Student Yearbook

Student Yearbook Guide

Reporting

1.     Good Reporters

a.     Look and Listen for their reporters

b.     Everyone at an event or activity is a potential source

c.     Some sources offer better insight than others

d.     Information gathering starts with the five W’s and H

2.     Research

a.     Research helps reporters understand their stories

b.     Previously published material is a place to start researching a story

c.     Primary sources provide background and material that may become part of a 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 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.      

                                               i.     Lead – opening sentence or paragraph introduces the story

                                             ii.     Quotes –word for work statements from sources showing a reaction or interpretation of an event

                                            iii.     Transitions –gives context to quotes and make them meaningful. It Informs readers to help them understand. Also prepares the reader for the next quote

                                            iv.     Conclusion – the final sentence or paragraph. It should end with a strong point or quote

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?

Not describe story completely but make it catchy

Describe the 3-step process to writing dynamic headlines

1.     A solid understanding of content results in better 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 form individuals in the photo add depth

2.     Describe the 3-step process to writing captions

a.     Gather information to explain the photo, if possible, attend the activity

b.     Create a verbal/visual connection by brainstorming a list of attention-getting impact words that come to mind when looking at the photo

c.     After interviewing and brainstorming dynamic words, it is time to write the caption.

                                               i.     Summary caption- write detailed sentence in present tense describing the action in the photo

                                             ii.     Expanded caption- write a second sentence providing details not obvious in the photo

Photography

We will be discussing this section in class