Creating Theme Copy that Truly Has Voice

Lizabeth A. Walsh, MJE

Theme copy attributesJust like regular writing, theme copy has traits

VoiceOrganizationIdeasConventions

Voice (the tone or Voice (the tone or attitude)attitude)

Clear

Tied to the words of the theme

Connected to the design of the book

OrganizationOrganization

Thoughts need to flow logically from one to the next

Transitions are important

Introduction, body, conclusion

Opening, divisions, closing

IdeasIdeas What is important enough to go in

here?

Where do we find ideas for theme-related copy?

Should someone be quoted? If so, who?

Remember to be concise. Don’t use three words if two will do.

ConventionsConventions AP style still rules the roost.

Punctuation, spelling, grammar- even more important when copy is in larger type and mistakes are easier to see.

Pick a person* and stick to it. (*see voice) 1st person- I, me, my, mine, we, our, ours 2nd person- you, your, yours, you’re 3rd person- students, people, he, she, it, his,

hers, him, her, they, them, their, theirs, they’re

Note graphic elementson cover

Exterior case blocks part of message and alters its meaning

Suffix “less” alters meaning

Handwritten font

Deconstructed bold all-caps type

Note graphic elementson cover

Reversed type with textured font

Orange & red blocks of color

Tiled photos depicting spiritedstudents

Sans serif, all cap type

Angled, pattern lines

How to get there…Theme should be specific to your

school, your year, and your students.Use a thesaurus & an idiom

dictionaryPlay with (sort) words and phrases

Some will be for sidebars, others for theme, a few for both

Brainstorm actual copy using those words and phrases that that stood out as “most important concepts.”

PracticePractice

Theme: It’s About Time

Thesaurus http://thesaurus.com

Idiom Dictionary (print versions work best)

Short list of Outstanding Concepts

Create five sentences of theme copy

More More Theme Copy ExamplesTheme Copy Examples

All materials presented…

Remain the property and copyright of the various owners of the original works. These yearbook samples were presented at BALFOUR workshops for the benefit of their clients and customers.Please do not alter these presentations.Use of these shows is intended only for individual adviser-to-staff classroom teaching, not for publication or reproduction in any form for any type of presentation at a conference, camp, convention, or gathering of multiple schools’ staffs.