Language+Arts+in+Yearbook

=Language Arts in Yearbook= Students will learn the following journalism skills:
 * Journalistic style of writing
 * Active voice vs. passive voice
 * Desktop publishing
 * Using Adobe InDesign
 * Page layout and design
 * Interviewing school students and personnel for pages
 * Editing student work
 * Appropriate content
 * Format consistency
 * Accurate coverage of school events
 * Spelling and grammar
 * Broad range of student coverage

Caption Writing
Our goal is for the book to appear as though it was written by one person. To accomplish this task, we use the same caption writing formula, as follows:
 * **Lead-in.** The lead-in is a mini-headline that draws the reader to the photo. Your goal is to write a lead-in that is so good that it draws the reader to that photo first.
 * **First sentence.** The first sentence is present tense and active voice. This sentence describes the action in the photo and answers as many of the 5 W's and H as possible (see Inverted Pyramid). Use grade level and first and last names when identifying students (Sophomore John Public.....for example).
 * **Second and third sentences.** Second sentences are required, use third sentences if you have enough information. These sentences are past tense and answer any of the 5 W's and H that were not used in the first sentence (see Inverted Pyramid). These sentences should be about the yearbook page first, then about the student. To make the caption more personal for the reader, use only the first name of the student(s) in the photo.

Inverted Pyramid
Think of journalistic writing as an **inverted pyramid.** The top contains only one or two sentences with the most important information first; this is called the lead (pronounced //leed// and sometimes spelled "lede"). Next, a little more information is given about the story, and so on, until all of the information has been given. Answer **Who, What, Where, When and How** to the best of your ability in all captions. The inverted pyramid principle says you should put your most important point at the top of the article, followed by your next most important point, and so on, in diminishing order of importance. Many historians say that the inverted pyramid was invented by 19th century wartime reporters, who sent their stories by telegraph. They wanted the most crucial information to get through first, just in case the transmission was interrupted. But, you say, we don’t send many telegrams today. Ah, but more than ever, we do send messages that can easily be interrupted! Distraction, impatience, confusion, even boredom; all these can keep your reader from finishing those precious words that you’ve written. Busy people expect writers to get to the meat quickly, or they’ll find something else to read.

More journalism basics
**Multiple Sources:** The more people you talk to, the better the article. You can use direct quotes or paraphrase what someone says, but always remember to identify who says what. **Sentence Length:** Sentences should have an average of 20-28 words. This is an average, so you don’t need to spend time counting; just be aware that sentences and paragraphs are much shorter than what you’ve been taught with composition.
 * Tone:** Your job as a reporter is to report facts and the opinions of others and to leave your own opinions out of the story. The term for introducing your own opinion into a story is called //editorializing// – do not do this!

**Terms to Know:** **5Ws and H:** Always answer the who, what, why, where, when, and how of the news article. **Lead:** The opening of a story, usually a summary of the most important information. **Headline:** A title or attention grabber above the body of an article. The author of the story usually does not write the headline. **Angle:** A particular point of view or way of looking at a subject. **Fact-checking:** Checking that your facts are correct. Amy, Aymee, and Amie are all pronounced the same way and can be easily misspelled. Look up the names of specific people and places and anything else you are presenting as fact to be sure you are stating the truth.