1. Writing for Yearbook
It not just a picture book!
Mrs. E. White
Seoul American High School
Adapted from “Observe, React, Think, and Write, by H.L. Hall and Martin Putney and “Scholastic Yearbook Fundamentals” – 3rd Edition
Monday, August 17, 2009
11. Headlines Do’s and Don’ts
Eliminate unnecessary words
DON’T The Wrestling Team has a
very successful year
DO
Matmen Triumph
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13. Headlines Do’s and Don’ts
Use a comma instead of “and”
DON’T
Cheerleaders show grit and
determination
DO
Blood, sweat, cheers
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23. Leads
The first few sentences of your copy.
Should make the reader want
to keep reading.
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24. Leads
Here are several different types of
leads you can choose to use.
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25. Leads
Here are several different types of
leads you can choose to use.
• Description • Satirical
• Allusion • Question
• Lists • Suspended
• Quotes
• Dialogue
• Poetry
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27. Leads
Descriptive Lead
– Use vivid details
– Include sights, smells and sounds
Between halves at the homecoming game, the court
and their escorts stepped out onto a soggy,
muddy football field under the anxious eyes of
over 6,000 students, teachers, and fighting
Indian fans.
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29. Leads
Allusion
– Reference some famous person, saying,
piece of literature or culture to set the
stage for writing.
T’was the night before Christmas and all
through the house, not a creature was
stirring, not even a mouse. The nylons were
hung on the door knows with….What?
Nylons? On door knobs? It was Christmas
with a twist.
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31. Leads
Lists
Sometimes less is more. A few well-chosen
words is enough.
Downing a donut. Munching some M & M’s. Sipping
a soda. Inhaling a latte.
These were parts of a typical balanced
teenage diet.
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33. Leads
Quotable Quote
Should say something shocking or unusual
Don’t make it up!
“I have an 89.4% in AP. I need to get an A on my next
text or I will die!” the distressed student moans. How
to study for an important test was major dilemma
for students.
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35. Leads
Dialogue
Start with a conversation
“So, what are you taking this semester?”
“World history, Algebra II, Health Sciences..”
“Did you say Health Sciences? What is that?”
“That’s where we learn how to do anesthesia,
repertory therapy, and CPR. “
Monday, August 17, 2009
37. Leads
Poetry
Can be original poetry, or a parody of something well-
known.
“It was time for school to start once more. No one
knew what it had in store. But all could look
around and see, things wouldn’t be as easy as one,
two, three.”
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39. Leads
Satirical Leads
Takes an event and “stretches the truth.”
Be sure the reader will know you are being satirical!
Willy Chilly, junior, shivered as he eyed the
thermometer during chemistry. Clad in his moon
boots, ski pants, scarf, hat mittens, and down
jacket, he reached underneath his desk to turn
on his electric blanket.
Monday, August 17, 2009
41. Leads
Question
Avoid questions with a “yes” or “no” answer.
Needs to include an answer.
Isn’t seven supposed to be a lucky number?
For some, yes, but for the men’s cross country team, no.
Monday, August 17, 2009
43. Leads
Suspended interest
Also known as a “teaser.”
Reader will read on to find out what you are
talking about.
They ran five miles to wrestle for two minutes.
For the wrestling team, getting in shape was a top priority.
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44. Copy Writing
Copy is the text, the story on the page.
While students first look
.
at the yearbook for the
pictures, the copy is what
they will come back to
ten years from now.
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45. Copy Writing
The rules of good writing apply. Your goal
is to make copy interesting
and informative.
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46. Copy Writing
Use words that awake the senses:
cool
juicy
stale
filthy
spicy
dusty
prickly
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57. Copy Writing
Special Rules for Yearbook writing
• Write in third person
• Write in past tense
• Don’t say “this year”
• Don’t say the school name
• Be sure your writing is about this year,
not general.
• DON’T EXPRESS YOUR OPINION!!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
59. Copy Writing
Include good quotes in your story
DON’T
“Everyone did a really good job,”
said Ms. Wilkins.
DO
“While I was waiting to make my speech, I
almost puked,” said Jessica, “ but I got
through it. I’m proud of myself.”
Monday, August 17, 2009
61. Writing Captions
Even if they don’t read the copy, they
read the captions. Here are some
simple rules for captions:
1. Write the first sentence
in present tense. The other
sentences are in past tense.
2. Give the full name of the people in
the picture. Be sure it is spelled correctly.
Monday, August 17, 2009
63. Writing Captions
Avoid stating the obvious
DON’T
Lisa Kim hits the ball over the net
DO
Captain Lisa Kim scores the final point in the
match against Daegu. Lisa was undefeated for
the season.
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65. Writing Captions
Give the facts, just the facts.
DON’T
Adam George thinks he’s going to make it past
those blockers, but he’s not. Adam is really
upset about this
DO After recovering a blocked field goal, Adam
George heads for the goal line. He was stopped
at the five yard line.
.
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67. Writing Captions
Vary your openings
• Don’t start them all with names
• Avoid using gerunds (“ing” words)
• Don’t start with prepositions (after,
before, on, during)
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68. Writing Captions
Let’s try writing a caption for this picture.
Monday, August 17, 2009
69. Reporting
Basic rule:
If your reporting isn’t good, your
writing can’t be good!
Monday, August 17, 2009
70. Reporting
Take notes at the event. Don’t rely on your
memory.
Get yourself a little notebook you can carry
with you.
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75. Reporting
Talk to people.
• The sponsor, coach, organizer (usually
before/after, not during the event.
• Participants.
• Spectators/audience members.
Ask them questions.
• Plan these is advance.
• Don’t just ask for a quote.
Monday, August 17, 2009
77. Reporting
Check, check, and double check the
spelling of names!!!
Think about how you feel when somebody
messes up your name.
Monday, August 17, 2009
78. Reporting
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK
QUESTIONS!!! DON’T GUESS, GO
AND CHECK!!!!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
