First-hand observation can help you bring readers into the same experience you have had. Look, don't just see. Listen, don't just hear. Record the ways in which you see others act and react.

Some of the most exciting angles of coverage of an activity or event come from behind-the-scenes.

While in attendance, consider everyone else a potential source. When looking for story specifics, seek out information that is new or different. How did the event differ from last year? In what different ways did the participants experience the activity or event?

More details will give your story credibility and interest. Isolate and include details that are colorful and not obvious. Sharp details take readers to the activity or event with sights, sounds, smells, textures, tastes and emotions.

Fundamental to professional journalism, the who, what, when, where, why and how also provide the foundation for the yearbook information gathering. However, don't simply ask six questions; rather formulate a lengthy list of questions based on the five Ws and H.

Background information helps you to understand the nature of the story and to have a good idea what readers might want to know. It also assists you in shaping more meaningful questions for polls/surveys and one-on-one interviews.

Past volumes of the yearbook and issues of school and local newspapers can give you a start on the history of the activity or event as well as the angles which have been covered in the past.

Interviewing a source for background information will set the stage for future interviews and may suggest additional questions.

provide information about your students. For a survey develop a series of simple questions and ask 10 people. Their responses are material for a story based on a sampling of students.

A poll provides more scientific information than a survey because it requires that you get feedback from more people. Plan to poll at least 10 percent of your group - of seniors, athletes, student body.

The specific location from which a photo is shot. Variety in angle creates more interesting photography and can tell the story in different ways.

A photo shot from above, taken from a high angle.

Primary subject that catches readers' attention first. Should be the focal point or dominant element within

See image

Position or arrangement of the elements in a photo; content of a photo.

Editing the image area to be reproduced. Cropping enhances a photo's visual impact by removing dead space from the sides, top or bottom.

A horizontal or vertical orientation for a photograph. A variety in format makes a spread or module more interesting.

Composing a photo so that the subject is surrounded (framed) by content — sky, ground, people, architecture — that highlights the subject.

A photo composition technique in which real or imaginary lines in a photo lead the eye to the dominant element, primary subject or center of interest.

A photo composition technique in which texture, lines or another visual element repeats in the photo.

A method of dividing the photograph into thirds vertically and horizontally creating four intersection points. The main subject should usually fall into one of the intersecting points, a little off-center in the photo.

A complete visual story that results from shooting before, during and after the event or activity.

Matching the dimensions of the original photo to the proportions of a photo module on a design. A horizontal photo cannot fit into a vertical space and vice versa.

The main focus of a photo (a single person, a couple, a small group, a large group). Varying the number of people in photos tells different stories.

A photo shot from below, or a ground-level angle.

A photo composition technique in which texture, lines or another visual element repeats in the photo.

Promotes unique angle of the story; Showcases the most interesting details; Includes details readers don't know; Establishes thread of unity for the story

Lead

Captures tone or mood of story; Effectively follows up the angle of lead; Tells unique story from single viewpoint; Adds substantial information/opinion.

Quote

Logically bridges quotes before & after; Provides readers 2-3 new facts/figures; Cohesively emphasizes the lead angle; Shares research, poll/survey results.

Transition

Flows naturally after quote or transition; Contributes new information, insights; Concludes story referencing tone/mood/angle of lead.

Conclusion

Always use research to shape the questions for your polls, surveys and interviews. Carefully worded questions most often result in storytelling quotes.

Yes/no and other short answer questions can give you information that is vital to telling the story. Example: Did you play volleyball before this year?

"Essay" questions can give your sources an opportunity to tell a story, give their opinions, express reactions. Example: Tell me about how you prepared for each volleyball game.

These are questions that you may not have considered when making your list, but which surface during the interview. Often, these impromptu questions provide great material for the story. Example: Tell me more about the pre-game ritual you just mentioned.

For polls and surveys, the multiple choice question provides great opportunity for infographics. Make sure that there is a choice for every participant in the answer set. Example: Select your favorite part of being on the volleyball team: a.) working hard at practice b.) being part of a team c.) winning games d.) making new friends e.) all of the above

Questions using a number scale or priority ranking also can provide statistical insights. Example: On a scale of 1-10, one being horrible and 10 being the best experience of your life, how would you rate this volleyball season?

Though different formats can be used, writing should be tight and lively. Most often stories are written in past tense since information is presented after the fact. Avoid passive voice whenever you can use active. Use "Joe hit the ball" instead of "The ball was hit by Joe." For more exciting reading, let the subject of the sentence take action.

Visual nouns create mental pictures for your readers. Choose descriptive nouns that identify individuals and groups by the actions they take. Avoid students, members and players, opting for more image-evoking nouns such as chemists, percussionists and offensive line.

Short sentences and paragraphs are easier to read. Keep your sentences clear and concise. Your paragraphs should be kept to one or two sentences.

strong words used to make writing lively and interesting