Digital Media Caption Writing 1

Caption Writing

Digital Media

Mrs. Huddleston

Digital Media Caption Writing 2

Caption ActionCaption ActionA picture is worth a

thousand words, then choose a few to bring your

stories to life

~ideas shared by John Cutsinger, Tina Klecka, Rick Brooks,Shannon Williams, Laura Schaub

Jostens Creative Accounts Managers

Digital Media Caption Writing 3

Caption ActionCaption ActionCaptions are the most

widely read copy in yearbooks.

Digital Media Caption Writing 4

PurposePurpose1. Captions link the photograph to and supplement

the story.

2. Captions tell the reader what happened before and immediately after the captured action of the photograph.

3. Captions identify all people in the photograph on whom the action is centered.

Digital Media Caption Writing 5

GuidelinesGuidelines1. ALL pictures get captions, no exceptions.

2. First sentence is always in present tense.

3. Later sentences are always in past tense.

4. Should be between 3-5 sentences. (One sentence summaries technically are not called captions; they are referred to as cut lines.)

Digital Media Caption Writing 6

What goes in a What goes in a caption?caption?

1. Answer 5Ws and H.

2. Identify ALL people in photograph. In crowd shots, identify up to 7 prominent people.

3. Use same naming guidelines as in story writing.

4. Identify people going to left to right in the photograph, but do not label within the caption “Pictured left to right are . . .”

5. Include date of photograph if relevant.

Digital Media Caption Writing 7

Avoid:Avoid:1. The obvious. Do not simply restate what is

going on in the picture. Give background information that is not evident to the reader.

2. The irrelevant. Stick to the facts of the story.

3. Editorializing.

4. Beginning with names. This is simply very uncreative and is the lazy man’s method of writing captions.

Digital Media Caption Writing 8

Avoid:Avoid:5. Repeating information in the story.

6. Clichés.

7. Overusing gerunds. Gerunds (verbs ending in “ing”) are fine to use on a limited basis, but not for every lead.

Digital Media Caption Writing 9

Avoid:Avoid:8. School name, mascot name or school initials.

This should already be obvious since this is the publication for this particular school.

9. School year or “this year”. All copy should obviously be about this school year.

10. Making predictions. You are reporting on what has already happened, not what might happen.

11. Compound and complex sentences. Always use simple sentences.

Digital Media Caption Writing 10

Avoid:Avoid:12. “Pictured above,” “Shown here,”

13. “Seems to,” “Appears to,” “Looks as if,” “Attempts to,” “Tries to,” or other phrases that fail to give an actual result.

14. To be verbs: is, are, was, were, etc.

15. “During” as a lead. It is fine when used in moderation in the body of the caption.

Digital Media Caption Writing 11

Definite Do’s:Definite Do’s:1. Check your facts.

2. Use quotes. Quotes should only be used if they add to the content of the story. Be sure to cite the person speaking and their grade level/title.

3. Use action verbs.

4. Elicit emotion. Draw the reader into the photograph and into the story. Don’t be afraid to make them laugh or cry.

Digital Media Caption Writing 12

Definite Do’s:Definite Do’s:5. Use headlines. They should be short and

clever, but never misleading.

6. Vary leads.

7. Use placement directions if captions are not directly tied to a photograph.

8. Record accurate figures. Never use ambiguous words such as “many,” “numerous,” “some,” “a lot,” etc.

Digital Media Caption Writing 13

Definite Do’s:Definite Do’s:9. Use “said.”

10. Vary font. The font of captions should be different from that of all other copy on the spread. (usually size 8)

11. Check your grammar.

12. Spell check. Enuf sed.

Digital Media Caption Writing 14

Sports Captions:Sports Captions:1. Include the result of the action in the

photograph.

2. Let the reader know who won the game; always give a final score.

3. Identify the game and the players’ positions and jersey numbers for both teams.

4. Do not use nicknames or mascot titles.

Digital Media Caption Writing 15

Complete & Accurate Complete & Accurate ReportingReporting

1. Attend activity or event.2. Interview subjects in photo.3. Interview subjects involved, but not in

photo.4. Get photographer’s notes.5. Research history of activity, event or

subject.

