Writer’s Guidelines

A note on journalistic integrity

The Providence Eye aims to meet the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, which can be found here — specifically, its four guiding principles which advise that an ethical journalist:

    1. Seek truth and report it
    2. Minimize harm
    3. Act independently
    4. Be accountable and transparent

Topics and story content

We are interested in articles that:

  • Focus on Providence issues, events and people including the local impacts of state and national trends.
  • Engage the residents of Providence.
  • Inform our community with the most relevant and compelling news, features, and the latest events listings.
  • Expand our understanding of Providence and its people with fact-based reporting.
  • Inspire our community with visions of what’s possible.
  • All articles are available online in both English and Spanish and we welcome articles written in either language.
  • The Providence Eye is a publication by and for the human beings of Providence. Please refrain from using generative AI (i.e. ChatGPT) in writing your article. If you have questions about the use of AI tools for transcription or research purposes, please ask your editor.

 

Process

  • Submit and discuss your idea with your editor to ensure that it meets our editorial requirements. Unsolicited articles are less likely to be published.
  • Undertake your research and interviews. It’s important that you consult multiple sources, incorporating direct quotes in your article from two or more interview subjects.
  • Keep an archive of your interview notes and recordings.
  • Show, don’t tell. Demonstrate what you mean through credibly-sourced facts, examples, and quotations rather than your own blanket statements or assertions. If you use a statistic, cite the source.
  • When possible, use direct quotes rather than paraphrasing an interview subject.
  • Consult with your editor as needed to plan your written story and focus.
  • Submit your draft article to our editor.
  • The editor will review and request sources, clarifications and revisions if needed.
  • Expect feedback from the editor that may require changes and Your final draft will be edited for length and style. Final publishing decisions rest with Editorial.
  • Your article will be scheduled for publication on PVDEye.org

 

Style & Length

  • Published articles will generally be 700-1500 words in length.
  • Articles should be written in the third person (I.e. Please do not use “I” unless it’s within a direct quote). Contact your editor if you have questions.
  • All submissions will be edited for grammar, style and clarity. Editors are guided by the AP Stylebook. Follow these if you can.
  • Readers’ attention spans are short. The point of the article should engage the reader in the first paragraph.
  • Paragraphs should be short and tightly constructed.
  • Acronyms may be used after being defined on first use.
  • Anyone quoted must be identified with name and job title.
  • Hyperlinks to any sources or related content should be inserted where needed. If you are unsure how to insert a hyperlink, provide the URL and your editor will include it.
  • Please write a brief biography of the author(s) of the article which includes name(s), title(s), organization(s), and interests. Include a line or two about your personal history and connection to Providence.

Graphics

  • Please send any photos taken along with your article in a .png or .jpg file format. Original photographs will be credited to you as the photographer.
  • If you find an image that is from or credited to another source, you will need to get written permission from the source. This is important for copyright and other legal purposes.

 

For example, if you want to use a photo of a show at Providence Performing Arts Center, you will need to contact them for permission and credit them properly in the photo caption.

  • If you are taking photos yourself, note that pictures of people are generally more compelling than pictures of things. However, please make sure you ask for permission before taking a subject’s picture. It’s especially important to be cautious about photographing minors.