APsA Blog — Editorial Guidelines Checklist

Crafting a blog is fundamentally different from generating the academic writing with which most of us are familiar. The more you immerse yourself in the form, the more self-assured and comfortable you will be. The goal of the APsA blog is to write pieces that will appeal to the general public and increase interest in psychoanalytic ideas and concepts, and how they relate to important issues of the day.

The Committee on Public Information (CPI) recommends that you review our blog at Psychology Today, before writing a single word. Additionally, we encourage you to review the “How To Blog” toolkit included in the International Psychoanalytic Association’s Resource Library. While this toolkit is designed to help you develop your own blog, it does include many helpful ideas on how to write for the public. Blog Guidelines (ipa.world)

All submissions will be reviewed by members of CPI, but note all submissions need to meet the guidelines below to be considered. So before submitting a post, please make sure your article does the following:

Keep it brief: 600 to 800 words (is preferred). Less is more. No articles over 1,000 words will be considered. If your post is longer than 1000 words, we will return it with the request that you further edit prior to our review. We know this can be tough!!

Aim to convey a single primary idea with, perhaps, supporting secondary ideas. Identify the central idea before beginning to write. What do you want a reader to know or consider after having read your piece? Make sure your central idea is easy to recognize and understand, and can be summarized in a single sentence.

The title of the piece should clearly state what it is about—avoid metaphor and catchy phrases. Be direct and to the point. This is critical for Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

The first paragraph should make the same point and use the same language as the title; they both should convey your central idea. Include the who, what, where and how in this opening (known as the lead or lede). Use punchy, concise language—pull the reader in! And don’t be afraid of style!

All subsequent paragraphs should be short, sweet and relate to your main idea. The blog beast loves white space; long, dense paragraphs lose your reader

Your goal is to engage a lay reader. You are writing to communicate—the reader should understand what you are saying, not be impressed by how smart you are. Write to inform, inspire, provoke, encourage, energize, and entertain. Always keep in mind: this is not a journal article; you are not writing for colleagues.

Your post is a story, not the presentation of an abstract concept. Show, don’t tell: use vignettes to illustrate your points.

Clarity is essential: are your points easily understood? Do they flow smoothly and logically? Edit out excess.

Define all terms—particularly, the psychoanalytic—in accessible language.

Ask yourself: is my point of view easy to grasp and fashioned to involve the reader? Am I coming across as warm, thoughtful, and accessible?

Almost all submissions will likely undergo some editing. Don’t be discouraged if the edits feel considerable—there is a steep learning curve. These guidelines provide a running start.
Happy Blogging!!!

*The IPA Resource Library is a searchable database of outreach projects from around the world and practical tips for promoting and explaining psychoanalysis to different audiences. It contains how-to guides for using media relations, social media, websites and blogs to promote psychoanalysis; examples of outreach projects from around the IPA; and fact sheets on writing for the public or talking with journalists. It also is a place for IPA members to share knowledge and best practice.