Converting information from text to somethingthat will get read. Includes research on what readers look at on the page, and uses examples from student media. Presented at state and national journalism conventions.

1. Chart-O-Matic 2.0: Converting information from text to something that will get read Logan Aimone, MJE Executive Director National Scholastic Press Association

13. Visual: Front Page The Orange County Register, March 8, 2006 Note how this page is really a set of charts.

14. Visual: Car The Orange County Register, March 8, 2006 This should be called an infographic, which sometimes can be a type of chart.

16. Pull-out: Inside Page The Orange County Register, March 8, 2006 See how this chart accompanies the text, providing an entry point and a comparison.

18. Stand-Alone Chart: Candidates The Apple Leaf, 2006

19. Stand-Alone Chart: Sports Opinion Red Eye, March 8, 2006

20. Comparison Chart: Hybrid Cars The Orange County Register, March 8, 2006

21. Stand-Alone Chart: Sports Preview The Apple Leaf, 2006 This preview has a listing for each sport with a quote from the coach, a player and which games to watch.

22. Stand-Alone Chart: Sports Preview The Apple Leaf, 2006 This preview uses color and icons to accent the coverage and improve navigation.

23. Stand-Alone Chart: Sports Preview The Apple Leaf, 2007 This preview uses icons to accent the coverage and improve navigation.

24. Stand-Alone Chart: Entertainment reviews The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007 This set of reviews is divided into sections for movies, TV shows, songs, albums and video games. The images and large numbers attract the eye, and it is clear where the reader should look.

25. Stand-Alone Chart: Clubs briefs The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007 This looks like a bunch of text, but it actually is a series of briefs about clubs and activities. Readers can start with any topic. Each brief is written in chart style and very tight. Images help break it up.

26. Stand-Alone Chart: Clubs briefs The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007 Information in each capsule is reader-friendly. Bold-face text helps scanners see categories and key information.

27. Stand-Alone Charts: Theater The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007 Even though this page is divided into three areas, it’s clear where to go first. The middle chart about one-act plays is a perfect candidate for a chart to compare each one.

28. Stand-Alone Charts: Theater The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007 The large titles and small photos help make this dynamic. Using the subject’s own words is nice, too.

29. Stand-Alone Charts: Theater The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007 The cast Q&A is a great entry point.

30. Stand-Alone Chart: Reviews North Star, Feb. 15, 2007 All sorts of entertainment reviewed in neat capsules.

31. Stand-Alone Chart: Fondue North Star, Feb. 15, 2007 Visuals, information and clever layout. It’s a winner.

33. Chart: Club activities Etruscan, 2007 Packed with information, this small chart informs the reader about the first meetings of several clubs. Categories include a club leader, turnout, date, goals and a lengthy quote that summarizes the club’s activities.

34. Chart: Class activities Etruscan, 2007 Lengthy quotes and candid photos combine for this element on a class where students created documentary films. Concise intro text sets up the quotes.

35. Chart: Sports Etruscan, 2007 Detailed, storytelling captions accompany well-cropped action photos from a junior varsity wrestling match. The intro text provides background and context.

36. Chart: Social activities Etruscan, 2007 Narrative storytelling in first person can be compelling. This two-part sidebar details how a boy asked his date to the homecoming dance and how she responded.

38. Stand-Alone Chart: Royalty The Apple Leaf, 2006 This chart compares candidates for community festival royalty. The rows represent each community. Each girl answered the same questions.

39. Stand-Alone Chart: Red Carpet Red Eye, March 9, 2006

40. Stand-Alone Chart: Landmarks The Apple Leaf, 2005 This chart lists five local landmarks. The landmark location, its history and a photo are included.

41. Stand-Alone Chart: Election The Apple Leaf, 2004 This chart compared candidates for the presidential nomination in 2004.

42. Stand-Alone Chart: Must-Have Gifts The Apple Leaf, 2005 This chart gives three gift suggestions based on price for various people on your list.

44. Package: Sports The Washington Post, 2006 This full page shows how multiple charts combine with text to create a complete package.

45. Package: Election The Apple Leaf, 2005

46. Package: Election The Apple Leaf, 2007

47. Package: Homecoming week Wa Wa, 2006 The chart allows for packaged coverage on one topic (lunch and evening activities).

48. Package: TV Show Red Eye, March 8, 2006 This chart complements the text about the television show.

49. Chart: Dance moves The Spark, 2007 This sidebar helps illustrate a set of dance moves. It accompanied a story on the school dance team.

50. Sidebar: Reviews The Campanile, 2007 This chart of local restaurants provides information at a quick glance.

51. Sidebar: List The Flashlight, 2007 This layout is very similar to a standing element from Entertainment Weekly, a good source for chart inspiration. The design motif echoes the theme of “On the Spot.”

52. Package: Music Wa Wa, 2006

53. Package: Future Wa Wa, 2006

54. Package: Drama production Peninsula Outlook, April 5, 2006 Three charts: Photo collection By-the-numbers Tech devices

55. Package: Snow fun The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007 Three charts: How-to spin 360° on skis Story about a skier Comparison chart for local ski areas

56. Package: Quinceañera The Apple Leaf, 2005

57. Package: Back to school Details, 2007

58. Package: A week in fall Details, 2007

59. Chart: Sport Participants Wa Wa, 2006 This chart allows tight, enhanced coverage. It’s great if you don’t have usable candids of these players. Repetition in section builds unity. Categories: defining moment, achievements, best game.

60. Full Page: Swimming & Diving Wa Wa, 2006 See how it works with the other elements?

61. Full Page: Wrestling Wa Wa, 2006 The chart complements the by-the-numbers list.

62. Chart: Activity Participants Wa Wa, 2006 This one is similar to the sports chart. Categories include reason for joining, three “must haves,” favorite memory and one category unique to the activity

63. Full Page: Choir Wa Wa, 2006 Good coverage can replace traditional copy.

64. Package: Girls basketball The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007 The chart along the right complements the package. It is actually a series of small news bits. There’s also a score list in the middle.