Style Guide for CBM Fansites
In order to present a professional image to the public, and to keep CBM editors from having to spend all their time editing, we require that fansite owners follow some basic guidelines in order to participate as a contributor to CBM.
NOTE: User contributions that do NOT follow the below guidelines may be deleted.
- Write Well:
- Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation is a must. Please capitalize new sentences and especially "i".
- No "mobile phone" language allowed. Any articles that look like a teen's text message will immediately be deleted.
- Use a "spell checker" or dictionary if you are unsure of a spelling.
- Proper layout and spacing required. If you are cutting and pasting a lot, check your article and make adjustments if it looks wonky.
- DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IN HEADLINES OR CONTENT. IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD AND IT'S JUST DAMNED ANNOYING.
- We cannot abide PLAGIARISM!
- When aggregating news from other websites, avoid taking too much.
- ALWAYS credit your source. Use the "source" fields in your newstool.
- Rewrite and provide unique content whenever possible.
- NO Messageboard "Threads" Allowed:
- Provide CONTENT not a two sentence paragraph meant only to get comments. We have a forum for that.
- We are a breaking news site first and foremost. Write with that in mind--to a general audience.
- If your contribution relies solely upon user comments, it will most likely be deleted.
- If your contributions are interesting only to yourself, they will be deleted.
- If your editorials are not self contained, or in other words, if you are posting open-ended "thoughts" without providing analysis or argumentation, they will be deleted.
- Fill out All Fields in the Articles Management Tool:
- Headlines need to be descriptive of the content. "My next editorial" isn't a good headline.
- Don't leave the teaser section blank. It is meant to advertise your article on the main.
- Use the source fields to credit your source if applicable.
- Click on the question marks (?) in your newstool to understand what each field is for.