<div class="fr-view"><p>Before you get started, make sure to have a look at our <a href="https://www.thehootstudents.com/guidelines" style="text-decoration: none;cursor: pointer">Guidelines</a>. Posts that don&#8217;t meet them might be removed.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re a member of OU or Open SU staff, a brand or organisation, make sure to highlight it in your post. The Hoot is all about transparency.</p>
<p>The Hoot is the place for OU students, friends and family members to share their stories, experiences and procrastination tools with the wider community. Got a great idea for a post? Make sure to read on&#8230;</p>
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					<span class="zfNum">1</span>
					Choosing the format				</h3>
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						<img width="693" height="1028" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Post-Types.png?fit=693%2C1028&;ssl=1" class="" alt="" style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Post-Types.png?w=693&;ssl=1 693w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Post-Types.png?resize=202%2C300&;ssl=1 202w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Post-Types.png?resize=690%2C1024&;ssl=1 690w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Post-Types.png?resize=360%2C534&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Post-Types.png?resize=545%2C808&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 693px) 100vw, 693px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="http://thehootstudents.com" rel="nofollow noopener">The Hoot</a>
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					<p>We've got lots of format options to choose from, perfect for any post you might want to make. If you would like a little more guidance on the individual formats, click each one below:</p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 1.5625rem 1.875em;padding: 0px;font-family: Cabin, sans-serif;font-size: 17px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 400;letter-spacing: normal;text-align: start;text-indent: 0px;text-transform: none"><li><a href="https://thehootstudents.com/creating-a-quiz/">Quizzes</a></li><li><a href="https://thehootstudents.com/polls/">Polls</a></li><li><a href="https://thehootstudents.com/lists/">Lists/Countdowns</a></li><li><a href="https://thehootstudents.com/post-create-page/?type=story" style="text-decoration: none;cursor: pointer">Story</a></li><li><a href="https://thehootstudents.com/post-create-page/?type=meme">Meme</a></li><li><a href="https://thehootstudents.com/post-create-page/?type=image">Image</a></li></ul><p>Note - all posts need a title, excerpt and thumbnails (image). Make the excerpt short and snappy - it's what will draw people to your post! Thumbnails need to be at least 600 x 400 pixels. You can read our tips and tricks about <a href="https://thehootstudents.com/adding-great-graphics/">making great thumbnails and post graphics by clicking here.</a></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 20px;font-family: Cabin, sans-serif;font-size: 17px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 400;letter-spacing: normal;text-align: start;text-indent: 0px;text-transform: none"><br></p>			</li>
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				<h3 class="zfTitle zfTitleNum">
					<span class="zfNum">2</span>
					Beginning the post				</h3>
									<figure class="zfMedia zf-image">
						<img width="716" height="308" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/box-2.png?fit=716%2C308&;ssl=1" class="" alt="Blank text box with prompt &#039;Type something here&#039; written inside it. There are several options to edit the text in a bar at the top of the text box e.g. bold, italic, underline etc." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/box-2.png?w=716&;ssl=1 716w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/box-2.png?resize=300%2C129&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/box-2.png?resize=360%2C155&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/box-2.png?resize=545%2C234&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="http://www.thehootstudents.com" rel="nofollow noopener">The Hoot</a>
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					<p>This box is where you introduce your post! Use the buttons along the top to change the text format and add a table, image or link.</p><p>It's important to note that this box does not spellcheck your content, so make sure that you've double-checked your spelling and grammar before hitting 'publish'.</p><p>Click the '+' button below the text box to add different types of content to your post.</p><p><br></p>			</li>
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					<span class="zfNum">3</span>
					Adding images and media				</h3>
