Unit 3.2.

9 Newsletters
tended Learninng Outcomes: At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to:

Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this chapter, the students are
expected to:

1. Identify the parts of a Newsletter.

2. Recognize the criteria for newsletters.
3. Write a newsletter following its conventions.

A newsletter is a printed or electronic report containing news concerning of the

activities of a business or an organization that is sent to its members, customers,
employees or other subscribers. Newsletters generally contain one main topic of
interest to its recipients. E-newsletters are delivered electronically via e-mail and can be
viewed as spamming if e-mail marketing is sent unsolicited.
The newsletter is the most common form of serial publication. About two thirds
of newsletters are internal publications, aimed towards employees and volunteers,
while about one third is external publications, aimed towards advocacy or special
interest groups.

Parts of a Newsletter

1. Nameplate
The banner on the front of a newsletter that identifies the publication is
its nameplate. The nameplate usually contains the name of the newsletter,
possibly graphics or a logo, and perhaps a subtitle, motto, and publication
information including volume number and issue or date.
 2. Body
The body of the newsletter is the bulk of the text excluding the headlines and
decorative text elements. It is the articles that make up the newsletter content.

3. Table of Contents
Usually appearing on the front page, the table of contents briefly lists articles and
special sections of the newsletter and the page number for those items.

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 4. Masthead
The masthead is that section of a newsletter layout – typically found on the second
page but could be on any page – that lists the name of the publisher and other
pertinent data. It may include staff names, contributors, subscription information,
addresses, logo and contact information.

5. Heads and Titles

Heads and titles create a hierarchy that leads the reader to the newsletter
content.

5.1 Headline. After the nameplate, the main headline identifying each article in a
newsletter is the most prominent text element.

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 5.2 Kicker. Often seen in a newsletter design. It is a short phrase set in small
type above the headline. The kicker can serve as an introduction or section
heading to identify a regular column.

5.3 Deck. The newsletter deck is one or more lines of text found between the
headline and the body of the article. The deck elaborates or expands on the
headline and topic of the accompanying text.

5.4 Subhead. Appearing within the body of articles, subheads divide the article
into smaller sections.

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 5.5 Running Head. More familiarly known as a header, a running headline is
repeating text that appears on every page. Often the title of the publication
appears at the top of each page. The page number is sometimes
incorporated with the running head.

5.6 Continuation Heads. Small headlines that appear at the top of an article that
has been continued from a previous page.

6. Page Numbers
Page numbers can appear at the top, bottom or sides of pages. Usually, page one
is not numbered in a newsletter.

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 7. Bylines. The byline is a short phrase or paragraph that indicates the name of the
author of an article in a newsletter. The byline commonly appears between the
headline and start of the article, prefaced by the word “By” although it could
also appear at the end of the article. If the entire newsletter is authored by a
single person, individual articles do not include bylines.

8. Continuation Lines.

8.1 Jumplines. Also called continuation lines, jumplines typically appear at the
end of a column, as in “continued on page 45.” Jumplines at the top of a column
indicate where the article is continued from, as in “continued from page 16.”

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 8.2 Continuation Heads. When articles jump from one page to another,
continuation heads identify the continued portion of the articles. The
continuation headlines, along with jumplines, provide continuity and cue the
reader as to where to pick up reading.

9. End Signs. A dingbat or printer’s ornament used to mark the end of a story in a
newsletter is an end sign. It signals to the readers that they have reached the
end of the article.

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 10. Pull Quotes. Used to attract attention, especially in long articles, a pull quote is a
small selection of text “pulled out and quoted” in a large typeface.

11. Photos and Illustrations

A newsletter layout may contain photographs, drawings, charts, graphs or clip
art.

11.1 Headshot. The most typical photograph of a person in a newsletter design is

the headshot – a head – and – shoulders picture of a person looking straight into
the camera.

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 11.2 Caption. The caption is a phrase, sentence or paragraph describing the
contents of an illustration such as a photograph or chart. The caption is usually
placed directly above, below or to the side of the picture it describes.

11.3 Photo Credit Line. Similar to the byline for an article, the photo credit
identifies the photographer or source of the image. It may appear with the photo
or be placed elsewhere on the page, such as at the end of the article.

12. Mailing Panel

Newsletters created as self-mailers (no envelope) need a mailing panel. This is
the portion of the newsletter design that contains the return address, the
mailing address of the recipient and postage. The mailing panel typically appears
on one-half or one-third of the back page so that it faces out when folded.

