Writer's Guide

Thank you for your interest in writing a manuscript for Purview.

Tips on Writing a Successful Manuscript

Here are a few things to do to increase your chances of getting published.

Writer-editor-publisher Joseph Pulitzer said, “Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it, and above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.” You’ll get off to a good start by being brief, clear, picturesque and accurate according to the following principles.

Write for the broader audience.
Purview’s purpose is to inspire dialogue among space and missile defense communities: international, any of the military services, think tanks, faculty members and students or cadets, and more. Manuscripts should be current, relevant and informative to the broadest audience possible.

What intrigues people?
Write the manuscript to include–

  • immediacy
  • proximity
  • impact or consequence
  • prominence
  •  progress

Bring on the So What.
Always have a So What. Put it in the early paragraphs of your manuscript.

These things are To Be Avoided

  • acronyms
  • abbreviations
  • long program names

Readers may get distracted or give up if there are a lot of acronyms, abbreviations and long, capitalized program names in a manuscript. You should limit their use by using descriptive terms as much as possible.

CHECKLIST

Make Sure You Have:
-  Obtained public release clearance from your organization. Contact your organization’s public affairs office if you need assistance.
- Created separate attachments for photos, charts, etc. to be used in your manuscript. Do not embed those kinds of items in the written document.