Daily News Tip Sheet
The Daily News at Trent is changing and we want you to be a part of it.
Our Daily News profiles the best Trent stories – from leading-edge teaching and research to remarkable faculty, students and alumni stories.
If you have news to share, we want to share it! All you need to do is send us a story and photo for posting.
Here are a few helpful tips to help you draft a short 300 word story that will catch our reader’s attention:
Headline:
These are the few words that will tell our reader what your article is about and why they should read it. It’s important that a headline be short and snappy but also intriguing enough to draw the reader in. Keep is short and simple. This piece is required for your story to be posted.
SAMPLE: Bright Minds and Big Ideas Converge at Trent
Sub-head:
This gives the reader a little more information about the piece and what they can expect. The subhead can be a little more factual than the headline. This piece is required for your story to be posted.
SAMPLE: Trent University Hosts Global Business Conference for Young Entrepreneurs
Content:
This is the body of your story. Unlike a research paper or essay, this should be an engaging and short piece that is no longer than 300 words and should include more than just facts. Questions to think about for your piece:
What’s new about the story and why do you want to tell it now?
Why will the reader or viewer care about the story?
What do you want the reader to know, think or do when they have finished reading?
Who should be quoted in this story?
How will this interest prospective students?
TIP: Remember that the lead of the story (the first sentence or two) is what will hook the reader. This should be captivating and make the reader want to read on!
Going Digital:
All of Trent University’s news stories are shared across our social platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.) which are largely visual in nature. Do you have a strong image or video to add to the story? Are there links throughout the piece that will help our reader learn more? Perhaps you would like us to tag a social account or use an event hashtag – share these with us as well!
SAMPLE: Follow #JANGL2015 on Twitter for an inside look at this year’s conference.
Tone:
Tone of voice is the way we write and speak. Our Trent tone is personal, smart and conversational. Try to convey this in the piece you’re writing.
Photos:
All stories should be submitted with a high-res, landscape photo related to the story. Photo specs are: 1280px wide X 720px high.
Submit Your Story to Us
Please send your completed story and photo to communications@trentu.ca.