Caption Writing

Finishing Touches. Burgundy Smith, senior,

grooms her horse before the next class at the 4-H
Spring Show in Salina. Smith and her horse
Patches went on to place high point overall in the
show. I was really excited about winning high
point, but I didnt really think we could do it,
said Smith. Photo Johnson

Captions

A caption is a mini-story that answers all

questions about a photo.
Requires time, thought, research, variety and
consistency to write.

Captions

Also referred to cutlines

Every photo should have a caption for adequate identification
of its contents and to insure its historical value.

Be certain that you write cutlines NOT cutelines.

Captions that talk to the photo or make insinuations

and those that take liberties with the feelings of the
person(s) in the photo are not only unjournalistic
and in poor taste, they are also downright illegal.
Any staff that uses gag cutlines is opening itself up
to problems ranging from black eyes to lawsuits.

Elements of a Caption

Lead-in.

First few words of the first sentence, set in a type

and/or font which distinguishes it from the rest of
the caption.

Preparing for a KAY meeting, juniors Jennifer Mastin, Megan

Wilkerson, and Amber Schartz fill cups with ice prior to a pizza meeting in
the commons.

Elements of a Caption

Lead-in/Catch-lines

Catch-lines are like individual mini-headlines at the

beginning of the caption, and their main advantage
is that they serve as astonishers, or impact words,
to lure the reader into the caption body.
Catch-lines help prevent the monotony that results
when too many captions have the same style of
opening.

Elements of a Caption

Description of the action.

In a sentence explain what is happening in the

photo.
This part is written in present tense.

Preparing for a KAY meeting, juniors Jennifer Mastin, Megan

Wilkerson, and Amber Schartz fill cups with ice prior to a pizza meeting in
the commons.

Elements of a Caption

Description of the action

Do not simply tell what is obvious in the photo.

Tell who, what, where, when, why, and how
What will be important to the readers of this book
now and 20 years from now?
Make sure to identify everyone by name, grade, or
position.
Instead of saying that John Jones is welding, since that should be
obvious to even the slowest of readers, say that John Jones, a
fourth year art student, is in state competition for a sculpting
scholarship.

Elements of a Caption

A Little Something Extra.

Includes any information that might be of interest to

your reader.
Tell what preceded the action, what was the
outcome of the action or any little-known facts
concerning the action.
Write this in past tense.

Pizza meetings were held to accommodate members who could not make
meetings held after school.

Elements of a Caption

Direct Quotation.

An expanded caption can include quotes from the

subject about his/her reaction to the action in the
photo.
Provides one-of-a-kind human interest appeal

Its fun knowing that we can have meetings and learn how we can help
people or do something good for the community, Mastin said.

Elements of a Caption

Photo Credit

Photo credits are valuable for two reasons:

They give credit for a difficult often thankless job.

Photography seems to improve when it becomes public
knowledge who is responsible for the work.

Photo Stevens

Putting it all together

Preparing for a KAY meeting, juniors Jennifer Mastin, Megan
Wilkerson, and Amber Schartz fill cups with ice prior to a pizza meeting in
the commons. Pizza meetings were help to accommodate members who
could not make meetings held after school. Its fun knowing that we can
have meetings and learn how we can help people or do something good for
the community, Mastin said. Photo Stevens

Expanded Caption

Expanded captions should range from 3-4 sentences.

Answer the 5Ws and H in every caption.
Interview those involved in the photo as well as those
associated with the event or activity.
Direct quotes make the caption come alive to create a you are
there effect.

LAST TO LEAVE. In a deserted hallway, freshman twins Chance and Bill

Terry wait for the 5:45 p.m. bus to pick them up and take them home three
hours after the final bell. Because the brothers live next door to the bus
driver, and 15 miles in the opposite direction of the drivers route, they
hang out until the bus swings back past the school. I would much rather
goof off at school than ride the route with 35 screaming first graders,
Chance said. Photo Stevens

Variations on a Caption

Summary Caption

Includes these caption elements:

Lead-in, description of action, and photo credit.

LAST TO LEAVE. In a deserted hallway, freshman

twins Chance and Bill Terry wait for the 5:45 p.m. bus to
pick them up and take them home after school. Photo
Stevens

Variations on a Caption

Candid Identification.

Name individuals and add a brief insight.

Freshman twins Chance and Bill Terry take a 5:45 p.m.

bus home.

Sports captions

An effective sports caption:

Identifies all players in the picture by name and

jersey number. If possible, identify key athletes on
the opposing team as well.
States the position of the player and adds depth to
the description.
Includes the results of the action in the photo as
well as the final score and who won.
Did the player make the basket? Did the action have a key impact
on the score? Did the player or team win any special recognition?

Caption formula

Lead-in
Description of the Action
Something Extra
Direct Quote
Photo Credit

Write an expanded caption. Answer these questions before

you begin to write the caption. Use your name for the
photo credit. Include a quote you think would be
appropriate for this photo.

Who:
What:
Where:
When:
Why:
How: