1. Dawn Squires

2.  Usually created with desktop publishing software  Word has desktop publishing features and can be used.  We will create newsletters with Word and Publisher.

3.  Usually target a specific audience  Usually prepared/printed periodically – weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.  We will create a 3 column, that includes images and wrap-around text.

4.  Nameplate/banner  Top part of newsletter that contains the title and information about issue  Issue information line  Specific information and the publication  Ruling line  Horizontal/vertical rule  Used to separate areas of the newsletter

5.  Subhead  Heading contained in the body of the newsletter  Are usually a serif type font to stand out from body and gain reader’s attention  Pull-Quote  Text that is pulled – copied – from the body of the newsletter  Used to add visual interest – a type of graphic

6. 1.Create the nameplate a.May be vertical or horizontal b.Usually centered c.May include text and/or graphics 2.Determine body content a.Usually contains a couple of articles b.Make sure articles are interest to audience c.Provide visual interest with graphics, pull-quotes & ruling lines 3.Distribution a.Will it be mailed? Put in public places? Posted on web? b.Printed ones are usually folded & stapled. c.If online, make sure it is in a format that most computer will recognize. d.May need to convert it to a PDF document to protect its contents and ensure it can be read regardless of software.

7.  With Office 2007, a conversion tool is freely available to convert document to a portable document format.  This helps combat the problem of which version of Word to save the document in.

8.  Will promote career & technical education  We will assume it will be printed for distribution.  We will create a logo for our CTAE program.  Logo will be used in nameplate.

9.  Remember, it should  Be an attention grabber  Entice people to read the newsletter  Might want to put a slogan in it  May include a logo or graphic image  Should be short  May it stand out  Consider colors  No clutter  Rulings can be used

10.  Write the body content.  Should be interesting  Consider if it’s to share information or promote something.  Usually body is in columns  Include a jump to line and a jump from line if the article is contained on two pages.  Be consistent from one issue of the newsletter to the next. Always keep announcements, etc., in the same location in the newsletter.

11.  White Space  Be generous with it.  It allows the readers eyes to rest while reading.  Text too close together looks crowded.  Color  Use colors that blend with the nameplate.  Too much color can be overwhelming.  Don’t use color for the text unless it is for emphasis.  Subheads  Use subheads with as few words as possible.  Use larger font, bold, etc.  Be consistent with subheads.

12.  Vertical lines (rules)  Use them to guide the reader through the document.  Visual Aids  Give a newsletter vigor.  Add emphasis  Visual Aid Types  Graphics  Pull-quotes  Drop caps

13.  When drafting a newsletter, one must consider output... How the newsletter will be distributed?  If printed, it is best to use a serif font for the body.  Serif fonts allow the eye to scan the lines more easily.  If newsletter will be viewed over the computer, sans serif fonts are best for the body.  Resolutions on computer monitors vary.  Serif fonts appear “muddy” on computer monitors.  Sans Serif fonts are easier to read on computer monitors and should be used in the body.