Digital Media Caption Writing 16

The “Formula”The “Formula”1. Short headline.2. First sentence: Answer as many of

the 5Ws and H as possible. Present tense.

3. Second+ sentences: Answer remaining 5Ws and H and give other background information. Past Tense.

4. Quote from person involved in action or eyewitness of action. Use “said.”

Digital Media Caption Writing 17

In Class In Class ActivityActivity

1. Create a list of questions you want to know about this picture.

Digital Media Caption Writing 18

In Class In Class ActivityActivity

• Who is the skier?• Others involved?• Name of stunt?• Day trip or

vacation?• Which lake?• How long has

subject been wakeboarding?

• Best memories of trip?

• Any low points?• Interesting facts

about subject, trip?• Awards? PRs?

Digital Media Caption Writing 19

In Class ActivityIn Class ActivityWrite a caption based on Write a caption based on

the following the following information.information.

• Junior Dillon Hanson, competitive wakeboarder

• Lake Powell, AZ• Summer family vacation, June

2006• Best friend Steve Jones with family• Annual vacation spot – 10th

summer• Placed 2nd in 2003 free-style

category; 1st in 2004• Practiced all week for July

competitions• “It was great to have the chance

to practice before my competitions began in July. My family and friends are a huge support for me. Taking first after losing to a big rival last year made all my hard work worth it.”

Digital Media Caption Writing 20

Types of CaptionsTypes of Captions1. Ident (short for Identify)2. Summary (usually 1 sentence)3. Expanded (necessary for yearbook)4. Quote5. Collective6. Group

Digital Media Caption Writing 21

IdentIdent

Junior Dillon Hanson

Junior Dillon Hanson, freestyle competitor

Junior Dillon Hanson, 2004 freestyle champion

Digital Media Caption Writing 22

SummarySummary

DETERMINATION. During the annual family vacation at Lake Powell, junior Dillon Hanson practices for the Southern California Wakeboarding Competition in July.

Digital Media Caption Writing 23

ExpandedExpandedCONCENTRATION. During the annual family vacation at Lake Powell, junior Dillon Hanson practices for the Southern California Wakeboarding Competition in July. Hanson earned a first place medal in 2004 competition. “It was great to have the chance to practice before my competitions began in July. My family and friends are a huge support for me. Taking first after losing to a big rival last year made all my hard work worth it.”

Digital Media Caption Writing 24

QuoteQuote

“It was great to have the chance to practice before my competitions began in July. My family and friends are a huge support for me. Taking first after losing to a big rival last year made all my hard work worth it. I have already begun preparing for my next event in August.”

Digital Media Caption Writing 25

Collective Collective CONCENTRATION. During the annual family vacation to Lake Powell, junior Dillon Hanson practices for the Southern California Wakeboarding Competition in July. DETERMINATION. While vacationing in Mexico, sophomore Jeremy Fallon learns to sail his uncle’s boat. RELAXATION. After a busy day of sightseeing in southern Italy with his family, freshman Cody Nelson takes a breather on the beach.

Digital Media Caption Writing 26

Front Row: John Cutsinger, Shannon Williams, Rick Brooks, David Kleck Row 2: Cody Cleavelin, Mitch Lorenz, Mike Hill, Kurt Idler, Bruce Nyman Row 3: Alex Brunner, Rinn Cleavelin, Herb Stokes, Jimmy Shellhaas Back Row: Mark Herron, Steve Wirrig, Jack Wilson, Mike Pankoff…

Group Group CaptionCaption

Digital Media Caption Writing 27

Ident CaptionsIdent Captions

Digital Media Caption Writing 28

Summary CaptionsSummary Captions

Digital Media Caption Writing 29

Quote CaptionsQuote Captions

Digital Media Caption Writing 30

Expanded CaptionsExpanded Captions

Digital Media Caption Writing 31

Collective CaptionsCollective Captions

Digital Media Caption Writing 32

Creative CaptionsCreative Captions