Politics’ Guide for Authors

Tips for writing, things to remember to include and what to do once your blog has been published.

About to get started on a blog for Politics? Take a few minutes to read this first.

Tips for Writing:

  • Come up with a title that catches reader’s attention and makes them want to read more. Don’t use the same title as your journal article. Here are some tips for writing strong blog titles.
  • Is your work relevant to a recent event or anniversary? Consider using this as a means of introducing the core arguments of your article. There are lots of helpful guides online to writing blog introductions that keep readers reading.
  • All of our articles have a 1-2 lines excerpt. Along with the title, this is what people read first. A strong excerpt will compel someone to read your full blog and download your journal article.
  • Avoid using jargon and long sentences. Make sure your blog is accessible to a wide audience.
  • Your blog should have a clear start, middle and end. Utilise subheadings to break up the text if necessary.
  • The main arguments of your journal article should come through clearly.
  • Include hyperlinks throughout your article. Our blogs should have at least 3 such links. Remember to include links to your original article and any other Politics content (journal articles or blog pieces).
  • Our blogs are between 400 and 800 words. If you think your blog needs to be longer, please discuss it with the Associate Editor. All blog posts should remain compelling and accessible regardless of length.
  • Remember to proof read and fact check your work before sending it to the editors.
  • Read through some of our past blog articles for inspiration and to get a sense of the different approaches you can adopt to blogging.

Remember to include when submitting a blog:

  • A title, short preview text and your blog with hyperlinks.
  • Your name, affiliation, short biography (1-2 lines) and a link to a picture we can include on your author profile.
  • A link to your website (personal, staff page or Academia.edu account) and Twitter account (if you have one).
  • At least 5 key words or phrases that will help people find your article.

Once Published

  • Politics will promote your blog, but the personal touch is often the best way to ensure a large number of relevant readers.
  • Share your work with your network. This includes any relevant academic mailing lists and working groups.
  • Does your blog mention any organisations or individuals? Share your piece with them and ask them to share it further.
  • Blogs can be a great way to introduce your ideas to new audiences. Is your piece of interest to non-academics? Considering sending it to journalists, organisations or officials who may be interested in reading a short accessible piece.
  • Contact your University Department and Press Office. Ask them to share your article through their social media platforms, on their website and include it on any upcoming mailing lists emails.
  • Know of another website that would be interested in your blog? Ask them to republish it! Politics allows republication provided accreditation and a link to the original piece is included. Politics pieces have been republished on the likes of Democratic Audit, Justice Everywhere and Richard Jackson’s Terrorism Blog.
  • Utilise social media to ensure your work is widely read. We notice the difference when authors share their work on Facebook, Twitter, Academia.edu, LinkedIn, Google+, Reddit, Research Gate and other social networks.
  • Add your article to Mendeley. Doing this, along with some of the other suggestions included here, will help boost your articles Altmetric score.
  • Politics will tweet and post your blog. You can help boost the visibility of these by sharing, liking or commenting on these posts.
  • Respond to any comments left of your article.
  • Next time you write a comment piece or online article, include a link to your Politics blog and article.
  • Next time you attend a conference, workshop or event, mention your Politics article and blog to colleagues.
  • For more tips read “5 easy ways to improve your article’s visibility and get cited”.

Any questions? Contact the editors.

The Editors

The Editors

The Editors of Politics.

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