rabble.ca is always looking for original material where both style and content surprise and engage the reader.
We occasionally run articles from other publications, as long as the author holds the rights and indicates in writing that we have their permission. We have editorial partnerships with other media. Any such arrangements are negotiated with the rights of authors in mind. Visuals and excerpts will not be addressed in this document.
Style
Online writing isn’t the same as magazine, newspaper or academic styles. When they’re online, many people scan text more than they read it. Reading from a screen is not as comfortable as reading print. Please keep this in mind when writing for rabble.ca.
The best online writing is familiar, closer to the conversational tone. Keep sentences short (20 words or less), clear, and to the point. Don’t leave out needed information, but also be sure not to clutter your text with unnecessary details. Avoid clauses and convoluted sentences. Make sure what you write makes sense. Use simple language.
We encourage subheadings throughout long pieces to break up the article up and make it easier for readers to follow along.
rabble.ca stories do not patronize or indulge in stereotypes, overgeneralizations or other techniques that diminish people due to their ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or occupation or level of education.
Please avoid jargon of any kind, clichés, assertions and oxymorons. If you are writing opinion, make it clear that’s what it is – your opinion. But be sure your words are based on something real, and establish your foundation at the top. Avoid using quotation marks and italics as a way of qualifying or emphasizing a word or phrase. Let the sentence explain itself.
Show, don’t tell. Describe, don’t preach. Try to avoid these words: must, should, ought to, correct. Avoid hyperbole, bombast, didactic language and rhetoric. Hone your language. Try to make your work a pleasure to read, not a duty.
Where possible, avoid first person.
Wit is good: clarity is better. If you can combine the two, that would be the best.
Substance
There can be a temptation to post information as fast as possible, without careful checks for style and content. Are all your facts confirmed? If not, hold back from sending it to the editor, or clearly flag the information outstanding at the top of your piece. Is there anything you are basing on memory, assumptions, educated guesses, rumours or gossip? Then don’t send it. Check with your sources. Make sure your information lines up with what can be confirmed. File a story as soon as you can verify the facts.
When you’ve got a final draft ready to send the editor, check it a final time. Look at the grammar and spelling, especially of proper names.
Speed is good: accuracy is better. If you can combine the two, great.
Related items
Writers are strongly encouraged to include a comprehensive list of sites related to their subject. A brief very brief description (i.e. the title of the article and the source it comes from) and the specific URL that takes you right to the relevant information must be included. These other websites might link to opposing views, artists’ work, sound clips and background documents that broaden the discussion.
SEO and discoverability
rabble.ca encourages writers to incorporate SEO and discoverability best practices in their content. This includes proposing a headline, and using keywords in headlines. Including a proposed decks (or excerpts). And throughout the article; including links (to other content you’ve published on rabble, or to related content). Best SEO practice focuses on readability (see ‘Style’ above); and using strong photos and language to share the piece on social media.
Multi-Media
We encourage authors to propose images they would like to use for stories. Please ensure that you have the rights to use any image before sharing with the editor.
Content warnings
On pieces that include sensitive subject matter, we will include a small line of text at the top of the story to serve as a content warning for what our audience can expect to read about.
While rabble has not always included content warnings, we recognize that there is a wide variety of topics we report on that may cause unnecessary harm to people. We have introduced content warnings with the goal of allowing our readers the opportunity to prepare themselves or avoid the story altogether.