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Criteria for Newsletters

1. The Flag
Include the following:
 Title of your newsletter
 The date of its publication
 Publication volume and issue number

The Flag will be placed at the top of your newsletter in a bold, large font.

2. Columns
Divide your newsletter into two to three columns. Strive for variety; the top half
of the page could have two columns while the bottom half would use three, for
example.

3. Headlines and Subheadings

Help your readers navigate the text by providing the following:
 A headline for the major article on page one
 First-level headings for all other articles
 Second-level subheadings

In your headings and subheadings, use present tenses, avoid excessive

punctuation, omit titles (such as Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms.), avoid abbreviations and
acronyms, use strong verbs, and use short words and phrases.

4. Pop-Up Quotes
Gain your reader’s interest through pop-up quotes. These “talk-bubbles” or
“pull-out quotes” are usually:
 Printed in larger font than the articles
 Centered on page or within a column
 Printed inside a border
 Printed in different color

5. Sidebars
Add variety to your page layout through sidebars. These are often shaded or
gradient-colored textboxes which present late-breaking, additional, and/or
contrasting short news items.

6. Table of contents
Include a table of contents to help your readers find information within the newsletter.

7. Initial Caps

M any newsletter begin each article with an initial cap for visual appeal. Use
these larger, capital letters to preface the first word of the sentence of an article
– as shown in this paragraph.

8. Newsletter Style
As in all effective technical writing:
 Limit your word length (one-two syllables)
 Limit sentence length (10-15 words)

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  Limit paragraph length.

(The length of paragraphs is especially important when writing a newsletter,

since columns make your writing more cramped. You want to limit your
paragraphs to four to six lines.)

9. Highlighting
Add interest to your newsletter by including typical highlighting techniques, such
as:
 Tables and figures
 Font changes
 Bullets
 Boldface and italics.

10. Accuracy
Proofread to avoid grammatical errors.

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Module 3 (Eng Ed 212)

Self – Check Test 3.2.9 Name: ____________________________________________

Program/Year: ____________Date Submitted: ___________
Activity No. 3.2.9

1. Encode in the subject field, in your email:

BSE2A329 for BSE 2A

BSE2B329 for BSE 2B

Please consider this so that I could easily access your sent activity.

2. Write your choice of answer or answer, for Multiple Choice, Identification, True
or False, or Matching type of test, on a separate file or in the mail field of your
email.
3. Email your answer in my email add on or before October 29, 2020, before 12
midnight.
4. Please consider the conventions on how to send an email. It is part of the total
score for this activity.
5. PLEASE HAVE YOUR ANSWER IN ONE (1) MAIL ONLY. ONCE I HAVE OPENED A
RECEIVED MAIL, WHATEVER IS PLACED IN THAT MAIL, WILL BE CHECKED AND
BE GIVEN A SCORE. I HAVE NO TIME TO SEARCH FOR YOUR OTHER MAILS.

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 Self – Check Test 3.2.9

I. Matching Type:
Match the statement on the column A to the criteria for Newsletter on the
column B. Write the letters of your choice on your answer sheet.

Column A Column B
1. Divide the newsletter into two to three a. Accuracy
columns. b. Columns
2. It is printed in larger font than the articles. c. Headlines and
3. Use present tenses and avoid excessive Subheadings
punctuation. d. Highlighting
4. It is printed in different colors and inside a e. Initial Caps
border. f. The Flag
5. It must be placed at the top of a newsletter g. Newsletter Style
in a bold, large font. h. Pop-Up Quotes
6. These are often shaded or gradient-colored i. Sidebars
textboxes which present late-breaking, j. Table of
additional, and/or contrasting short new Contents
items.
7. A paragraph shall be limited to four to six
lines.
8. Sentence length shall be in 10 to 15 words.
9. It is where the title of the newsletter is
placed.
10. Publication volume and issue number is
required on this part of the newsletter.

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 II. Labeling Parts:
Label the parts of the sample newsletter below.

Activity No. 3.2.9

1. Craft a one (1) page newsletter about USM-KCC or CEAS or BSE Program
according to its convention.
2. Attach in your newsletter in your mail.
3. Consider the evaluation checklist for newsletter as your guide.

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Evaluation Checklist

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