Theme Development

How To Develop The Overall “Attitude” of

Your Yearbook

What is a Theme?

• Consider the theme as the attitude or personality of the year for your school

• It is a perfect medium to tell a story that will be remembered by all in a positive or spirit-related format

• Your yearbook should record the events of the year and celebrate the milestones of the year under the unified story format of your the theme.

• Themes come in different shapes and sizes based upon the attitude of the year.

• Themes are discussed and portrayed in all sections of the yearbook, especially on the cover, endsheets, title pages, opening pages, closing pages, and division pages for each section of the yearbook

Possible Themes…

The key to developing a theme is making sure you address the theme in every section of the yearbook. Here are a few themes you can consider just for starters:

• A Cut Above A Day in the Life

• A Flash from the Past A New Awakening

• A New Point of View A Season of Change

• A Step Above the Rest A Touch of Class

• Anyway You Slice It Attention to Detail

• Between the Lines Breaking Thru

• Built to Last Capture the Magic

• Catch the Moments Caught in the Act

Choose a theme and begin to develop it…

Example of a Theme

The key to developing a theme is making sure you address the theme in every section of the yearbook as well as the cover and endsheets (if applicable).

Consider playing off words of the theme as titles for each section or work on conceptual themes that play of an idea vs. words.

Consider working with a theme like: “Inside & Out...”

• Stud. Life: Inside our Walls • Sports: On the Sidelines

• Clubs: Siding with Others • Portraits: Side by Side...

• Acad.: Sides of Success • Ads: Outside our walls...

Note how a word that is part of the theme is developed and ties to theme as well?

Developing A Theme…Answer these questions:

I chose the theme of ________________________________ because _________________________. Key words that come to mind that are close to the theme title are…

____________ ____________ ____________ __________

____________ ____________ ____________ __________

• The sports sections will be called…__________________

• The portrait section will be called …__________________

• The student life section will be called …_______________

• The academics section will be called …_______________

• The clubs section will be called …___________________

• The ad/community section will be called…_____________

Another Theme & Its Development

Answer these questions:

I chose the theme of PIECING IT ALL TOGETHER because our school just combined with another school for a year as the other school goes through renovations. Key words that come to mind that are close to the theme title are…

____________ ____________ ______________________

____________ ____________ ____________ __________

• Sports sections will be called PLAYING TOGETHER

• Portrait section will be called STANDING TOGETHER

• Student life section will be called JOINING TOGETHER

• Academics section will be called LEARNING TOGETHER

• Clubs section will be called CELEBRATING TOGETHER

• Ad/community section will be called BEING TOGETHER

Piece All To

Together Get Getting

-ing

-er

Example of a Theme

Introducing the theme on the cover is critical…

Example of a Theme

Continuing the theme on the endsheet is optional…