Stanford Political Review

Style, Interview, & Writing Guide

Interested in writing a piece for the Stanford Political Review? You’re in the right place! This document details the sort of content we publish and offers guidance on the writing process. If you have any questions or want to be connected to a section editor, feel free to reach out to our Editor-in-Chief, Bruno Rodriguez Diaz, at brunord@stanford.edu.

I. What kinds of articles does SPR publish?

We publish on a wide range of topics, including technology, the Supreme Court, the economy, the Bay Area, and more. For inspiration, see our website. Standard submissions fall between 500 and 2,000 words, and we welcome various different types of pieces. These categories include, but are not limited to, the ones listed below.

  • Traditional Op-Eds (500–1,000 words): An op-ed takes a current issue or event and gives your unique take on it. They are sharp, concise, and argument-centered.
  • Deep Dive (1,000–2,000 words): Compared to an op-ed, a deep dive is longer and more analytical. They often involve substantial research, data, or expert quotes, and may tackle broader or more abstract issues than an op-ed.
  • Interviews & Spotlights (700–1,500 words): This type of piece centers an event, person, or group, and usually relies heavily on interviews or direct quotes.
  • Cultural & Personal Narratives (600–1,200 words): These narrative-driven pieces ground a large-scale issue in personal experiences and identities. These may be first-person or look closely at the lived experience of interviewees.

This list is not exhaustive, but the important thing to remember is that we do not report the news. Instead, we analyze it, while offering clear, unique perspectives. When writing, ask yourself: “do I have a thesis?” If not, we can work with you on developing one.

We often get submissions adapted from class papers. Those are welcome, as long as the paper has not been published elsewhere. Remember, though, that our journal is geared toward a general reader: if your class paper is highly technical, it may need significant changes.

II. What style do you use?

AP Style is the most commonly used manual amongst publications; it governs grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage in written work. SPR follows AP Style with a small set of exceptions, so when in doubt, default to AP. There are numerous guides found online, and below are some examples of when AP style comes into play.

  • Numbers: Spell out zero through nine; use numerals for 10 and above (e.g., nine Senators, 12 amendments). Always use numerals for percentages (5% or 5 percent, not five percent).
  • Titles: Capitalize formal titles only when they precede a name (Senator Paul, but the senator).
  • Months: Abbreviate the following months when paired with a specific date: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. Other months — and all months when standing alone — should be spelled out.
  • Dates: Do not write “th” or “rd.” It isn’t “Aug. 8th,” it’s “Aug. 8.”
  • Times: Use figures, such as “3:30” instead of “three-thirty.” Only use a colon when minutes are involved — it’s 3 a.m. instead of 3:00 a.m. Use a.m. and p.m. instead of AM and PM. Use midnight and noon instead of 12 a.m. and 12 p.m.

All exceptions to AP style are listed below.

  • Oxford Comma: AP style does not use the Oxford comma, but we at SPR do. In a list, add a comma before the “and” (e.g., milk, eggs, and cheese instead of milk, eggs and cheese).
  • Italics: AP style does not use italics, but we at SPR allow them sparingly. Appropriate uses for italics are when naming journals, books, and music albums, as well as when emphasizing specific words.
  • Hyperlinks: AP does not have rules for online sources, but we at SPR use hyperlinks instead of parenthetical citations or footnotes. Hyperlink to primary sources whenever possible and hyperlink the source of the information (e.g., According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, inflation dropped by 2.4% last quarter).
  • Stanford Names: Add class years to student or alumni names, such as “John Doe ’26” or “Jane Smith ’26 M.S. ’27” in the case of alumni with multiple Stanford degrees.

In terms of how to write out the name of our publication, we are the Stanford Political Review. Italicize Stanford Political Review and do not capitalize or italicize “the.”

III. How do I conduct an interview?

Conducting an interview is an excellent way to enrich your article. Interviews can give you expert perspectives (we are at Stanford after all!) or quotes from those directly impacted by the subject of your article. Below are some things to consider when planning and conducting interviews.

  • Reach out politely but concisely. Shorter emails are more likely to be read in full. Give a brief synopsis of what you’re working on and ask if they would be interested in sitting down for an interview.
  • Give specific windows. If the subject responds that they are interested, thank them for taking the time and lay out several windows that work for you. Your goal is to make it as easy as possible for them to agree to a time.
  • Brainstorm questions in advance. Brainstorm specific questions and organize them in the order you plan to ask them. Don’t be afraid to follow up on questions and veer from your prepared list; some of the most dynamic interviews come with some improvisation. However, it’s a good idea to flag particularly important questions to make sure you get the answers you need. It’s also a good idea to form a rough checklist of general topics or themes you want to cover, especially for longer interviews.
  • Establish that your interview is on the record. After greeting but before interviewing your subject, make sure to ask: “are you okay with this interview being recorded?” Once they confirm, hit record. State your name and the name of the person you’re interviewing, then ask again for confirmation about being on the record.

    “This is Bruno Rodriguez Diaz sitting down with Jane Smith. My recorder is on; can I confirm that you’re okay with this interview being on the record?”
  • Send a thank you note. After finishing your interview, send an email later that day thanking your interviewee for their time. Let them know you’ll reach out if you have any follow-ups while writing the story.

If your subject wants to review quotes or the full article before publishing, you must say no. SPR does not allow quote review under any circumstances; never accept an interview that is contingent on your subject reviewing what you publish.