2015 alternative copy

• Most of your students can read.

Why write stories? Why write stories? Our students don’t read themOur students don’t read them

• Most of them will read something that interests them.

• Focus on whatFocus on what’s new ’s new

• Appeal to readersAppeal to readers’emotions’emotions

• Include facts & figuresInclude facts & figures

Become storytellersBecome storytellers

Types of Alternative CopyTypes of Alternative Copy

Q & AQ & A

• Find a person with a story to tell.Find a person with a story to tell.

• Frame questions so there is a beginning, Frame questions so there is a beginning, a middle and an end to the story.a middle and an end to the story.

• These are not random questions. These are not random questions. The goal is to capture the person’s story.The goal is to capture the person’s story.

Q & AQ & A


Story-telling CaptionStory-telling Caption

• Select a picture that will fascinate the Select a picture that will fascinate the readers.readers.

• Tell them more. Write a short feature Tell them more. Write a short feature story or relate an anecdotal, first-person story or relate an anecdotal, first-person account.account.

STORY-TELLING CAPTIONSTORY-TELLING CAPTION


MultiplesMultiples

• When there are too many things to When there are too many things to cover and too few pages to cover them, cover and too few pages to cover them, run multiple sports, clubs and classes on run multiple sports, clubs and classes on one spread.one spread.

• Write 3-5 sentences for each one & Write 3-5 sentences for each one & include a GREAT quote.include a GREAT quote.

MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS

MULTIPLE CLASSES

MULTIPLE GROUPSMULTIPLE GROUPS

MULTIPLE SPORTSMULTIPLE SPORTS


QuotesQuotes

• If 12 witnesses see the same event, If 12 witnesses see the same event, each one will offer a unique perspective.each one will offer a unique perspective. • Include quotes from a wide variety of Include quotes from a wide variety of students.students.

OPINIONSOPINIONS

OPINIONSPINIONS

FAVORITE MOMENT QUOTES


Day-by-dayDay-by-day

• This format provides a calendar-like This format provides a calendar-like progression. progression.

• Include quotes from a wide variety of Include quotes from a wide variety of students.students.

DAY-BY-DAYDAY-BY-DAY


CalendarsCalendars

• Calendars offer a meaningful overview of Calendars offer a meaningful overview of a month or a season. a month or a season.

• Create a structure and then fill it with Create a structure and then fill it with facts, figures, quotes and pictures.facts, figures, quotes and pictures.

CALENDAR

CALENDARCALENDAR


SubheadsSubheads

• Subheads break up long copy blocks Subheads break up long copy blocks

• Create a structure and then fill it with Create a structure and then fill it with facts, figures, quotes and pictures.facts, figures, quotes and pictures.

SUBHEADSSUBHEADS

SUMMARY SENTENCES


TimelinesTimelines

• Like day-by-day coverage, timelines Like day-by-day coverage, timelines capture the sequence of events.capture the sequence of events.

• The challenge is to fill the space with The challenge is to fill the space with meaningful quotes and photos.meaningful quotes and photos.

• Avoid the temptation to simply list Avoid the temptation to simply list activities.activities.

TIMELINETIMELINE

TypesTypes of Alternative Copyof Alternative Copy

Magazine styleMagazine style

• This format features short copy with photos on a variety of topics.

• Emphasis is on activities or events that don’t dictate an entire spread.

• Content may or may not be related.

MAGAZINE

Types of Alternative Copy

How-toHow-to

• Use this format when explanations are Use this format when explanations are either necessary or fun.either necessary or fun.

• Think of things that may need an Think of things that may need an explanation.explanation.

• Make it fun. Make it fun.

HOW-TOHOW-TO

HOW-TO


InteractiveInteractive• Have readers interact with the book.ve readers interact with the book.

• Magazines do it!Magazines do it!

• Let the subject matter and/or the theme Let the subject matter and/or the theme direct your interactive strategy. direct your interactive strategy.

INTERACTIVEINTERACTIVE

INTERACTIVE


DefinitionsDefinitions

• Every sport has a specialized language.Every sport has a specialized language.

• Classes also have technical vocabulary Classes also have technical vocabulary that students may not be familiar with. that students may not be familiar with.

DEFINITIONS


Linear Pull-outs with Linear Pull-outs with QuotesQuotes

•Quick way to convey information.Quick way to convey information.

LINEAR PULL-OUTS


Numbered ListsNumbered Lists

•Quick way to convey informationQuick way to convey information

• Breaks up traditional designBreaks up traditional design

NUMBERED LIST


InfographicsInfographics

•Quick way to convey informationQuick way to convey information

• Breaks up traditional designBreaks up traditional design

INFOGRAPHICS


HighlightsHighlights

• Emphasizes primary pointsEmphasizes primary points

• Allows for asidesAllows for asides

HIGHLIGHTS


IdentificationsIdentifications

• SimpleSimple

• Features a number of studentsFeatures a number of students

IDENTIFICATIONSIDENTIFICATIONS

OTHER – Do whatever works.

2015 alternative copy

Education