This document provides tips for writing engaging articles for a student newspaper. It emphasizes making articles well-researched by interviewing experts, citing sources, and including relevant hyperlinks. It also stresses writing for the intended college-aged audience by addressing timely and relevant topics. Finally, it recommends organizing articles with an engaging lead paragraph followed by body paragraphs and an thought-provoking ending.

1. Touchstone Newspaper
© Danielle Travali, 2010-2011

2.  Is it engaging? Interesting to read? Well-
researched? Well-thought out? Would you
want to read this even if it weren’t your
writing (that’s a tough one, but get serious
and ask yourself that question)?
 These are just a few things for you to think
about when piecing together your story…

3.  Is the piece well-cited? Where did you get the
facts you’re using in your article?
 If it’s not an editorial or solely opinion-based
piece, poem, work of fiction or something
you devised all on your own, you need to ask
yourself the following: how many experts did
you interview? This makes a difference
between CREDIBILITY and CRAP 

4. Hyperlinks are important, because they direct
people to:
 Things you don’t necessarily want to describe
 Relevant outside information that’s beneficial
to your story
 Your sources
 Relevant videos that make your story more
engaging

5.  The benefit of the Web is that people can
participate—it’s an ACTIVE medium versus
other PASSIVE forms of journalism
(newspapers, television, etc…where you don’t
do anything but LOOK and get BORED)

6.  This is important. Do your homework by reading
the news and talking to people. What do people
want to read about? Search Twitter, Facebook,
Digg, Yahoo Buzz, Technorati, and other social
networking sites to find out what people are
searching for on a regular basis.
 Consider your audience. You’re writing for
college-aged students with interests and issues
similar to yours. Ask yourself: is my story
relevant? Is it timely? Why would my audience
care?

7.  A well-organized story is key to keeping the
reader’s/viewer’s attention.
 Your nut paragraph, or central idea, should come
in the beginning after your lead (starting
sentence that draws your reader in…should be
engaging / witty / poignant to fit the house
style).
 Body paragraphs to follow, with a thought-
provoking ending (you do not have to write a
conclusion. This is not the same thing as an
academic term paper)

8. and you’ll be a pro! 