Sidebars

Definition

Sidebars are supplementary text elements in feature articles that provide additional information or context related to the main story. They can include quotes, statistics, anecdotes, or other relevant content that enhances the reader's understanding without interrupting the flow of the primary narrative. This added content often helps to break up large blocks of text, making the article more visually appealing and easier to digest.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sidebars can vary in length, but they should always complement the main article without overshadowing it.
2. They often include engaging elements like quotes from interviews, which provide depth and personal insights into the topic discussed.
3. Effective use of sidebars can enhance the overall readability of an article, providing quick reference points for readers who may skim the text.
4. Visual elements, such as images or diagrams, can also be incorporated into sidebars to make them more appealing and informative.
5. While sidebars add value to feature articles, they should be carefully crafted to ensure relevance and connection to the main narrative.

Review Questions

• How do sidebars contribute to the overall structure and readability of feature articles?
  • Sidebars contribute significantly to both the structure and readability of feature articles by providing supplementary information that enriches the main narrative. They allow readers to access important context, statistics, or anecdotes without disrupting the flow of the primary text. This separation helps maintain reader engagement by breaking up dense sections and offering a quick reference point for key information.
• Discuss how sidebars differ from pull quotes and infographics in their function within a feature article.
  • While all three elements serve to enhance a feature article, sidebars provide detailed supplemental information, pull quotes highlight impactful statements for emphasis, and infographics visually convey complex data. Sidebars can include various content types like anecdotes or statistics, while pull quotes focus on key phrases that resonate with readers. Infographics are primarily visual tools that simplify information at a glance. Together, they create a more engaging reading experience by catering to different styles of information processing.
• Evaluate the impact of well-designed sidebars on reader engagement and comprehension in feature articles.
  • Well-designed sidebars can significantly boost reader engagement and comprehension by presenting additional context in a digestible format. By breaking up text and providing intriguing details or insights related to the main story, they capture attention and encourage deeper exploration of the topic. When readers find relevant sidebars, they are more likely to retain key information and feel a stronger connection to the narrative, ultimately enhancing their overall reading experience.

Related terms

pull quotes: Pull quotes are brief excerpts from the main text highlighted in larger or bolder font to capture readers' attention and emphasize key points.

infographics: Infographics are visual representations of information or data designed to present complex information quickly and clearly, often used alongside articles to enhance understanding.

lead:

The lead is the opening sentence or paragraph of an article that summarizes its main point and engages the reader's interest.