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SayPro Journalism Formatting Guide

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Purpose

The SayPro Journalism Formatting Guide provides clear, standardized instructions for authors, editors, and contributors on how to prepare, format, and present journalistic content for publication within the SayPro platform. This guide ensures uniformity across articles, enhances readability, maintains editorial quality, and supports efficient editorial workflows.

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Scope

This guide applies to all written journalistic content produced for SayPro, including but not limited to news articles, feature stories, op-eds, interviews, profiles, and investigative reports.

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1. General Formatting Standards

• Document Format: Use Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), Google Docs, or a compatible text format for submissions.
• Font: Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point size for body text.
• Line Spacing: 1.5 line spacing throughout the document.
• Margins: Standard 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all sides.
• Alignment: Left-aligned text; do not justify.
• Paragraphs: Use a single line break between paragraphs; no indentation at the start of paragraphs.
• Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the footer, centered or right-aligned.

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2. Headings and Subheadings

• Main Title: Centered, bold, 16-point font, title case (capitalize major words).
• Subheadings: Left-aligned, bold, 14-point font, title case.
• Sub-subheadings: Italicized, 12-point font, sentence case.
• Use subheadings to break up long texts and guide readers through the article logically.

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3. Article Structure

• Headline: Clear, concise, engaging; should summarize the main point.
• Byline: Include the author’s full name immediately below the headline.
• Dateline: City and date of the report, placed at the start of the first paragraph if relevant.
• Lead Paragraph: Strong introductory paragraph summarizing the key facts or narrative hook.
• Body: Present information logically, using the inverted pyramid style for news, or narrative flow for features.
• Quotes: Use quotation marks for direct speech; attribute to the speaker immediately after the quote.
• Conclusion: Summarize or provide a closing thought without introducing new facts.

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4. Language and Style

• Use clear, concise, and objective language.
• Avoid jargon, acronyms without explanation, and overly complex sentences.
• Use active voice whenever possible.
• Maintain neutrality and avoid bias, especially in news reports.
• Use the Oxford comma consistently.
• Spellcheck and grammar check prior to submission.

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5. Citations and Attribution

• Attribute all information to credible sources.
• Use in-text attribution, e.g., “According to the Ministry of Education…” or “Dr. Ama Kofi stated…”
• When referencing reports, statistics, or studies, provide the source name and date.
• For direct quotes, ensure exact wording is preserved and the speaker is clearly identified.
• Avoid plagiarism by citing all paraphrased or quoted material properly.

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6. Numbers and Dates

• Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above.
• Use numerals for ages, percentages, dates, and times.
• Dates should follow the format: Day Month Year (e.g., 3 June 2025).
• Use 24-hour time format for clarity (e.g., 14:30).
• Currency: Use the relevant currency symbol or abbreviation followed by the amount (e.g., $50, NGN 5000).

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7. Multimedia Integration

• Embed captions directly below images, videos, or graphics.
• Caption format: concise description + credit/source attribution.
• Ensure all multimedia is high resolution and relevant to the article content.
• Confirm rights and permissions for all multimedia materials.
• Provide alt-text descriptions for images to support accessibility.

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8. Use of Links and Hypertext

• Include hyperlinks for online references, data sources, or additional reading when applicable.
• Link text should be descriptive and relevant (avoid “click here”).
• Ensure all links are active and direct to reputable, secure websites.

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9. Ethical Considerations

• Respect privacy and confidentiality of individuals.
• Avoid defamatory language and unsubstantiated claims.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest or potential biases.
• Follow SayPro’s editorial ethics and journalistic standards at all times.

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10. Submission Checklist

Before submitting your article, ensure:

• Compliance with all formatting guidelines above.
• The text is thoroughly proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
• All sources and quotations are properly attributed.
• Multimedia files are attached with captions and permissions.
• The article aligns with SayPro’s editorial mission and audience expectations.

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Conclusion

The SayPro Journalism Formatting Guide is essential for maintaining the highest standards of journalistic excellence. Adherence to this guide helps produce clear, credible, and professional content that resonates with SayPro’s readership and supports the platform’s reputation as a trusted voice in journalism.

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