There are many ways to tell a story, but to entice readers to linger over the yearbook copy, the best writers follow basic story-telling rules. Most of those rules revolve around the stories of the people in the school. The events may not change year to year, but the people do, and how they participate in and react to those events makes each year unique. Consider these basic points ofcopy writing to tell the story of those people.
Covering the year chronologically is not as predominant as it once was, but there are good reasons for some schools to organize their yearbook coverage as events happen throughout the year.
Interviewing is a skill gained by following practical procedures. Good reporters, from local newspapers to national magazines, follow these procedures to get great stories. For yearbook writers looking for stories and details to capture the year, the same techniques will work for you.
There are as many ways to teach interviewing as there are advisers. Here are two advisers and their methods for teaching interviewing and reporting skills to beginning reporters.
Without deadlines, chaos would reign in the world of yearbooks. Nothing can be done to get rid of deadlines and the stress they cause. But technology can reduce the amount of time submission takes, providing more time at deadline. More time at deadline means less time being stressed.
The thought of taking your yearbook photography into the digital age is probably tempting on several different levels. And somewhere on the list, maybe you are thinking that this is finally your chance to get rid of the shoe boxes or file folders full of negatives and unused prints that have been cluttering up the yearbook room.
Richard McWherter, art teacher and yearbook adviser at Derry Area H.S. in Derry, Pa., has been included in the first edition of the international Who’s Who in the 21st Century for his exceptional contributions to photography and visual arts.
A note from doomed Russian submariner Dimitri Kolesnikov inspired TIME essayist Roger Rosenblatt to consider the reason compelling all human beings to record the events and relate the emotions that stir our lives. He concludes it is a basic human need for freedom.
As an educator, you are probably aware there is a plethora of resources and funding that can enhance your school, curriculum, program and even personal education.
The wonderful world of grants can provide those who seek them with a wide variety of resources like computers, technology training, textbooks, money to develop new programs, and money to enhance existing programs.
Is your school nearing its anniversary date? A time to reflect? How about your yearbook? Is it reaching a milestone?