
• Business (Writing)
• Datebook
• PR & Event Planning
• Social Media

32. editor @ thetriangle.org – Jamie Thomson, EIC
staff @ thetriangle.org – Tara Giancaspro, Recruitment Manager
Staff Meetings = Mondays @ 6:30 in MacAlister 3010. Free pizza.
THANKS!