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Tired of all the spin, misinformation and opinion online? Want to be part of a team that's clearing the politico-cyber air? Write for Joe!

We're always looking for more writers/editors to contribute to our semi-wiki-fied citizenJoe. Whatever end of the ideological spectrum you're from, if you're willing to set aside your personal views to give Americans the clear, straight story on the issues, you're our kind of Joe/Jane.

If you like the idea of being a volunteer writer, here's what you can do:

  • Email us a writing sample on an issue of your choice (if you want to know what we're looking for, plenty of guidelines are below).

  • Take this "where do you land in the political spectrum" test and include the results in your email (be sure to include both your social and economic numbers). The test takes about 10 minutes - but we're guessing you'll love every second of it.

We'll review writing samples on an ongoing basis and invite folks that mesh to join as volunteers, starting with a one month trial basis that we hope builds into a lasting partnership.

Your writing sample will tell us about your writing, your understanding of policy issues and your ability to be "fair and balanced." We ask you to take the policy test so we can make sure our entire corps of writers balance each other out. That means that even if you send us a writing sample that blows us away we may not be able to immediately invite you to become a volunteer if your politics tips our balance too far in one direction.

By the way, by sending us a writing sample we assume you're saying you're willing to put aside your politics to commit to making citizenJoe accurate, accessible and balanced - and to write by the Joe Credo. If you've read this far, that's probably a given.

Writing sample guidelines are below. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to send us an email.

We look forward to hearing from you!

- teamJoe

Writing Sample Guidelines - If you want 'em

In a nutshell

Show us that you can lay out a complex policy issue in a clear, concise and balanced way. A little flair is nice, but - really - just a little. Facts are very nice - and should always come with a link to a reputable source.

A four paragraph sample

Pick a policy issue that's currently being debated either in Congress or in the national media, preferably one that cJ doesn't already have an issue guide on (not so we can steal it from you, but so you can start from scratch).

  • What's Up. In one paragraph, tell a reader what all the fuss is about; why is this issue being debated, how is it at all relevant to our lives, what is at the heart of the debate and what's going on now. Essentially in four to eight sentences, you want to give a reader a grasp of the issue.

  • Pro/Con. In two paragraphs lay out the core arguments on both sides of the debate.

  • Explainer. In one paragraph, pick any part of the issue that may be complex or not widely understood and flesh it out for the reader. (Eg. what exactly is a stem cell, or how does the Social Security fund work.)

Facts

For any fact, include a web link. If the fact is from one of the nonpartisan governmental sources (CBO, GAO, Census or CRS - see our links page), one citation is enough. If, however, you don't have a reputable nonpartisan source, please include two sources that balance each other out.

Style

  • Assume your readers are intelligent.

  • Assume they know nothing - at least on the topic you’re writing about.

  • Steer clear from language that is academic, wonky, legalese-y.

  • Be straight, simple, clear but don’t be afraid to use your voice.

Balance

In the end, the writing sample should be so balanced that a reader wouldn't be able to guess the political views of the writer. We've found the trick to this is to really look for the sensible and valuable arguments on both sides. If you're thinking that's not possible, just give it a whirl anyway - you could be surprised.

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