Publication analysis
About the publication
Title: Sonoma State Star
ISSN: N/A
Website: http://www.sonomastatestar.com
Purpose, objective, or mission: This publication is the student-run newspaper of Sonoma State University. Its purpose is to provide students with information about the university and the community, as well as local, national and international news.
Target audience: Students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Publisher: Sonoma State University.
Peer reviewed? No.
Type: Civilian; school newspaper.
Medium: Print and online.1
Content: This paper includes campus news, as well as news from the larger community of Sonoma County, the state, the nation, and the world. The focus tends to be on issues that will be of interest to, and have an impact upon, students of Sonoma State University. There are sections on arts and entertainment, sports, news, opinion, and general features.
Frequency of publication: Weekly (every Tuesday) during the fall and spring semesters.2
About the publication’s submission guidelines
Location of submission guidelines: http://www.sonomastatestar.com/aboutus/
Types of contributions accepted: The paper only states specifically that it accepts letters to the editor, to be published in the op-ed section.3 However, a number of articles in any given edition are written by students or members of faculty, which would seem to indicate some flexibility.
Submission and review process: There is no formal submission and review process beyond that for letters to the editor. “Letters of up to 500 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date.”4
Editorial tone: The tone tends to be casual and conversational in nature.
Style guide used: There is no specific style guide indicated.
Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors
For writers interested in reaching this specific community, there seems to be opportunities to connect and communicate about LIS issues.
Audience analysis
About the publication’s readers
Publication circulation: No information regarding publication circulation could be located.
Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The audience will primarily consist of residents of the area, Sonoma State University students, staff and faculty. The Sonoma State Star is an English language publication.
Reader characteristics: Would vary widely; however, their connection with the school would be a common factor. Possibly more progressive than the general public given it is a publication of an educational institution.
Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Possibly higher than the general public due to university affiliation.
Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors
Readers, with their affiliation to the school and area, will expect articles that pertain to their life at the university. A review of the publication will provide authors with a sense of the interests of the community.
Last updated: September 27, 2020
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