1. General Document Structure

• File Format: All submissions should be in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.
• File Naming: Name files as follows: AuthorName_ShortTitle_Date.docx. Example: JaneDoe_HousingCrisis_20241114.docx.

2. Text Formatting

• Font: Use 12-point Times New Roman for body text.
• Line Spacing: Double-spaced for the entire document, including quotes and references.
• Margins: Standard 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Alignment: Align text to the left; do not justify text.
• Paragraphs: Use a single line between paragraphs; do not indent the first line of paragraphs.

3. Headings and Subheadings

• Headline: Use bold, 16-point font. Write in Title Case and ensure it is concise and reflects the article’s focus.
• Subheadings: Use bold, 14-point font for subheadings. Use Title Case and ensure each subheading logically divides sections of the article.
• Hierarchy:

• Primary Headings: Bold, left-aligned, 14-point font.
• Secondary Headings: Italics, 12-point font, left-aligned.
• Tertiary Headings: Underlined, 12-point font, left-aligned.

4. Quotations and Citations

• Direct Quotes: Place all direct quotes within double quotation marks and attribute them properly. Quotes longer than four lines should be formatted as block quotes, indented 0.5 inches from the left margin, without quotation marks, and single-spaced.
• Attribution: Provide full names and titles/roles for sources on first mention (e.g., “Jane Smith, director of the Fort Collins Housing Coalition, said...”). Use last names only on subsequent references.
• Citation Style: For external sources, provide in-text citations with the author and publication name (e.g., “according to John Doe in The Coloradoan”) and include hyperlinks where applicable in brackets.

5. Numbers, Dates, and Time

• Numbers: Write out numbers one through nine and use numerals for 10 and above. For rounded figures, spell out terms like “hundreds” or “thousands.”
• Dates: Use month-day-year format (e.g., November 14, 2024).
• Time: Use a.m. and p.m. in lowercase (e.g., 10 a.m., 6:30 p.m.) and avoid the redundant “o’clock.”

6. Statistics and Data

• Presentation: Round off percentages and numbers to two decimal places unless greater precision is essential.
• Attribution: Clearly attribute all statistics and data to their original sources and include the publication year if relevant (e.g., “According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Census Bureau…”).
• Visualization: If submitting charts or graphs, ensure they are clean, legible, and include source attribution below the visual.

7. Lists and Bullets

• Numbered Lists: Use numbered lists only when the sequence or ranking is important.
• Bulleted Lists: Use bulleted lists for related items that don’t require a particular order.
• Formatting: Keep lists simple. Capitalize the first word of each item and add periods only if the list items are full sentences.

8. Hyperlinks and URLs

• Hyperlinking: Embed hyperlinks directly into the text rather than providing full URLs (e.g., “as reported by The Denver Post”).
• Broken Links: Test all hyperlinks to ensure they work and link to the correct pages.
• Citation Links: Place a hyperlink in brackets following any cited publication or source.

9. Images and Multimedia

• File Format: Submit images in .jpg or .png format, with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
• Naming: Name image files clearly, e.g., JaneDoe_InterviewPhoto.png.
• Placement and Captioning: Indicate in the document where images should appear by writing “Insert Image 1 here” in brackets. Include a brief caption and source for each image at the end of the document.
• Permissions: Authors must ensure they have permission to use any multimedia elements. Proper attribution is required for all images, videos, and graphics.

10. Spelling and Grammar

• Spell Check: Run a spell check and proofread all content before submission.
• Preferred Spelling: Follow American English conventions (e.g., “color” instead of “colour”).
• Grammar: Adhere to AP Style grammar guidelines for punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviations.

11. Submission Process

• Title Page: The first page should include the author’s name, article title, date of submission, and word count.
• Submission Channel: All articles should be submitted via email to fcreport.submissions@outlook.com.
• Deadline Adherence: Articles should be submitted by the assigned deadline. If an extension is needed, authors should notify the editor at least 24 hours in advance.
• Confirmation: The editorial team will confirm receipt within 24 hours. If you do not receive confirmation, please follow up.

12. Post-Submission Edits and Revisions

• Editorial Review: Submitted articles will go through a two-step editorial review process. Authors may be asked to make revisions, and these should be completed within 48 hours.
• Final Proofreading: The editorial team will conduct a final proofread for any remaining minor adjustments before publication.

13. Compliance

• Adherence to Guidelines: Compliance with these formatting guidelines is mandatory. Submissions that do not meet these standards may be returned to the author for revisions, potentially delaying publication.
• Updates to Guidelines: Fort Collins Report reserves the right to update these formatting guidelines as needed. Authors will be notified of any changes.

These formatting guidelines ensure a streamlined editing process and maintain Fort Collins Report’s professional standards for quality and consistency across all publications. Authors should review these guidelines thoroughly before submitting their work.