News articles are 200-250 words and should be about a timely issue and quote one or two people to make the issue more real to the reader. IndyKids particularly welcomes articles with perspectives and subjects not often seen in the mainstream media.

Steps to Writing an Article:

1. Main Article Brainstorming

• Think of an issue, event, or example of kids activism that more people should know about.

2. Lead Paragraph

• Write a lead sentence that grabs the reader.
• Who/What?: State who or what is affected by the incident/event.
• When? State the date or time the event happened/will happen
• Where? Describe where this event takes place or the source of the issue.
• How? Explain in short detail what happened or the main issue. List the names of any people or events impacted by the event.

3. Supporting Paragraph

• Include quotations or eyewitness account from your interview with a fellow student, an eyewitness, an expert, or a person who is interested in the issue.
• If you have not been able to conduct an interview, you can use a quote from an already-published article or a TV interview by citing the source of the interview.
• Example: “We are fighting for health care not just for me, but for everyone” DJ Kool Herc said in a statement to the Liberator Magazine on Tuesday (February 1).

• Describe addition details about the event or issue that expand on your lead paragraph.

4. Conclusion

• Impact: Why is this event/issue important? How will the event impact the reader?

5. Headline and Word Count

• Write a headline that catches the reader’s attention.
• Check to see if your article is 200-250 words.

6. Revise

• Try different ways of wording your sentences to clarify the story.
• Check your spelling.

7. Submit!

• Visit the IndyKids Submission Page for instructions on submitting your article.