Civilians call ’em captions. We call ’em cutlines

Civilians call ’em captions.

We call ’em cutlines.

the Powerpoint presentation no one at the Rome News-Tribune

has ever seen!

What are cutlines?

• They are like headlines: The only thing that many people will read.

• They deserve our attention, therefore.

Rule 1: Don’t state the obvious

Laura Phillips stands in front of the tugboat that she and her husband live in. The couple has spent the last five years renovating the tug.

Kermit the Frog, left, will appear on ABC’s “Nightline” with Ted Koppel.

First Baptist Church, seen in this aerial view, added this worship center complex in 2013.

cutline tips1. Tell the reader what s/he needs to

know to understand the picture – what’s going on here?

2. Avoid stating the obvious.3. Make sure the cutline, photo and

headline work together rather than needlessly duplicating one another.

cutline tips4. Check names, wording in signs, details in

photo.5. Don’t say “pictured” or “not pictured.”

6. To ID people, say, “from left” set off by commas. If only two people, say, “left.”

7. Some people in the photo need no directions. “President Obama, left …”

8. Write full sentences. Use articles and conjunctions. (These aren’t heds.)

cutline tips9. ID people by first and last names.10. ID all people in a photo.

Who’s THAT guy?

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, left, greets Mary Smith of Amelia, Va., during a visit Tuesday.

AP’s 10 cutline questions1. Is it complete?

2. Does it ID fully and clearly?

3. Does it tell when?

4. Does it tell where?

5. Does it tell what?

AP’s 10 cutline questions6. Are names matched with the

correct people?7. Is it specific?8. Is it easy to read?9. Is it clear (no needless

adjectives)?10. Does it suggest another picture?

Don’t share a cliché

Student George Turner, left, shares a laugh with Lucy Li.

Don’t share a clichéMembers of the crew of the space shuttle Columbia are all smiles …

DOH! From yesterday’s RN-T

DOH! From yesterday’s RN-T