A yearbook isn't just a collection of photos and names, it's a storybook. It tells the story of your school, your community, and the people who made this year what it was. Your job as a writer is to capture it all in a way that's clear, honest, and meaningful. Here's how to get started:

THINK LIKE A JOURNALIST

Your job isn't to write your opinion, it's to report what happened. That means:

• writing in third person ("they", "he", "she").
• checking your facts (even the spelling of names).
• telling both sides of the story when needed.
• let the reader decide what to think.
  
  

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Who's going to read your article? Students? Teachers? Parents? Probably all of the above. So write in a way that makes sense to everybody:

• Avoid inside jokes or slang that only a few people will get.
• Explain things clearly (not everyone knows what "DECA" or "FFA" stands for).
• Keep it friendly, but professional.
  
  

KEEP IT SIMPLE

You don't need to sound like a textbook. Use short sentences, clear language, and paragraphs that are easy to follow. Aim for:

• paragraphs under 40 words.
• sentences that get to the point.
• words your reader actually uses (but still follow grammar rules).
  
  

BE SPECIFIC

Vague writing is forgettable. Specific writing sticks. Instead of "The team had a great season." try "The team finished with a 7-2 record and made it to the regional finals." Details make your writing stronger and more interesting.

USE ACTIVE VOICE

Active voice makes your writing more direct and engaging.

• ACTIVE: "The Robotics Team built a working drone."
• PASSIVE: "A working drone was built by the Robotics Team."

See the difference? One feels alive, the other feels like a report card comment.

READ IT OUT LOUD

Seriously, this works! Reading your writing out loud helps you:

• catch awkward phrasing.
• hear if sentences flow.
• notice if something is missing.

If it sounds weird when you say it, it'll probably read weird too.

SKIP THE SLANG

Not everyone knows "The Pit" is the drama room, or that "Coach T." is Mr. Thompson. Use full names and clear terms so your writing makes sense to everyone, even when someone is reading it 10 years from now.

TEAM UP WITH THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Need help proofreading? Want to sharpen your writing skills? Hot tip, your school's English teachers are a great resource! They can help polish your work.