2008 Woodie Awards
View print edition front page as a PDF
How To Become An Eagle Staff Writer
There are two types of writers at The Eagle: contributing writers, and staff writers. Anyone who writes for The Eagle is considered a contributing writer, regardless of how often they write.
Becoming a staff writer is the first step toward becoming more involved in The Eagle and is a great resume booster ? both for getting jobs and internships and applying to become a member of the Eagle's editorial staff. Staff writers write consistently, clearly and thoroughly, and are generally depended on to cover more challenging or important stories.
Staff writer expectations:
-Write at least two stories per month.
-Undertake extensive fact checking and proofing for style and grammatical errors before submitting stories to your editors.
-Use strong leads that clearly identify who, what, when, where, why and how the story is significant.
-Make sure all stories have an AU or college student-related angle (this can be achieved for most stories by including reaction quotes from students and/or faculty and staff members).
-Use multiple sources for each story.
-Be available via phone, e-mail or IM after submitting stories to answer questions or do follow-up reporting (the Eagle staff reserves the right to not print stories considered incomplete because writers were not available to fact-check, fix problems or fill in gaps in information).
-Accept stories that may be assigned on deadline (i.e. assigned by a call specifically to you, not from an assignment meeting, because an important event/issue arises and no one else is available to cover it).
To become a staff writer:
1. Write for The Eagle for at least one semester, or the equivalent (at least four months back-to-back).
2. During this time, you must have at least eight bylines in The Eagle (print, Web, or both). You are encouraged to keep track of your bylines by assembling a clip portfolio or noting the dates that your articles are published. The Eagle staff will periodically take inventory of bylines and may contact writers who are nearing staff writer status, but you are ultimately responsible for keeping tabs on your own progress.
3. Each of your articles must have multiple human sources (three or more). The Eagle staff can help you get in touch with on-campus experts and sources if you're having trouble, so just ask!
4. At least one of your stories must be an in-depth feature or news feature (800-1,000 words) with at least one supplement (i.e. a sidebar, chart, or graph; photos with captions; or a complimentary story, such as an interview). If you're unsure of what to do for this, talk to your editors! They can help and will be happy to.
5. Once you've amassed your bylines, contact the editor in chief at editor@theeagleonline.com or x1402 to make an appointment for a staff writer evaluation.
To maintain your staff writer status:
-Write at least two stories per month for print, the Web, or both.
-Do not hold a staff position in any capacity for any other campus media outlet while serving as a staff writer or editor at The Eagle. To do so without informing the Eagle's editorial staff constitutes a conflict of interest and is grounds for dismissal from Eagle staff duties.
Staff writers, or staff writers-in-progress, are free to discuss any concerns or problems with the Eagle staff at any time, as well as inquire about their progress or status at any time.
