1. TRIANGLE 101
a crash course

2. oh hi there.
editor @ thetriangle.org
JAMIE THOMSON,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

3. history + some basics
A LITTLE BACKGROUND

4. The Paper
• Born in 1926
• Publish every Friday of class weeks
– Every other Friday in summer
– Special issues: Welcome Back; The Rectangle
• Circulation: ~5,000 print each week;
average over ~30,000 visits online per month

5. The Organization
• Completely volunteer, all Drexel students
• Staff: ~25 to 60 depending on time of year
• Financially & editorially independent of Drexel

6. Content & Submission
• Most content comes from staff members
– Editors work closely with new recruits until they
gain experience and join the staff officially
• Anyone in the Drexel community may submit
to Op-Ed or recommend a story
– But it’s up to editors to decide what’s appropriate

7. always attribute
PLAGIARISM:
JUST DON’T DO IT

8. Becoming Triangular
• “Measurable contribution” to 3 consecutive
issues. Ex:
– Writing an article
– Copy editing articles
– Shooting photos
– Designing layout
– Working with advertisers

9. Why?
• Flexible (to a point)
– Commit as much time as you want (2-22 hrs / wk)
• Develop a wide variety of skills & build your
résumé / portfolio
• Take a break from your major

10. …more reasons
• Cool opportunities & recognition in the
Drexel community
• Free food (when you’re working) +
1 swanky staff dinner per term
• Make friends & have fun! 

11. Management
Advertising
News P
h
Opinion & Editorial o
Arts & Entertainment t
o
Sports s
Comics, Features, etc.
Copy Editing & Layout
Distribution, Website & Social Media

12. workflow + deadlines
HOW THE PAPER IS MADE

13. step 1 – 24/7 … generally over the weekend for the following week
GET CONTENT

14. step 2 – by Mon @ 5 / Tues @ 5
GET ADVERTISEMENTS ($)

15. step 3 – Wed & Thurs
MAKE IT SEXY

16. step 4 – Fri morning
GET IT OUT THERE

17. Lather, rinse, repeat.
And learn from your mistakes!

18. where do you fit in?
JOB DESCRIPTIONS

19. News Writers
• What you will do: Cover news events, features,
analyze, etc.
• Prereqs: Good writing skills, appreciation for
grammar/usage, good communication skills, no
fear of “getting to the bottom of something”
• Time commitment: Staff meeting on Monday,
time to contact sources & write

20. Sports Writers
• What you will do: Go to Drexel sports events
(possibly Philly) and cover the games.
• Prereqs: Appreciation for sports, ability to
write well
• Time commitment: A few hours for a game
and writing the article

21. Entertainment Writers
• What you will do: Preview albums, movies,
restaurants, etc.
• Prereqs: Appreciation for the arts, good
writing skills
• Time commitment: Time for event and writing
the article

22. Op-Ed Columnists
• What you will do: Write an opinion column
for the ed-op section on a regular basis
• Prereqs: Good writing skills and the ability to
form sound arguments
• Time commitment: a few hours for thinking,
researching, writing

23. Comic Artists
• What you will do: Draw a comic for each
Triangle issue at a predetermined size
• Prereqs: Strong artistic skills; ability to be
funny and not just offensive
• Time commitment: Time required for drawing

24. Graphic Designers
• What you will do: Create graphic elements for
the paper – charts, graphs, etc.
• Prereqs: Artistic ability; data visualization;
Photoshop/Illustrator skills
• Time commitment: Few hours, usually
Wednesday and Thursday nights

25. Photographers
• What you will do: Take photos of all sorts of
things
• Prereqs: Some photography knowledge is a
plus but not necessary
• Time commitment: Few hours a week—you
can take on as many assignments as you wish

26. Layout Staff
• What you will do: Get assigned to a section to
help with the layout and design of the paper
• Prereqs: Creativity; some Adobe experience
helps but it’s not required, we’ll train you
• Time commitment: Typically 3+ hours per
week

27. Copy Editors
• What you will do: Check articles for grammar,
usage and style
• Prereqs: Excellent grammar and usage skills;
reference AP Style book as needed
• Time commitment: It’s up to you. We need
help on Tues / Wed / Thurs.

28. Web Staff
• What you will do: Transfer stories and pictures
from the print edition to the online edition;
improve online presence
• Prereqs: computer skills; experience with
PHP/WordPress would help
• Time commitment: A few hours, usually
Thursday night/Friday morning

29. Distribution Staff
• What you will do: Distribute papers to bins
around main campus; send papers to branch
campuses and other universities
• Prereqs: Pro-activeness; timeliness; ‘strategery’
• Time commitment: Few hours a week; deliver
on Friday morning

30. Business Staff
• What you will do: Answer emails and phone
calls, try to sell ads, assist with finances
• Prereqs: Organization; professional
communication; some business knowledge
• Time commitment: 3-10 hours/week in the
office

31. Other Potential Roles
• Features
• Sci/Tech
• Business (Writing)
• Datebook
• PR & Event Planning
• Social Media

32. editor @ thetriangle.org – Jamie Thomson, EIC
staff @ thetriangle.org – Tara Giancaspro, Recruitment Manager
Staff Meetings = Mondays @ 6:30 in MacAlister 3010. Free pizza.
THANKS!