User Diaries

When it comes to user diaries, we have a few basic requirements that are listed before you are able to hit that magic “Post” button. They are (emphasis added):

   * The Swing State Project is about campaigns & elections. Your diary should be, too.

   * Please preface your diary with headers like “MT-Sen” as appropriate.

   * Aim for three original paragraphs of writing.

   * Don’t copy-and-paste entire copyrighted articles.

We also have an informal rule that users should attempt to limit themselves to no more than two of the ten listed diaries in the “recent diaries” list. We have these rules in the interests of fairness; some people invest an incredible amount of energy and time into their diaries, and we want people to be able to have a fair chance to read and comment on these diaries.

Occasionally, some diarists have neglected to consider rule number three (for instance, see here, here, and here). I realize there is a temptation to post breaking news very quickly via the diaries, but if you do not have time to offer any analysis or information other than a single sentence and a hyperlink, these types of diaries should instead be comments in open threads. And, just to remind you, we now have three types of open threads for your use: one every Friday for weekend chatter, and now, two Daily Digests each weekday: one in the early morning, and another in the afternoon. There really is no excuse not to use these threads for brief “grab-bag” commentary.

So be warned: In the future, we will exercise the right to delete diaries that don’t meet our “three paragraphs” rule. Thanks for your cooperation.