Editors Only

Tips for Editors on Evaluating Articles in The Queue

Here are some tips on how to process articles in the queue.

Guidelines for Queue Editors

Since we can publish submissions as diaries, which have different editorial standards than articles, try to consider all submissions as potential articles or diaries. All articles must have a real name for an author, not a "handle" or blogger name that doesn't look like a real name.

A first initial and a last name is okay. Articles under 400 words are usually diary length. Poetry and Satire: Poetry should have the word poetry in the description, somewhere and have poetry selected as one of the subject categories. Same idea for satire.

No meanspirited attacks on people, and no attacks on anyone, except famous celebrities, and only with justification. It's okay to go after the president or members of congress, but not their assistant.

Always consider an article that is being rejected as a diary. Acceptance as a diary is a lot better than rejection altogether. Always try to give some brief explanation of why an article is being rejected.

Some examples: no separation between paragraphs makes it unreadable. too many basic grammatical and spelling errors not something we want to cover too negative abusive language racist, misogynist, hateful do the link submissions first. try to get the older articles first. Try to get to the longer articles first.

If you're not sure, there's a box in the article modify interface where you can leave a message for other editors. Please use it often. Ask a question. Ask for others' opinions. Make sure to leave your name with your message so we know who left it.

Remember, if you reject an article, you may hear back from the writer. Patient, calm questions are fine. Nasty, resentful responses are way out of line. Those kinds of people should be banned from submitting to the site.

Providing a very short, kind explanation often helps. If you hate the article and feel it's poorly written, just say it's not for us and good luck submitting it elsewhere, or consider it as a blog. To approve, click on the approve/reject button Make sure the article is in the correct category.

If you are rejecting it, select basic rejection-- usually. If you want it on the front page, uncheck the checkmark in the box. If the article really only fits a local area or subjects, then leave the checkmark checked. If you like, add a little message to the writer. It will appear as a PS after the stock message.

Let's be a stickler for grammar, typos and having at least a reasonable vocabulary. How much emphasis do you want placed on this? The article has to read reasonably well. I give more latititude to people who write English as a second language.

What are some reasons to reject an article?

Libelous unsubstantiated claims or statements, stupid, hateful, mean: Those are reasons to reject, period.

Nothing new being said, weakly argued, very short, very personal, not consistent with Positive Psychology content.