yearbook
boot
camp
from START to FINISH
with Sabrina Cady, CJE, and Jim Jordan
Sabrina models how to conduct an interview that uncovers a compelling story angle, using her phone call with Jim as an example. Staffs will complete their interviews and identify a strong, focused angle for storytelling.
YOUR OBJECTIVES
- Write open-ended questions
- Record your interview
- Review your notes or transcript
- Choose a focused, specific story angle
- Submit your interview notes and identified angle
This session breaks down the journalistic copywriting process: pulling quotes, crafting transitions, writing strong leads and shaping natural story endings. It also covers how to brainstorm engaging headlines and subheads from your content. Staffs will begin writing their copy and developing their headlines based on the steps provided.
YOUR OBJECTIVES
- Pull quotes that support your story angle
- Write a lead that hooks the reader
- Add transitions between quotes and background info
- End with a natural conclusion
- Write a short feature-style headline and a sentence-style subhead
- Submit your story draft with headline and subhead
Sabrina and Jim walk you through creating mods, short visual storytelling elements that enhance your spread. Learn to brainstorm ideas, pull data or quotes and connect these extras to your main story and theme.
YOUR OBJECTIVES
- Look for extra quotes, facts or side details from your interview
- Brainstorm at least two mod formats from the checklist (examples include Q&A, Top 5, Poll, Timeline)
- Write and format the content for each mod
- Submit your mod text and rough layout sketches
SECONDARY SOURCES
Learn how to choose compelling, story-driven photos and write captions that do more than name-drop, they tell mini stories. Sabrina and Jim walk through selecting dominant images, ensuring variety and using the ABCD formula to craft strong storytelling captions.
YOUR OBJECTIVES
- Take or collect at least five usable photos of your partner
- Select one dominant image and four supporting ones
-
Write captions for each photo that include:
Attention getter Basic information
Complementary details Direct quote - Submit photos and finished captions
This step focuses on building a complete spread using your story, photos, captions and mods. Students learn to use grids, white space and visual hierarchy to create intentional layouts that support the story. The goal is a cohesive design that clearly communicates the message and showcases strong storytelling.
YOUR OBJECTIVES
- Start with your dominant photo near the center
- Add supporting photos, captions, mods and the full story
- Use a grid to align all elements
- Maintain consistent margins and intentional white space
- Adjust as needed to balance visuals and text
- Submit your digital layout draft
SUBMIT YOUR FINISHED SPREAD
Email your file(s) to marketingyearbooks@walsworth.com with Bootcamp [School Name]
PROOF BEFORE SENDING
Proofread for spelling and grammar
Use the spread checklist
GET FEATURED ON OUR SOCIALS
Your work could be featured on Walsworth Yearbooks’ social media and inspire yearbook staffs across the country.
Continue Your Bootcamp Journey
Continue your learning by exploring From Story to Spread, our next yearbook Bootcamp experience.