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