The 2016 election is a super hot topic!

It's a Great Time to Write about Politics

(But Be Sure to Check Your Facts!)

With the 2016 presidential election looming closer, it's a great time to write about politics online, whether it's an opinion article, a top 10 list, a humor piece, or something else entirely. But it's also very important that you show your audience you are credible and informed by accurately representing facts. To that end, here are a few credible fact checking sites you may want to visit while doing your research:

• FactCheck.org is a nonprofit consumer advocate that independently fact-checks claims made by candidates, political rumors, etc. They specialize in politics, specifically.
• PolitiFact.com is another political fact-checking nonprofit where reporters and editors fact checks statements made by political figures and organizations.
• Snope.com is a site created to combat various types of misinformation including urban legends and myths, viral internet claims, etc. It is not specifically geared towards politics, but does contain a lot of information on political claims.
• Fact Checker is a blog maintained by journalist Glenn Kessler of The Washington Post. It is dedicated to researching the validity of claims made by political figures.

Christy Kirwan
Marketing & Community Manager

Tips for Writing a Great Political Hub

Now that you know a few good  places to easily verify your political facts, here are a few general tips to help you write more engaging political articles that readers will love:

• Stick to one issue at a time. Many political writers and bloggers make the mistake of trying to cover too many issues in a single article, which can result in overwhelmed readers and a loss of focus.
• Keep it civil and professional. Talking politics tends to evoke strong feelings. Criticize political stances and viewpoints all you like, but stay away from personal insults, slander, and other negative comments that are not backed by facts. Delivering calm and logical criticism is a hallmark of professional political writing.
• Discuss why your issue is relevant to your audience. People care most about politics when they are affected personally. Make sure your readers understand why they should take an active interest in the issue you are discussing.
• Always verify your claims. This is a point that bears repeating. Backing your points up with verified and cited facts and data really adds value for your readers and proves you're an authority on your topic.

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