chart o matic
DESCRIPTION
Converting information from text to somethingthat will get read. Includes research on what readers look at on the page, and uses examples from student media. Presented at state and national journalism conventions.TRANSCRIPT
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Chart-O-Matic 2.0:Converting informationfrom text to somethingthat will get readLogan Aimone, MJEExecutive DirectorNational Scholastic Press Association
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How this will work…
You have to take your own notes. It means more when you do that anyway (plus, I didn’t make a handout).
Let me know if you have questions or want more explanation, background or details.
No, I won’t send you a copy of this presentation. It’s way too big for that.
But you can contact me: [email protected]
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Some research…
80 percent of readers look at artwork 75 percent of readers look at photos
(’07 research shows bigger, documentary and color helps)
56 percent of readers look at headlines
52 percent of readers look at ads
Source: Poynter Institute for Media Studies
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Some research…
31 percent of readers look at story briefs
29 percent of readers look at captions 25 percent of readers look at text
Source: Poynter Institute for Media Studies
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That’s right…
Just 25 percent of readers look at the text!
Completion rates: 63% online, 40% broadsheet, 36% tabloid
So why do we put the most time into what we know readers are least likely to read?
Source: Poynter Institute for Media Studies
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New EyeTrack research shows… Alternate story forms (Q&A,
timeline, fact box, by-the-numbers) help readers remember the facts presented to them.
These forms drew a greater amount of attention but represented just 4% of 16,976 text elements tested.
Source: Poynter Institute for Media Studies, 2007 EyeTrack study
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New EyeTrack research shows… Alternate story forms help readers
understand. In a reading quiz afterward, more
questions were answered correctly. Subjects paid an average of 15%
more attention to alt forms than regular text in print (34% in broadsheet).
Source: Poynter Institute for Media Studies, 2007 EyeTrack study
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New EyeTrack research shows… Alternative story forms seem to work best with
fact-laden stories, providing a way to handle numbers, time, location and juxtaposition references in a simple, comparative way.
An explanatory graphic can take a reader into a situation that would be impossible to photograph.
A Q&A, timeline, fact box or by-the-numbers list can give information at a glance.
Source: Poynter Institute for Media Studies, 2007 EyeTrack study
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New EyeTrack research shows… Photographs capture moments. Long-form narrative seems best for
telling compelling, emotional stories about events in someone’s life.
68% of tabloid jumps are read, and 59% of broadsheet jumps are.
Source: Poynter Institute for Media Studies, 2007 EyeTrack study
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“True readers” vs. “Grazers”
True readers most likely read all stories, lots of text, and beginning to end. They are methodical.
Grazers skip around, entering the page at a variety of points (headlines, captions, sidebars, leads).
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Even though readers will readin-depth sometimes… Let’s consider making our text into
something readers will want to read instead of something they pass over.
Remember that readers are attracted to visuals and to small, manageable bits of information.
These alternate forms also help the reader understand more.
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How can it be done?1. Think visually Comb your text for opportunities
for a chart instead of long legs of text.
Look for information such as lists, statistics, descriptions and comparisons.
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Visual:Front Page
The Orange County Register, March 8, 2006
Note how this page is really a set of charts.
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Visual: Car
The Orange County Register, March 8, 2006
This should be called an infographic, which sometimes can be a type of chart.
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How can it be done?2. Pull out the information Not only does this shorten the
amount of text (making it less intimidating), it also provides another entry point.
It also allows readers to find information at a glance.
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Pull-out:Inside Page
The Orange County Register, March 8, 2006
See how this chart accompanies the text, providing an entry point and a comparison.
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How can it be done?3. Stand-alone charts are OK Sometimes a chart is all you
need to tell the story. Comparing student government candidates is an example.
Different reviewers’ opinions of movies is another.
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Stand-Alone Chart: Candidates
The Apple Leaf, 2006
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Stand-Alone Chart: Sports Opinion
Red Eye, March 8, 2006
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Comparison Chart: Hybrid Cars
The Orange County Register, March 8, 2006
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Stand-AloneChart:Sports Preview
The Apple Leaf, 2006
This preview has a listing for each sport with a quote from the coach, a player and which games to watch.
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Stand-AloneChart:Sports Preview
The Apple Leaf, 2006
This preview uses color and icons to accent the coverage and improve navigation.
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Stand-AloneChart:Sports Preview
The Apple Leaf, 2007
This preview uses icons to accent the coverage and improve navigation.
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Stand-AloneChart:Entertainment reviews
The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007
This set of reviews is divided into sections for movies, TV shows, songs, albums and video games. The images and large numbers attract the eye, and it is clear where the reader should look.
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Stand-AloneChart:Clubs briefs
The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007
This looks like a bunch of text, but it actually is a series of briefs about clubs and activities. Readers can start with any topic. Each brief is written in chart style and very tight. Images help break it up.
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Stand-Alone Chart: Clubs briefs
The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007
Information in each capsule is reader-friendly.
Bold-face text helps scanners see categories and key information.
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Stand-AloneCharts: Theater
The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007
Even though this page is divided into three areas, it’s clear where to go first.
