The Importance of Good

CAPTIONS!

Captions answer 5 Ws & H

Complete & accurate reporting

Attend activity or eventInterview subjects in photoInterview subjects involved not in

photoGet photographer’s notesResearch history of photo story

Great photos raise questions

Ask the Questions

Quality questions get quality answersWho What When Where Why How

Tell readers about the eventDescribe the best memories of the eventTell us something we can’t see from photo

Get the Answers

Who: Junior Jeremy Sinclair

What: Swims with turtles/sea creatures

When: SeaSplash field trip

Where: Wildlife Refuge Park

Why: Student biologists field trip

How: Won “SeaSplash” competition

“The whole trip was so much fun. It wasn’t just an in and out rushed tour; we stayed all day and asked tons of questions about what we had heard about at school,” said sophomore Julie Chan

All the write wordsLead-in can be used if desired, like a mini-headline

Attention-getting word or phrase relating to the action/reaction of the photo

Primary sentenceReports the most important 5Ws & H, showcases the most important aspect in first 5-7 words & is in present tense

Secondary sentence(s)Provides details not obvious in the photo (when/why/how) & written in past tense

Ident captions: Use sparingly, if at all….and only for very small photos.

Idents Junior Jeremy Sinclair

OR

Junior Jeremy Sinclair | Biology field trip

OR

Junior Jeremy Sinclair | Biology field trip at Wildlife Refuge Park

Summary captions

BUBBLICIOUSAs the winner of “SeaSplash,” junior Jeremy Sinclair swims with the turtles as well as schools of underwater creatures.

Expanded captions

BUBBLICIOUSAs the winner of “SeaSplash,” junior Jeremy Sinclair swims with the turtles as well as schools of underwater creatures. For over 30 minutes, Jeremy experienced sea life as a part of the Wildlife Refuge Park field trip. In addition to the sea adventure, student biologists toured the jungle rainforest and exotic aviary sanctuary. “The whole trip was so much fun. It wasn’t just an in and out rushed tour; we stayed all day and asked tons of questions about what we had heard about at school,” said sophomore Julie Chan.

Quote captions

BUBBLICIOUS “At first I was really, really scared even though I have snorkeled all of my life. I think what made me nervous was just knowing that all my friends were watching to see if I panicked as I swam with all the exotic fish. There was no way I was going in the shark tank.”

–Junior Jeremy Sinclair

Collective captions

FRAMED. Freshman Trey Whitman checks the wood cut on his latest woodworking project. SMOOTH MOVES. A special clinic at the Performing Arts Center refines dance technique for seniors Lissette Colver and Meredith Moore. LOOK UP. Studying an outdoor sculpture, sophomore Beth Ann Terry classifies it as “modern.”

Group captions

FRESHMAN KEY CLUB -- Front Row: John Cutsinger, Shannon Williams, Rick Brooks, David Klecka. Row 2: Cody Cleavelin, Mitch Lorenz, Mike Hill, Kurt Idler, Bruce Nyman… Row 3: Alex Brunner, Rinn Cleavelin, Herb Stokes, Jimmy Browning. Back Row: Mark Herron, Steve Wirrig, Jack Wilson, Kevin Grandpre, Adam Richards, Blake Harrop, Adviser Steve West. Not Pictured: Mr. Eric Howard, Miss Angela Creech, Mr. Tim Ross.

Writing & Editing Guidelines

Refine captions for strong appeal•Keep captions factual; no editorializing•Include honest facts, figures & feelings•Go beyond the obvious; capture outcome or

consequences of the action•Write first sentence in present tense; subsequent

sentences in past tense•Use visual nouns & action verbs•Avoid repetition of words•Avoid beginning with names•Avoid school name, initials, mascot•Maintain style consistency

Don’t begin all your captions in the same way.

Vary grammatical patterns. For example, use subordinate clauses or infinitives to begin captions.

Avoid beginning captions with participles, articles, prepositions or a student’s name.

Avoid “be” verbs as main verbs.

Tips for writing

Do not use the name of the school, the mascot name or the school year in your captions.

Avoid the words “this year.”

Don’t editorialize. (Example: Way to go!, Go, band!, The team had a great year., Everybody enjoyed the dance.

Tips for writing

Don’t use gag captions or state the obvious.

Identify everyone (not just students) in the photo with first and last names unless you have a large crowd shot.

Everyone in the photos should also have an identifier like Coach Joe Smith, Superintendent Ron Cabrera.

Tips for writing

Practice Makes Perfect!

Write a Caption

Who: Sisters Jasmine and Tracey PowellWhat: Homecoming Queen coronationWhen: October 12, 2008Where: John Henry Football StadiumWhy: Tracey crowns JasmineHow: Jasmine wins 78% of student body vote

“I’m not sure if I’ve ever experienced more of a surprise than when they announced my name. I truly had no idea I had a chance. The fact that my sister was there to relinquish her crown made the evening amazing.”

Practice Writing

Write one each of the following:

IdentSummaryExpanded

Fix this Caption!

Seniors Katrina Johnson and Molly West have some fun before an assembly.