Charting the music guidelines

The Music Director will make assignments for Charting the Music pieces, provide deadline and make sure assignment is completed on time. Web Editor will review, edit, publish and provide feedback (usually).

Here are some tips for writing an engaging, short piece for the Charting the Music series.

While these pieces are not album reviews, they should introduce the reader to the sound, style, context and feel of the album.

Articles should be concise: 100-150 words. 2-3 paragraphs.

Title should be: Charting the Music: Artist name, Album title

The lede (first sentence and/or first paragraph) is the most important part of the article. Lede should be concise, no more than 30 words. It should hook the reader with a clever or snappy line or image.

Body paragraphs may include brief biographical or newsworthy content. Interesting or surprising facts are good. Notes about producers, credits, recording process, label relations, industry movement are all useful. But the focus should be on engaging the reader with an evocation of the album's sound and style.

After the text, include the following:

Written by Your Name, Music Department.

On the KDHX Charts: # on Name of Chart for Spelled out Date. View the chart. (link this text to chart)

This album can be heard on: Show, show and show.

Even more: Include reference to related KDHX content (in-studio session or interview) or tour date or other important news.

Some further suggestions for content:

Band's hometown, producer, engineering, recording location.

Fun facts about the band (anything interesting or surprising or newsworthy).

Sound comparisons. If the listener likes X band, he or she might like this album.

This material should be integrated smoothly into text; you do not need to cover all these points.

Search KDHX.org for the artist name. Find related in-studios, interviews or other content that way.

Avoid obvious cliches: pounding drums, scorching guitar, killer solo, unique voice, interesting lyrics, catchy hooks, pop goodness, etc.

Avoid vague adjectives: nice, pleasant, good, great, awesome, bad, unique, distinctive

Avoid overly promotional tone. Do not hype, promote or try to sell the album. Describe and inform instead.

Use Google and one-sheets to get facts, but do not plagiarize or merely repeat or summarize what you have read elsewhere.

Strive to make the reader see, feel and above all, hear the album through the written word.

Never use the phrase “Buy this! You won't be disappointed” or anything similar.

Use metaphors and images to convey the sound. A creative comparison can be both evocative and entertaining for your readers. But avoid mixing metaphors or writing in a flowery manner.

Keep exclamation points and cliches to a minimum.

First person ("I") point of view is OK, so long as it doesn't dominate the writing.

Always double check all facts, especially spelling of names and titles. This is crucial.

Use AP Style for your writing. Please review the Wiki article on KDHX AP Style below.

http://kdhx.org/wiki/doku.php?id=kdhx_web_style

Most of all, have fun writing.