Media Handbook for National Human Rights Institutions Writing for journals Civil society organizations, professional associations, unions, legal bodies and other groups often publish journals or newsletters for their members, stakeholders and affiliates. Preparing an article for inclusion in these journals provides the NHRI with an opportunity to tailor its messages to a particular audience in a way that is impossible to do through mainstream media outlets. It also allows the NHRI to begin a dialogue with this audience and invite comments and feedback on the issue. In many cases, NHRIs will be invited by a group to prepare an article on a topical issue for its journal or newsletter. In other cases, the NHRI may approach the group directly to propose a piece; for example, to promote awareness of a research project or inquiry being run by the NHRI. When preparing an article for an online or printed journal, you should: • Research the publication. Find out who reads it, what topics have been covered in previous issues, how they have been covered and who has written them. • Talk with the editor. Understand what issues the audience would like to see discussed, as well as any requirements about the length, style and tone of the article. • Be relevant. Ensure that your article addresses the questions or concerns that readers may hold. TIPS FOR CLEAR WRITING Write for your reader: Think about your audience. What do they know and what would they be interested to know? Tell them something new or interesting and do so in an engaging way. Be concise: Don’t use too many words. Longer is not better; it’s just longer. Review what you write and then see if there are words, sentences or even whole paragraphs that can be removed without losing the meaning. Use short sentences: Readers can get lost with long sentences, especially when they include multiple ideas. If your sentence is too long – for example, 30 words is too long – then cut it in half. Lose the jargon: The language of human rights is full of jargon and legalese. This can be a major barrier to effective communication. Ask a trusted colleague or friend to read what you’ve written and ask if there are words, phrases or concepts that are hard to understand. Use simple language: Large words can sound impressive but are they really necessary? Your goal is to communicate an idea or pose a question. Use language that is clear and uncomplicated. Chapter 2: Engaging with the media: Tools and strategies | 33