Print bootcamp Sidebars
- 1. Copy editing V: Packaging information • Review last week’s assignment • Look at sidebars, graphs, infographics • Brainstorm sidebars for U-news stories
- 2. Visual elements help readers Articles aren’t always best format – too much grey type repels The Chronicle Herald
- 3. Visual elements Use add-ons like sidebars, fact boxes and glances to help readers visualize key details Add facts, figures and stats without interrupting story flow The Chronicle Herald
- 4. Visual elements Use key numbers to communicate quickly and clearly USA Today homepage features live count of US gov’t. shutdown cost
- 5. Use graphs and charts to show evidence to reader, help them draw conclusions/co mparisons
- 6. Alternative story forms “Alternative story forms seem to work best with fact-laden stories, providing a way to handle numbers, time, location and juxtaposition references in a simple, comparative way.” • Poynter Alternative story forms: Q & A Timeline Fact box By-the-numbers box
- 8. Main story: Why more guns on Halifax streets Sidebars: 1. What to do if you hear gunfire 2. No. of seizures in HRM 2012 vs. 2011 3. Rate of gun incidents in Canadian cities 4. Gun incident rates in N.S. communities Source: Chronicle Herald
- 9. Sidebars Explore another angle of story Break out statistics Show a timeline or background info Explain a process Round up key quotes Show Twitter reaction List highlights, tips, logistical details
- 10. Class exercises Look at news story and brainstorm possible sidebars. In groups, discuss U-news ideas and sidebar options.
- 11. Charts and graphs Use to illustrate social evolution, statistical comparisons, track trends Source: Wall Street Journal Graphics
- 12. Maps Illustrate where news happens – especially if no other art Use in stories dealing with geography, land or infrastructure development Image: National Post
- 13. Infographics USA Today cover from May 27, 2010 Illustrates BP oil spill “fix-it” strategy Can’t photograph it Text description lengthy and complicated Graphic simplifies it Source: http://newspaperdesign.ning.co m/group/graphics
Editor's Notes
- #7: Poynter did an eye-tracking study to measure how much readers retained from reading the same story, but in different formats. They had one of six versions of a story about bird flu. Alternative story forms helped readers remember the facts presented to them. The most visually graphic version won in terms of helping readers retain info.