* It documents the past: Yearbooks capture a specific point in time, showcasing students, teachers, events, and achievements of a particular academic year.
* It provides a look back: By flipping through the pages, individuals can reminisce about their experiences, remember friends, and see how things have changed.
* It preserves memories: Yearbooks act as a tangible record of the past, preserving memories and allowing future generations to understand what school life was like.
However, a yearbook is not just a retrospective book; it also has aspects of a:
* Time capsule: It encapsulates the culture and trends of the time.
* Social document: It reveals the relationships between people and the activities they participated in.
* Historical artifact: It can be used to study and understand the past.
Therefore, a yearbook is a multifaceted document that combines elements of a retrospective book, a time capsule, a social document, and a historical artifact.