The middle chart about one-act plays is a perfect candidate for a chart to compare each one.
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Stand-Alone Charts: Theater
The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007
The large titles and small photos help make this dynamic. Using the subject’s own words is nice, too.
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Stand-Alone Charts: Theater
The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007
The cast Q&A is a great entry point.
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Stand-Alone Chart: Reviews
North Star, Feb. 15, 2007
All sorts of entertainment reviewed in neat capsules.
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Stand-Alone Chart: Fondue
North Star, Feb. 15, 2007
Visuals, information and clever layout. It’s a winner.
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Case Study: ’07 Etruscan
The pages are composed of tilted chart packages.
The theme was “And then…” to show a sequence of events and using chronological coverage.
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Chart: Club activities
Etruscan, 2007
Packed with information, this small chart informs the reader about the first meetings of several clubs. Categories include a club leader, turnout, date, goals and a lengthy quote that summarizes the club’s activities.
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Chart: Class activities
Etruscan, 2007
Lengthy quotes and candid photos combine for this element on a class where students created documentary films. Concise intro text sets up the quotes.
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Chart: Sports
Etruscan, 2007
Detailed, storytelling captions accompany well-cropped action photos from a junior varsity wrestling match. The intro text provides background and context.
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Chart: Social activities
Etruscan, 2007
Narrative storytelling in first person can be compelling. This two-part sidebar details how a boy asked his date to the homecoming dance and how she responded.
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More charts: Stand-alones
Most of these charts ran as one-page or double-page charts.
They include some introductory text (“chatter”) and the categories.
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Stand-Alone Chart: Royalty
The Apple Leaf, 2006
This chart compares candidates for community festival royalty. The rows represent each community. Each girl answered the same questions.
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Stand-Alone Chart: Red Carpet
Red Eye, March 9, 2006
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Stand-Alone Chart: Landmarks
The Apple Leaf, 2005
This chart lists five local landmarks. The landmark location, its history and a photo are included.
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Stand-Alone Chart: Election
The Apple Leaf, 2004
This chart compared candidates for the presidential nomination in 2004.
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Stand-Alone Chart: Must-Have Gifts
The Apple Leaf, 2005
This chart gives three gift suggestions based on price for various people on your list.
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More charts: Putting it together Most of these charts ran as part
of a larger package of stories, usually a two-page spread
These serve as entry points and a way for “scanners” to select just the parts they want to read.
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Package: Sports
The Washington Post, 2006
This full page shows how multiple charts combine with text to create a complete package.
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Package: Election
The Apple Leaf, 2005
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Package: Election
The Apple Leaf, 2007
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Package: Homecoming week
Wa Wa, 2006
The chart allows for packaged coverage on one topic (lunch and evening activities).
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Package: TV Show
Red Eye, March 8, 2006
This chart complements the text about the television show.
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Chart: Dance moves
The Spark, 2007
This sidebar helps illustrate a set of dance moves. It accompanied a story on the school dance team.
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Sidebar: Reviews
The Campanile, 2007
This chart of local restaurants provides information at a quick glance.
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Sidebar: List
The Flashlight, 2007
This layout is very similar to a standing element from Entertainment Weekly, a good source for chart inspiration. The design motif echoes the theme of “On the Spot.”
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Package: Music
Wa Wa, 2006
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Package: Future
Wa Wa, 2006
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Package: Drama production
Peninsula Outlook, April 5, 2006
Three charts:
Photo collection
By-the-numbers
Tech devices
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Package: Snow fun
The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007
Three charts:
How-to spin360° on skis
Story about a skier
Comparison chart for local ski areas
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Package: Quinceañera
The Apple Leaf, 2005
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Package: Back to school
Details, 2007
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Package: A week in fall
Details, 2007
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Chart: Sport Participants
Wa Wa, 2006
This chart allows tight, enhanced coverage. It’s great if you don’t have usable candids of these players. Repetition in section builds unity. Categories: defining moment, achievements, best game.
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Full Page: Swimming & Diving
Wa Wa, 2006
See how it works with the other elements?
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Full Page: Wrestling
Wa Wa, 2006
The chart complements the by-the-numbers list.
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Chart: Activity Participants
Wa Wa, 2006
This one is similar to the sports chart. Categories include reason for joining, three “must haves,” favorite memory and one category unique to the activity
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Full Page: Choir
Wa Wa, 2006
Good coverage can replace traditional copy.
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Package: Girls basketball
The Rock, Jan. 26, 2007
The chart along the right complements the package. It is actually a series of small news bits. There’s also a score list in the middle.
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In conclusion…
Use charts to get information to reader quicker and more visually.
Alt forms help the reader understand more.
Consider using a chart instead of text to tell the story.
Enhance coverage with charts.
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Thanks Mark Newton, Grand Junction (Colo.) HS Gary Lundgren, Jostens Yearbooks Peninsula HS, Gig Harbor, Wash. Jack Kennedy, Highlands Ranch (Colo.)
HS My students at Wenatchee (Wash.) HS The NSPA library You — for participating and attending.