Page 56 - Jostens Yearbook_Adviser Guide

TELL ME MORE

SPIN-OFFS

3.1 THE WHAT, WHEN GOOD TO GO THEMES Outside of the yearbook room,
students and teachers often have
Good to Go themes are exactly that—pre-made themes little understanding of what went into
AND WHY OF THEME ready to go. Find one that fits for your school in the Yearbook determining a theme. Once it’s boiled
down to a short slogan—sometimes
Avenue Digital Classroom by searching “Theme Shopping” and
start building. OR, use these as inspiration. Show students only one or two words—a theme can
how to develop a theme using spin-offs and sections with come off as a little too esoteric.
these examples.
WHAT Creating spin-offs, or verbal plays
THEME: GET THIS on the yearbook theme, helps reach
A theme unifies and gives the story of the year a unique personality and approach. Spin-offs: the books audience. They are often
A strong theme presentation unifies the yearbook verbally and visually. ■ Student life—Get a life showcased on division pages, the
■ Verbally: Theme statements are similar to slogans used in television commercials ■ Academics—Get smart pages that separate one section from
and magazine advertisements. The theme catch phrase, just like an advertising ■ Organizations—Get involved the next, and run throughout the
slogan, summarizes the product and creates its image with a few dynamic words. ■ section in sidebars.
These words might include lingo or phrasing that appeals to the audience. Sports—Get going Some are even used as page or content
■ People—Getting to know you
■ Visually: The theme presentation unifies the book visually through a variety of module headlines. Spin-offs give an
techniques including a consistent graphic look. ■ Advertising—Getting support alternate description of the theme

THEME: TIME AFTER TIME and can add emphasis to words or
WHEN Spin-offs: concepts that are essential to the
■ Student life—Time of your life theme’s deeper meaning.
Theme development should not be arbitrary. Like other journalistic devices, it is held to
specific standards, including relevance and timeliness. The best theme ideas hold a place ■ Academics—Test time EXAMPLE:
of relevance to a specific moment of time. ■ Organizations—Giving time Theme: Our Journey
■ Sports—Time out
Students should seek inspiration in unique events and happenings related to a Similar words:
particular year. Relevant school-related events, such as the opening of a new building, ■ People—Timeless faces
implementation of a block schedule, switching from open to closed campus, the passage/ ■ Advertising —Signs of the times ■ quest
failure of a bond election, or celebration of a school anniversary are all unique happenings ■ adventure
that could inspire a theme. World events like a presidential election and current trends in THEME: HOW YOU SAY IT ■
television, film, and technology might also serve as thematic inspiration. Simply put, some Spin-offs: trip
of the strongest themes could not be done in any other school year. ■ Student Life—Buzz ■ voyage
■ Academic—Discuss ■ odyssey
WHY ■ Clubs and Organizations—Babble ■ trek
■ Sports—Cheer
Putting together a comprehensive theme is a lot of work, so it’s natural to think, why
bother? However, no other element contributes as much to a feeling of community as ■ People—Chat Similar ideas:
theme. ■ Advertising—Pitch ■ In This Together
Theme makes it easy to capture reader-focused experiences in an intimate way. When THEME: WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? ■ On the Road
theme statements involve school colors or the mascot, they can reflect both school and Spin-offs: ■ Packing Up
personal pride. Meaningful theme concepts inspire personal perspectives, framing them in ■ Student life—How’s life?
“you/yours, we/ours, and I/me/mine” experiences. ■ Academics—What do you know?

Remember: the theme should be relatable to all students and give context to the stories ■ Organizations—When do you find time?
of the year, avoiding overly repetitive words and cliché phrases. The theme concept ideally ■ Sports—Why play?
adds layers of texture with a graphic strategy that breathes life into the look and feel of ■ People—Who says?
the yearbook.

56 SECTION 3.1 THE WHAT, WHEN AND WHY OF THEME