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						<img width="885" height="601" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gallery.png?fit=885%2C601&;ssl=1" class="" alt="Grid of images, with 3 photos on the top row and 2 photos on the bottom row. Top left- Selection of vegetables. Top middle- A row of houses in front of a river. Top right- Field of daisies. Bottom left- waterfall from a tall bridge into a small lake. Bottom right- row of windows in a block of apartments." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gallery.png?w=885&;ssl=1 885w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gallery.png?resize=300%2C204&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gallery.png?resize=768%2C522&;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gallery.png?resize=360%2C244&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gallery.png?resize=545%2C370&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="http://www.pixabay.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Pixabay</a>
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					<p>Uploading images and embedding other types of content can really add to your post. It's important to get the balance right though – try not to rely on imagery to tell your story. ;</p><p>Please use images from the following four free image sites:<a href="https://pixabay.com/" style="cursor: pointer;color: rgb(23, 156, 186);text-decoration: none"> ;</a></p><ul><li><a href="https://pixabay.com/" style="cursor: pointer;color: rgb(23, 156, 186);text-decoration: none">Pixabay</a><a href="https://www.pexels.com/" style="cursor: pointer;color: rgb(23, 156, 186);text-decoration: none"> ;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pexels.com/" style="cursor: pointer;color: rgb(23, 156, 186);text-decoration: none">Pexels</a><a href="https://unsplash.com/" style="cursor: pointer;color: rgb(23, 156, 186);text-decoration: none"> ;</a></li><li><a href="https://unsplash.com/" style="cursor: pointer;color: rgb(23, 156, 186);text-decoration: none">Unsplash</a><a href="https://www.canva.com/" style="cursor: pointer;color: rgb(23, 156, 186);text-decoration: none"> ;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.canva.com/" style="cursor: pointer;color: rgb(23, 156, 186);text-decoration: none">Canva</a> ;</li></ul><p>If any images are not from our four free sites (unless you have paid for them or you have made them yourself), they will be replaced or removed. ;</p><p>Remember, you can check out our handy guide on how to effectively use graphics and images in your posts <a href="https://thehootstudents.com/adding-great-graphics/">here</a>!</p><p><br></p>			</li>
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					<span class="zfNum">4</span>
					Credit where credit's due				</h3>
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						<img width="637" height="270" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/credit.png?fit=637%2C270&;ssl=1" class="" alt="1 tickbox that is checked saying &#039;via&#039;, and an unchecked tickbox underneath saying &#039;Affiliate link&#039;. Underneath this is a textbox titled &#039;Source URL&#039; with text entered saying &#039;http://thehootstudent.com&#039;. Underneath is another text box titled &#039;Credit&#039; with text entered saying &#039;The Hoot&#039;." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/credit.png?w=637&;ssl=1 637w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/credit.png?resize=300%2C127&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/credit.png?resize=360%2C153&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/credit.png?resize=545%2C231&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
								<cite class="zfCredit">		<a class="zf-media_credit" target="_blank" href="http://www.thehootstudents.com" rel="nofollow noopener">The Hoot</a>
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					<p>Images are awesome. Not attributing the owner of images is not. Make sure to include who owns the image and where you found it - no exceptions.</p>			</li>
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					Please note...				</h3>
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						<img width="1919" height="1192" src="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-suzyhazelwood-3601081.jpg?fit=1919%2C1192&;ssl=1" class="" alt="A typewriter with a piece of paper saying &#039;to blog or not to blog&#039;." style="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-suzyhazelwood-3601081.jpg?w=1919&;ssl=1 1919w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-suzyhazelwood-3601081.jpg?resize=300%2C186&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-suzyhazelwood-3601081.jpg?resize=1024%2C636&;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-suzyhazelwood-3601081.jpg?resize=768%2C477&;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-suzyhazelwood-3601081.jpg?resize=1536%2C954&;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-suzyhazelwood-3601081.jpg?resize=360%2C224&;ssl=1 360w, https://i0.wp.com/thehootstudents.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-suzyhazelwood-3601081.jpg?resize=545%2C339&;ssl=1 545w" sizes="(max-width: 1160px) 100vw, 1160px" />							<figcaption class="zfCaption">
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					<p>If you submit an article to be published on The Hoot (<a href="http://www.thehootstudents.com">www.thehootstudents.com</a>) from 1 July 2025 onwards, you also give permission for your work to be considered for publication in The Hoot SiSE Newsletter (for students in secure environments). This newsletter is sent out to OU students in secure environments twice a year.</p>			</li>
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