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