THEME The Device That Bindsthe Book Together

Christy Rausin-Rost

THEME HAS A VISUAL Which shows how the theme looks

HAS A VERBAL TAGLINEWhich explains the theme

A Great

IDENTIFIERS

TypeColorShapePattern/Texture

Visual Theme

Theme Visuals Go on the

FoliosSecondary Story PackagesIndex Letter IndicatorsClosing

EndsheetTitle PageOpeningDividers

Cover

THEMES While your inspiration for a theme can come from many sources, there are some categories that have yielded many great themes through the years.

Types of

THEMES Anniversary

Anniversary themes can be tricky. Make sure you don’t abuse the “party/celebration” concept and that the focus is on the year, not on the history of the school.

High School 101Redondo Union High SchoolRedondo Beach, CA

TimelineOld Mill High SchoolMillersville, MD

The Bottom LineCorona del Sol High SchoolTempe, AZ

Select A ThemeDobson High SchoolMesa, AZ

THEMES School Initial

School initials might be a possibility for a fun concept if you are lucky enough to be able to make a play on words.

ELEast Lansing High SchoolEast Lansing, MI

So MeSouth Mecklenburg High SchoolCharlotte, NC

THEMES School Color

School colors are a favorite with many readers, but that does not mean you have to do it every year, be boring or traditional.

It’s Better in Black & WhiteSisters High SchoolSisters, OR

Once in a Blue MoonWest Henderson High SchoolHendersonville, NC

Too BlueWest Henderson High SchoolHendersonville, NC

THEMES Mascot

Mascot themes give the students a new look at a familiar campus figure.

What Drives You?Rodriguez High SchoolFairfield, CA

A Comet’s JourneyHalifax County High SchoolSouth Boston, VA

IconWhite Oak High SchoolWhite Oak, TX

THEMES School Name

Playing on the name of the school can be fun and these themes are often listed among reader favorites, but it only works if the word play is obvious.

TogetherWEstWest Henderson High SchoolHendersonville, NC

Basic ASBasic High SchoolHenderson, NV

Basic QuestionsBasic High SchoolHenderson, NV

THEMES Location

Location themes are limited to schools with obvious ties to street names or major geographic landmarks.

Off CentrePortage Central High SchoolPortage, MI

Bay to BayH.B. Plant High SchoolTampa, FL

THEMES Event

Events themes are based on a specific happening that truly affected the school.

The Ones to WatchRancho Milpitas Middle SchoolMilpitas, CA

Back on TrackRobert E. Lee High SchoolSpringfield, VA

THEMES Fun

“Fun” themes make use of contemporary graphics and/or fun phrases.

You are HereWalnut High SchoolWalnut, CA

Life is RandomNorthville High SchoolNorthville, MI

REEldorado High SchoolAlbuquerque, NM

THEMES Pride

Pride themes focus on spirit and student or school accomplishments.

Stand OutAtlee High SchoolMechanicsville, VA

Over the TopRobinson Secondary SchoolFairfax, VA

Endless PossibilitiesDesert Mountain High SchoolScottsdale, AZ

THEMES Reaction

Reaction themes provide the students with a chance to be heard, and typically make use of lots of quotes and first person stories.

InterviewTorrey Pines High SchoolSan Diego, CA

Our Own WordsMcEachern High SchoolPowder Springs, GA

THEMES Unity/Diversity

Unity/Diversity themes examine the school’s population and explain effects on the various aspects of school life.

+ (It All Adds Up)Temple City High SchoolTemple City, CA

IntersectionKansas State UniversityManhattan, KS

THEMES Change

Change themes need to be tied to the year with specific major changes in the school or its programs.

RedefinedArapahoe High SchoolCentennial, CO

In Transition,Westfield High SchoolChantilly, VA

THEMES Double-Edged

Double-Edged themes provide a comparison and contrast format with a serious side and lighter approach.

ContextChantilly High SchoolChantilly, VA

We CountStaples High SchoolWestport, CT

The Simple Things

are the Most ProfoundFoothill High SchoolPleasanton, CA

THEMES Contemplative

Contemplative themes ask the reader to think about school or life.

I AmOak Hall SchoolGainesville, FL

EssentialsLafayette High SchoolWildwood, MO

THEMES Concept

Concept themes use words or phrases to tell the story of the year based on a central idea.

Freeze FrameEast Lansing High SchoolEast Lansing, MI

TrafficPelham Memorial High SchoolPelham, NY

In Transition,Westfield High SchoolChantilly, VA

THEME Test Your

Repeatable?Relevant?Refreshing?Realistic?

Recognizable?Is It

Rethink It

RepeatableRelevantRefreshingRealistic

RecognizableIf It’s NOT

It’s Time to

THANK YOU