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. Although these publications are annually issued, they afford opportunities for student feature writers interested in specialized forms of writing that are not time bound and are more people oriented. Yearbooks are usually dominated by their photographic content, but most yearbook editors seek some sort of balance with a collection of studentwritten articles that focus on all aspects of student life.Usually a yearbook has a single editor in charge of the whole book~ he or she delegates responsibilities for specific assignments to section editors. Students find articles about organizations, major unusual events on campus, new facilities, student leaders, annual major activities each year, outstanding administrators, and the best faculty members on campus. Some yearbooks run extended feature articles much like a magazine would use text and photographs. The main distinction is the perspective the articles take keeping in mind that yearbook features are frequently explanatory (why or how) or retrospective features. The focus is on people (who) and activities (what) from the past year. Many yearbooks also run short, but informative, Page 464features discussing the purposes and accomplishments of active individuals and organizations during the past year.Photographs, artwork, and other graphics dominate yearbooks, so articles usually do not run as long as those found in magazines or newspapers. Because yearbooks are often published each spring or summer, the articles have to take an overview or general approach to the subject. Feature articles include profiles of student leaders and administrators and features about athletic teams and academic departments. Also common are feature articles about benchmark events on campus such as graduation day, the day one of the athletic teams won a big championship, homecoming, or a visit by a dignitary such as a politician, internationally popular entertainer, or renowned scholar. Other features may be aftermath or followup articles that combine a series of related campus events into a single story.Student writers interested in contributing to the yearbook should study the most recent two or three editions, but each one is a bit different. These are usually kept in the main library and the yearbook office. It is also a good idea to look at ''exchange" yearbooks, ones that your school's yearbook staff receives from other schools in trade.Organizational NewslettersThere are thousands of small student organizations on campuses across the country. There may be dozens on your own campus. With lowcost computerassisted publishing technology and fast, inexpensive printing and photocopying available near campuses, it is no longer financially difficult for these usually impoverished organizations to produce newsletters. Thus, many newsletters have started up and are being published on campuses across the United States each year. It seems impossible to count them. Many are published locally on college and university campuses by student, faculty, staff, and alumni organizations and are known to few people outside the members of the organizations they serve. Some, however, are produced on a national or regional level for collegelevel readers, and command wide attention.These newsletters may be as small as two pages of typewritten text or as professional appearing as a slick, fullcolor magazine in size and printing quality. These newsletters are also excellent places to get experience in feature writing. Why? First, chances are good that you know something about the organization and the special interests Page 465it represents. Second, the organization is small and probably needs assistance in producing its newsletter, so access is easy. Third, you can probably select the assignments yourself if not in the beginning, not long after you "prove" yourself. You probably will not get paid for working on a campus newsletter, but you will get your writing published. For a beginner, this is important.Other College and University PublicationsWho is interested in reading about a college or university? Faculty, staff, students, parents of students, alumni, supporters, and even campus neighbors. Magazines are a common medium that colleges and universities use to communicate with their varied constituencies. Some universities also produce newspapertype publications, but the most common formats are slick, fourcolor monthly or quarterly magazines or regularly published newsletters. Tabloidformat newspapers are sometimes used as less expensive alternatives.Editors of these publications often seek parttime student writing assistance. This is for several practical reasons. First, these publications want to provide the opportunities for students to learn. Second, established professionals charge a heftier fee than students charge
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