Writing Tips...

Some Tips for Writing a Yearbook Story

Pre-planning:

When writing a story for a yearbook, do a little planning in advance. It may be wise to look at how the same event was covered in previous yearbooks to get a feel for the basics of what you need to do, but more importantly, to get an idea of how you can make your story more unique.

Interviews:

Conducting an interview to add supporting material to your story is a good choice. An interview can make the story/feature feel more engaging and personal. A variety of sources can also give your story more credibility.

At the actual event (if applicable):

While at the event, you’re not just there to take photos. You’re also there to record or remember the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes you encounter. Be sure to take notes on crucial imagery that can enhance your story so that you don’t have to rely on memory.

Writing a lead:

The lead is the first sentence of the story, sets the tone, and gets the readers’ attention. Grabbing the attention is key, especially in the yearbook, because so many people only tend to look at the pictures. Include the 5 W’s and H of journalistic writing (who, what, when, where, how and why)!

Some writing guidelines for yearbook stories:

• · Write in the past tense and use the active voice.
• · Introduce the story with an attention-grabbing lead.
• · Keep your sentences and paragraphs short.
• · Name an unexpected outcome from the event.
• · Incorporate interesting and descriptive quotes.