Glossary of Journalistic Terms

and Staff Position Descriptions

Just the Beginning ...

Audience:  who the yearbook will be primarily directed toward. Additional groups of people     could be considered as secondary audiences.

Closing:  finishes the story of the year and brings the book to closure.

Caption:  identify people in photos and give more information about what is going on

Copy:  jargon for the words printed on a page.

Cover:  provides the first impression of your yearbook and sets the stage for what follows.

Dividers:  indicate new sections and provide continuity throughout the book.

Endsheets:  the heavy paper inside the cover usually used as signing space by your friends, used to hold the yearbook together. May be designed to complement the cover.

Function:  the purpose for producing a yearbook.

Headlines:  summarize and draw readers to content.

Ladder:  the organizational chart used to place page content and section configuration; also may list deadlines and keep track of progress.

Multiples:  eight pages on one side of a press sheet indicated by shading on the ladder, color is purchased in multiples.

Opening Section:  introduces the story of the year and explains the book concept.

Sections:  pages that have similar content such as student life, organizations, people, academics, sports, advertising/community.

Signature:  groupings of pages that are printed on the same press sheet, folded into 16-page mini-booklets; signatures are bound together to make a complete book.

Size:  three standard sizes are available at different prices; size 7 = 8”x10 ¾”, size 8 = 8 ¾” x 11 ¼”, size 9 = 9 ¼”x 12 ¼”.

Theme:  captures a year’s uniqueness and sets the tone for the story of the year; provides a recognizable, relevant and repeatable concept.

Timeline:  The amount of time a yearbook covers. Traditionally, The Caughnawagan has covered the Spring Sports calendar through the start of the next school year and on to mid-March in that same school year (April - March).

Title Page:  the first page; provides critical information about the school and year.

 Staff Position Descriptions

Editor-In-Chief: This is the person who oversees the entire production of the yearbook. This position requires strong leadership and problem solving skills and the ability to clearly communicate with the yearbook staff and adults. Must be willing to work as hard if not harder than any other staff member.

Business Manager: This person works closely with every editor to keep track of money, ordering, distribution and fund raising. Must organize, keep, and turn in accurate financial records to the FFCS Business Office.

Marketing Director: In charge of all yearbook advertisement to the student body, parents, faculty and staff as well as potential advertisers; work with Editor in Chief, Business Manager, Ad Section Editor and all staff members; create distribution plan for yearbooks.

Fund Raising Chair: Will research fund raising options, develop the ideas, file papers with Student Government, and keep accurate records of each event with the Business Manager. This is a year-long endeavor.

Ad Section Editor: Work with Marketing Director to edit and add to current advertising lists; assist in setting required pricing for ads; organize and maintain records for each staff member and business contacts made; work with Editor-in-Chief to establish pages on ladder; oversee and develop ads for pages and provide proofs when necessary to advertising customers.

Sr. Section Editor: Work with Editor-in-Chief to establish pages on ladder; create announcements for all senior communication throughout the year; maintain communication with class advisors and officers as necessary; responsible for keeping updated senior lists (a lot changes throughout the year); ultimately responsible for Senior pages including layout, photos, quotes or any additional information to be included as decided by the staff; works with Marketing Director on Senior Class distribution of yearbooks.

Underclassmen Editor: Work with Editor-in-Chief to establish pages on ladder; organize and update student lists; develop layout for each class; maintain communication with class advisors and officers as necessary; maintain communication with production plant for panel flow questions or editing of pictures and names; work with Marketing Director on Underclassmen distribution of yearbooks.

Faculty/Staff Editor: Create questionnaires and schedules for faculty and staff pictures; maintain records for spelling accuracy; develop page layout; work with Editor-in-Chief to establish pages on ladder.

Sports Editor: In charge of all annual sports coverage for the yearbook; work with Editor-in-Chief to prepare ladder; create schedules for pictures and assign pages to other staff members as well as self for completion; must review all pages ready for submission to publisher.

Clubs/Activities Editor: Create and maintain avenues for clear communication with all club and activity advisors; work with Editor-in-Chief to prepare ladder; organize staff with interview questions and roster requests; work with staff on page layout and inclusion options.

Special Pages Editor: These pages may be scattered throughout the book and may include the following: dedication, memorial, section dividers, table of contents, class picture, candid pages, etc. Work with Editor-in-Chief to prepare ladder; work with staff to develop content of pages, arrange photo schedule and write copy.

Photo Editor: Work with entire staff to choose photos, arrange photo coverage for events, sign out cameras, maintain photo files, catalog and return hard copy photos; develop and maintain quality throughout book, develop understanding and skill with photo editing software; guide staff with photo quality.

Multimedia Editor: This position requires tremendous dedication. Work with digital camcorder and movie making software to develop Senior DVD; maintain accurate records of seniors in class for inclusion in DVD; cover school events throughout the year to capture quality footage and photos for inclusion; organize and edit digital information; burn DVDs and prepare for distribution.

Staff: Have you heard the phrase, "Never a dull moment"? Even if you are an Editor you will hold a staff position and work within another section of the yearbook. Example - Clubs/Activities Editor may still be responsible to work with the Sports Editor and develop a sports double page spread. Everyone will be creating pages using the publishing software.

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