Writing: Tell Me A Story 2023

Objective: In this lesson, I can: • Define the criteria for types of sidebars. • Identify various styles of sidebars.

As readers increasingly demand information presented in a visual manner, yearbooks must adapt. Sidebars allow yearbook staffs to combine design, graphics and words to present information in a visually interesting way. A sidebar is a small feature story that complements the main story on a spread. Use sidebars to record details and free up space for feature coverage, provide team and player stats, or to feature mini profiles about interesting people involved in clubs and activities as well as a host other information that will add to the coverage of the year. It should either cover important information that will complete the coverage or provide interesting “insider” information that goes beyond the expected coverage. Consider these criteria as you consider the types of information that would be appropriate for a sidebar. • A sidebar should present interesting and informative facts and short stories that the reader wants to know. • Information in a sidebar should be presented in a visually compelling and easily digested manner. • Take Goldilocks’ advice: the length of an infographic must be “just right.” Not so long that it’s overwhelming, not so short that it isn’t worth the reader’s attention. • Be sure to provide appropriate attribution that either explains how the information was gathered or cites the source of the information. • The design of all types of infographics should coordinate with and further the graphic theme using the same fonts. However, to tie the sidebar to the spread it appears on, its color palette should echo or coordinate with the palette of the spread. • Various types of infographics should have titles that spin off of the theme phrase, similar to section titles. • If you can do an Internet search and find the information included in your sidebar, it isn’t sidebar material.

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