CAPTIONS!

A detailed instructional on how to write captions

Captions Require…

Complete & accurate reporting, which means one must: •Attend the activity or event•Interview subjects in photo•Interview subjects involved not in photo•Get notes from the photographer•Research the history of photo story

Ask the Questions: 5Ws/H

Quality questions get quality answers through questions starting with: •Who •What •When •Where •Why •How

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

Practice!

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

Quote: “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

Writing captions is EASY as 123!

1. Lead-inAttention-getting word or phrase relating to the action/reaction of the photo

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

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

Caption Types // ident: name and very brief description

IdentsIdents Junior Jeremy Sinclair

OR

Junior Jeremy Sinclair | Biology field trip

OR

Junior Jeremy Sinclair | Biology field trip at Wildlife Refuge Park

Caption types // summary: who, what, when, where, why, how

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

caption types: // expanded: in-depth, 5Ws & H and direct quote

BUBBLICIOUSBUBBLICIOUSAs 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.

Caption types // quote: first-person, word-for-word commentary

BUBBLICIOUS 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

caption types // collective: describe a photo package, can be idents

FRAMED.FRAMED. Freshman Trey Whitman checks the door frame of the front of the curio cabinet he inspects during Career Day. SMOOTHSMOOTH MOVESMOVES. A special clinic at the Performing Arts Center refines dance technique for seniors Lissette Colver and Meredith Moore. LOOK UPLOOK UP. Studying an outdoor sculpture, sophomore Beth Ann Terry classifies it as “modern.”

Caption types // group: idents by row

FRESHMAN KEY CLUB RAISES $3,452 FOR CHARITIESFront 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, Steve West.

Writing & Editing Guidelines

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

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

Practice makes Perfect!

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.”

Fix this Caption!

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

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/add opinions. (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