Anthropology News Commentaries are designed to explore issues relevant to the discipline from an anthropological perspective. Currently received by 11,500 subscribers, the AN is the most widely distributed anthropological publication in the world. Commentaries reflect the views of the authors and their publication does not signify endorsement by the AN or the AAA. Authors are expected to verify all factual information included.

Details

• Commentaries should be a 1000-1200 words (about 4 pages typed, double-spaced).
• Organize the text into 3-4 subheadings.
• Limit the key points you wish to make to 3 or 4; readers will be more likely to absorb and remember your piece if you help them to focus. Key subheads to these points.
• Keep in mind that 99.9% of your readers will not be familiar with your specialty and its particular jargon. Write for this audience.
• Begin with the bottom line: feature the single most powerful sentence as the opening line, e.g., What is the main point of your piece? What is it that you would like the reader to remember most?
• Be sure that your points and examples clearly and effectively support your argument.
• End with a brief statement of what it is that you want the reader to retain.
• Feature concrete examples. This is the most effective communication device in a newspaper medium. Examples not only draw the reader into the subject more easily, they facilitate a much more rapid comprehension.
• Keep bibliographical references to the bare minimum. In keeping with its newspaper format, AN style allows the author’s name, title and date of publication in parentheses in the text itself only when absolutely necessary.
• At the end of your article, add a single biographical paragraph of no more than 30 words summarizing your research interests. This is an opportunity to list your most recent publication, fieldwork foci, or to mention an additional reference for interested readers.
• Be thinking about a visual to illustrate your article. With a strategic caption, this can be used to clarify a point briefly mentioned in your text or to raise a new concept. We will work together on this aspect.
• Photos submitted for your article must be at a resolution of 300 dpi. Take care with digital photography, frequently set at a resolution of 72 dpi. If you send photographs for us to scan, they will be returned to you.
• Send a draft manuscript via email for editorial comments and suggestions.
• Submit completed manuscript via email, on disk or CD (marked with format and WP software used) and hard copy if sending via disk/CD.

Thank you for your time and collegial spirit. Please feel free to contact the managing editor of Anthropology News, Stacy Lathrop, directly for assistance or clarification: AAA, 2200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22201-3357; 703/528-1902 ext 3005; fax 703/528-3546.