Yearbook Copy

1. Yearbook Copy    Yearbook photos capture the moment; the words record the event. Yearbook copy documents the people, the places, the emotions— the stories of the year. Good yearbook copy recounts a meaningful and captivating story 5, 25 or even 50 years after the event occurred. Each copy block on a spread has a specific purpose: * Headlines hook and entice the reader. * Captions identify the people and action taking place in a photo. * Body copy recreates the event for the reader. Copy is more than words on a page; it is an element of design. Use the headlines, captions and body copy to create pages that are interesting to look at as well as to read. Use magazines, newspapers and other yearbooks as a resource for gaining design inspiration.

2. Yearbook Stories Each student has a story to tell. Each school year is packed with the emotions, sounds and sights of myriad events. A yearbook can’t capture every detail; however, with planning and ingenuity, those stories that are told can represent both the uniqueness of the school year and the similar experience of “every student.” Planning • Be sure every story is relevant, interesting and well-written. • What will be the angle of the story? How can this story be different from previous years and speak to the unique experience of this student body? • Who should be interviewed? Remember to talk to a variety of people. • What is the angle of the story? Consider what photos may be needed to accompany the story, so relevant photographs are taken. • What are the layout requirements? Identify both the amount of space reserved for copy and the number of photos required. Doing the Leg Work • The key to writing engaging copy is to bring the event to the readers. • This is done through conducting interviews and attending the event. Conduct InterviewsInterviews are integral to any news story. They provide background information that brings to life the emotions of an event. A variety of sources and noteworthy details add credibility. Conduct interviews before, during and after the event.

3. Attend the Event (applies to some stories) A story is brought to life with colorful descriptions of sights, sounds, smells and tastes. The only way to convey these sensory images is for the reporter to personally attend the event. • Stop and experience what is going on. • Take good notes; don’t rely on memory. • Arrive early and stay late. • For example, an event such as prom is much more than a theme, a band and the crowning of a king and queen. Dig in and find the story. Did anything noteworthy happen while the gym was being decorated? Did anything unexpected occur during the evening? What transpired after the last song played? Use this opportunity to gather quotes from a variety of people including the decorating committee seniors, the band and chaperones.

4. Writing the Story • Research has been conducted, quotes have been gathered and the experience is still fresh in the mind of the reporter. Now it’s time to start writing the story. • The lead is the first sentence of the story. It sets the tone and gets the readers’ attention. • Include the 5 W’s and H of journalistic writing (who, what, when, where, how and why). • Follow these guidelines when writing body copy for the yearbook: • Write in the past tense and use the active voice. • Introduce the story with an attention-grabbing lead. • Keep your sentences and paragraphs short. • Name an unexpected outcome from the event. • Incorporate interesting and descriptive quotes. • Follow the Associated Press (AP) style  for grammar and punctuation.

5. Sidebars Sidebars broaden the coverage and add more details to a spread. Some types include: • Fast Fact Bars are specific facts that relate to the main story or the focus of the spread. For example, a fast fact bar about the student council might include the number of students involved, the activities and fundraisers it sponsored, the officers’ names and a quote from a club member. • Polls and Surveys can be informal “person on the street” polls or formal questionnaires. Compile the information to show trends or ratings of people’s favorites, opinions or events. Select colorful quotes and include photos of the people quoted. • First-person is a short essay written by someone involved in an event.

6. Writing Effective Leads • A lead is the introduction to a yearbook story. It should grab the reader’s attention and portray what is interesting in the story. Leads often fall into the following categories: Anecdote - One incident is used to represent a bigger picture. The three cars raced side by side as they whizzed around LEAD the curve and into the straightaway. The blue one edged in front before its driver realized that a disaster lay ahead. The drawbridge was coming up. He would plunge into the river below. I’ve got to remember about that darn bridge during the parade,” said Phillip Stone, senior and president of the Mechanical Engineer’s Club. “If we don’t, the empty track on our float is going to look pretty silly.” More than 3,600 student hours were put into the homecoming parade. Each of the 14 floats had a story to tell.

7. Types of Leads Contrast - The lead sentence compares extremes (big with little, rich with poor, etc.). The contrast needs to mean something to the reader. It took 3,600 hours to make it happen and only 30 minutes for it to be over. “It kind of reminds me of Christmas morning,” said Lisa Gowens, a sophomore who helped build the Pep Club float. “It’s all excitement and joy and then it’s over, nothing left but the wrapping paper and boxes.” Parody - A well-known quote or phrase is used to entice the reader. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Two clubs combined to create a float that zoomed and careened, and won first place as class-made cars flew around a track bustling with girls in custom costumes. Another club found disaster when its float literally melted when one of the members turned a hose on the float.

8. Types of Leads Startling Statement - Consists of a single statement meant to surprise the reader. LEAD The winner was a loser. That’s what Stephanie Smith learned when she found out that accepting Ms. Teen Oklahoma would mean that she wouldn’t be able to graduate with her classmates. Single Word - A single word is used to sum up an event. Cheaters. The entire AP English class was accused of cheating when each member scored a five on the AP test. Description - Describes a person, place or event. LEAD Aromatic steam rose from the hot slice of pizza, sending the scent of pepperoni, sausage and mushroom wafting through the air. A new food court concept was introduced in the cafeteria, offering students a wide variety of nutritional options. Pizza ranked high on the students’ list, followed closely by the taco bar. “I love having so many choices right here on campus,” said sophomore Becky Freed. “I don’t even feel the need to leave school for lunch anymore.”