Student Yearbook

Student Yearbook Guide

Reporting

1.     Good Reporters

a.     Look and listen for their readers

b.     Everyone at an event is a potential source

c.     Some sources offer better insight than others

d.     Info gathering starts with the 5 W’s and H ( who, what, when, where, why, how)

2.     Research

a.     Research helps reporters understand their stories

b.     Previously published material is a helpful source

c.     Primary sources provide background/material that may become part of the story

3.     Interviews

a.     The better the questions the better the answers

b.     Active listening produces the best results     

c.     Good notes contain direct quotes and facts

Writing          

1.     Notes

a.     A writer uses questions to help focus the story

b.     If the notes seem incomplete, there is more reporting to do

c.     Organizing notes helps with decisions about content

2.     Stories

a.     The best feature stories put info in a human context

                                               i.     Lead –  intro paragraph introduces the story, sets tone and angle

                                             ii.     Quotes – word for word statements from sources adds voice and human interest to the story

                                            iii.     Transitions –  informs reader what the story is talking about and preparing them for the next quote

                                            iv.     Conclusion –  ties the end of the story back to the beginning, ending with a strong point

b.     Quick reads offer an alternative to features

3.     Good Writing

a.     Good copy depends on an angle and substance

b.     Good copy seems tightly written and lively

c.     Good copy uses narrative elements

d.     Good copy seems fresh and original

Read the article by Mallory Summers & see all the components working together

Writing effective headlines requires creativity, effort, and attention to details

What can you take from this page to help in writing creative headlines?

Write about something that is going to capture an audience, interview multiple sources about the event, provide details and facts, and make it interesting

Describe the 3-step process to writing dynamic headlines

1.     A solid understanding of content results better in headlines

2.     Word play and brainstorming are useful strategies

3.     Guidelines lead to quality and consistency

Captions                        

1.     Content

a.     Captions should do more than state the obvious

b.     Captions answer readers’ questions about a photo

c.     Caption writing requires reporting

d.     Direct quotes from individuals in the photo add depth

2.     Describe the 3-step process to writing captions

a.     Gather info to answer questions who, what, when, where, why, and how

b.     Create a visual connection by using words or phrases from the people in the picture

c.     Summary caption and expanded caption in PRESENT, describing details that aren’t obvious in the photo, featuring a direct quote from the person