Table of Contents

HowTests Journalism Best Practices

Effective Date: February 17, 2025

At HowTests, we are committed to providing high-quality, accurate, and engaging educational content for competitive exam aspirants. To maintain consistency, credibility, and professionalism, all authors and contributors must adhere to the following Writing Rules. These guidelines ensure that content published on HowTests meets the highest editorial and ethical standards.

By submitting content to HowTests, you agree to comply with these rules. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in content rejection, removal, or suspension of contributor privileges.

2. Content Quality Standards

2.1 Originality and Plagiarism

      All content must be original. Submissions must not be copied, paraphrased without credit, or republished from another source.
      Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Any instance of plagiarism—including direct copying, paraphrasing without citation, or self-plagiarism—will result in content removal and potential suspension.
      Proper attribution is required. If referencing external sources, authors must cite them correctly and provide credit where due.

2.2 Accuracy and Credibility

      Fact-check all information. Authors are responsible for ensuring that their content is accurate, verifiable, and based on credible sources.
      Use reliable references. Cite authoritative sources such as academic papers, government websites, official textbooks, or expert opinions.
      No misinformation or deceptive content. Spreading false or misleading information—whether intentionally or unintentionally—is strictly forbidden.

2.3 Language, Clarity, and Readability

  • professional English. Content should be well-structured, grammatically correct, and free of spelling errors.
  • Use simple and precise language. Avoid overly complex or technical jargon unless necessary for the topic.
  • Ensure logical flow and coherence. Organize content in a structured manner, using headings, subheadings, and bullet points where appropriate.
  • Keep sentences and paragraphs concise. Lengthy, dense blocks of text should be broken down into digestible sections.

3. Formatting and Style Guidelines

3.1 Article Structure

  • Title: Must be clear, relevant, and engaging. Avoid clickbait or misleading headlines.
  • Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the topic, highlighting its relevance to the audience.
  • Body: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break down information logically.
  • Conclusion: Summarize key takeaways and, where applicable, provide actionable insights.

3.2 Use of Images and Media

  • Images must be relevant and high-quality. Avoid blurry, pixelated, or irrelevant visuals.
  • Use copyright-free images. Authors must only use images from legal sources (e.g., royalty-free websites, personal creations, or with proper permission).
  • Provide image attribution where necessary. If an image requires credit, include the appropriate citation.
  • Avoid excessive media use. Images, videos, or infographics should enhance, not overshadow, the written content

3.3 Use of Citations and References

  • Cite all sources properly. If using data, quotes, or research, provide full citations.
  • Follow a consistent citation style. APA, MLA, or Chicago-style referencing is preferred, depending on the content type.
  • Do not link to unreliable sources. Avoid referencing blogs, forums, or unverified websites.

4. Ethical and Legal Considerations

4.1 Respect for Intellectual Property

  • Do not infringe copyrights. If quoting or summarizing another person’s work, give proper credit.
  • Do not submit AI-generated content without disclosure. AI-assisted writing must be clearly stated, and human editing is required to ensure originality.

4.2 No Harmful or Inappropriate Content

  • No hate speech, discrimination, or harassment. Content must be respectful and inclusive.
  • No offensive or explicit material. Content must be suitable for an educational audience.
  • No promotion of unethical practices. Content that encourages cheating, fraud, or dishonest behavior is strictly prohibited.

4.3 No Commercial or Promotional Content

  • No excessive self-promotion. Contributors may mention their credentials but should not use HowTests for personal marketing.
  • No affiliate links or paid promotions. Articles must provide value without commercial intent.
  • Relevant external links only. Links should enhance the content and not redirect users to unrelated promotional material.

5. Submission Process and Editorial Review

5.1 Submission Guidelines

  • Submit content via the official HowTests contributor platform or email.
  • Include a brief author bio. This should outline relevant qualifications and expertise.
  • Ensure proper formatting before submission. Articles that do not meet style guidelines may be rejected.

5.2 Editorial Review Process

  • Content will be reviewed for quality, accuracy, and compliance with these guidelines.
  • Revisions may be requested. Authors should be prepared to modify content as needed.
  • Final approval is at HowTests' discretion. We reserve the right to accept, reject, or edit content before publication.

6. Consequences of Violations

Failure to adhere to these rules may result in the following actions:

  • Content Removal: Any submission that violates these guidelines will be deleted.
  • Suspension or Ban: Repeat offenders may have their contributor privileges revoked.
  • Legal Action: If content infringes on copyrights or defames individuals, legal consequences may apply.

7. Updates to These Rules

HowTests reserves the right to update these Writing Rules at any time. Contributors will be notified of major changes, and the latest version will always be available on www.howtests.com

8. Contact Information

For inquiries related to content submissions or these guidelines, please contact: