Final Guideline (x2) for writing UWC book article

Based on the Guideline posted in this blog on 30 June 2008, several amendments (mainly on the language issue) have been made because of some recent updates. They are all on italics. Any party concerned should refer to the following:

1. Suggested format:

i. Interview (written in essay form): you (journalist) interview a selected interviewee (alumni / principals / teachers / students, etc). Suitable for interviewees who need guidance for presenting ideas & who lack time to write articles by himself/herself.
a. Example: http://www.uwc.org/gp_twan
b. You must consider “Tips for your articles” in Point 8 to write your article

ii. Interview (written in dialogue): interviewees & you formulate the content in dialogue format (e.g. Q&A, msn dialogue). A more lively method.
a. Example: Q&A format: http://www.soapsonabc.com/2008/02/02/general-hospital-sarah-brown-q-a-interview/ and MSN dialogue format: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/812079.html
b. You must consider “Tips for your articles” in Point 7 to write your article

iii. Self-written: alumni / principals / teachers / students write the article with guidance from an editor (of our group). Good for those who can present his/her ideas clearly in written form.
a. Example: http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2006/10/let-me-splain-myself.html
b. You must consider “Tips for your articles” in Point 7 to write your article

iv. Round-table interview: a group of interviewees discuss on selected topic(s). Use this method if interviewees’ interaction can produce spackles & inspiring ideas. A moderator is present and you (journalist) should write the article.
a. Example: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6261414.html
b. You must consider “Tips for your articles” in Point 7 to write your article

2. Method of interview / information exchange: in person / telephone / email / msn…..any kind you (journalist) think is effective

3. Style: No specific requirement. Should be set according to the way the journalist/writer intend to present and the content of the article. Possible styles can be formal, casual, funny or lively

4. Language Medium: English (in Proper/Formal English) or Chinese (in Proper/Formal Chinese, no Cantonese please!)

5. Presentation way: Words + Photos

6. No of words: about 2,000 – 2,500 words (English without punctuation marks or Chinese characters with punctuation marks included)

7. No of photos: at least 10 (should be very eye-catching!).

8. Graphic design: You (journalist) DO NOT NEED to do any graphic design of your chapter/article. What you need to do is to submit article + at least 10 photos to our designated designer. However, you can help by matching each photo with corresponding paragraph in your article. Tell the designer your ideas in written form. He/she will help you for the design.

9. Tips for excellent articlesAll articles MUST include the following:
i. Creative chapter title
ii. Sub-titles (副題) in between paragraphs
iii. Must-know knowledge (小知識) or Useful tips (小錦囊) like in-depth info, interesting facts, personal insight. E.g. When the article is mentioning about “IB”, we suppose that our readers, who are general public, may not know what it means. So please provide some “must-know knowledge” like a sentence or two about IB and include the official website. Do not put the knowledge in the content but on either left or right hand side of a page, preferably in smaller font.
iv. Figures, tables & charts
v. Interviewees bios (similar to CV but in short form): maximum 10 items (either working experience, educational attainment, award or all of them)

Workflow:Selection of topics (by journalist)
Develop article framework and interview questions (discussion between journalist and editor)
Interview / self-written stage / round table (by journalist)Writing + selection of photos (by journalist)
Draft Submission (from journalist to editor)
Feedback for redrafting (from editor to journalist)Submission to interviewee if necessary (by journalist)
Submission to graphic designer (by journalist) + graphic design (by graphic designers)
Submission to chief editor (by graphic designer)
Feedback for redrafting (from editor to journalist)
Publishing

First draft on 2008.6.25
Updated on 2008.6.30
Last update on 2008.8.19

Pls Join Our BBQ Gathering

We are planning to have our first gathering – BBQ night in Whitehead (still remember Starfish Bay? They are very close to each other!), which is next to LPCUWC.

You can meet other UWCers who are also interested in the book. You can also meet old friends as well as new people to share your recent updates – all the happiness and sadness!

You may play golf (inside the venue) and visit LPC teachers (Li Ping, Esther Chau……).

Details -

Date: 13 Sept 08 (Sat)
Time: 5pm onward (if you come on time, you can see the breathtaking view of Tolo Harbour and the Sunset!)
Venue: Whitehead Club, Ma On Shan (Website: http://www.whiteheadclub.com)
Budget: around $100 to $200 per head
Car Park: Available

All BBQ food are ready for serving.

Welcome to invite other UWCers to come!

Please reply if you are planning to attend.