Post on 01-Apr-2015
Write Up Your Alley
New Ideas for
Alternative Copy
Presented by Katy Burnside
What is Alternative Copy?• Quote Boxes• Bio Boxes• Features• Lists• Infographics• Time Lines• Q & A Boxes
• He Said/She Said Boxes
• Did You Know? Boxes• Anecdotes• Narratives• Fact/Detail Lists • Scatter Stories
Why Use Alternative Copy?
• Increases coverage of students• Provides more information in a shorter format• Draws reader into the spread• Allows for theme development• Prevents editorializing• Makes coverage more INTERESTING!
Copy Idea
How well do you know your…
• Student council officers
• Head coaches
• Classmates
• Administrators
Copy Idea
Try a glossary of
sports terms or
academic terms
or trends
Copy Idea
Profile a student :by having him/her “Sound Off” on various topics
Consider giving the same topic to a number of different students if opinions vary
Copy Idea
Meet the:
captains
officers
managers
coaches
teachers
members
Copy Idea
The Good and The Bad of…
• Dating
• Jobs
• Student Council
• Physics
• Pets
• Siblings
• Hats
• Computers
• The War in Iraq
Copy Ideas
What’s on your to-do list that you
never accomplish?
What SHOULD be on your to-do list?
What would your best friend add to
your to-do list?
Copy Ideas
Tell the behind-the-scene BEFORE stories:
• Preparations for the rival game
• Preparations for homecoming
• Preparations for the school Play
Copy Idea
A “list” approach is appealing to the scan reader
Copy Idea
tips from the trainer, question from a fan,
quarterback’s insight
Copy Idea
Basic interviewing techniques remain the same
Here, the entire interview is featured
Use this in any section of the book.
Copy Ideas
• Ask the Expert:
Academics (a student or a teacher)
Sports (an athlete, trainer, coach)
Student Life/People (any student who is considered very knowledgeable on the topic at hand)
Community (a student volunteer)
Clubs (the president)
Copy Ideas
Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced:
Freshman/Sophomore/Junior/Senior
Student/Teacher
Athlete/Coach/Manager
Copy Idea
Great twist for a fads/fashions spread
Copy Ideas
Checklists could include:
• Asking someone to prom
• Surviving a blind date
• Decorating for homecoming
• Building a float
• Studying for finals
• Getting ready for school
Copy Idea
A profile linked with a quote from the person being interviewed adds personality & voice to a feature
Copy Idea
An hour-by-hour breakdown is easy to read and contains very specific information
Copy Idea
Fact box +
a first-person profile written in Q&A style
Copy Idea
Track the drill team’s summer camp or the band’s trip to Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Copy Idea
Profile boxes with stats; conclusions he said/she said;
great Homecoming/Prom/Dating spread idea
Copy Idea
A new twist on the multiple choice format
The answers are already marked for the reader
The “wrong” answers are “over the edge” and humorous
Caution: Be careful! Attempts at humor can become tasteless very quickly
Copy Idea
Profile several students at once
Think about ways to link random students together with a common denominator:
• Sports
• Community service
• Leadership roles: Student Council
Drum Major JROTC Captains of teams
Copy Idea
A “30 Reasons” list provides an opportunity for 30 people to respond to a prompt
Numbered lists are great ways to reinforce anniversary themes
Copy Idea
Spice up academics coverage by listing various academics related tasks: best time to study for a test; to write the
term paper; etc.
Quote students in the “WHY” column