MODULE 12: CAPTIONS

A caption’s CONTENT combines with a photograph to tell a story. CAPTIONS SHOULD DO MORE THAN STATE THE OBVIOUS. CAPTIONS ANSWER READERS’ QUESTIONS ABOUT A PHOTO. CAPTION WRITING REQUIRES REPORTING. QUOTES FROM INDIVIDUALS IN THE PHOTO ADD DEPTH. 1 2 3 Captions

STEP ONE who: Junior Travis Wilson, competitive wakeboarder what: spent a week practicing for competitions while on a family vacation when: vacation, last week of June, competition in July why: for fun and to improve on last year’s second place how: practice paid off with a first place medal at the Junior X Series Wakeboarding Championship. 1 2 3 Captions Gather INFORMATION about the photograph, answering the 5 W’s and H.

STEP TWO During an annual family vacation in June at Lake Powell, junior Travis Wilson practices for the upcoming Junior X Series Wakeboarding Championship. 1 2 3 Captions To write a SUMMARY CAPTION, write a sentence in present tense explaining the photo.

STEP TWO During an annual family vacation in June at Lake Powell, junior Travis Wilson practices for the upcoming Junior X Series Wakeboarding Championship. His efforts were rewarded with a first place medal. “I live for wakeboarding. It’s an awesome way to push yourself to the limit. My favorite trick is called a tantrum, which is a true back flip.” 1 2 3 Captions For an EXPANDED CAPTION write additional sentences providing relevant information and a quote.

STEP THREE determination flying on water airborne on the fly in the air “boardum” water and air concentration up and away surf the wake flying on water on the fly board walk flip big air wakeboarder air male splash 1 2 3 Captions Brainstorm a list of attention-getting impact words; select the best option for the caption LEAD-IN.

The FORMAT of a caption varies with its function. CAPTION FORMATS RANGE FROM IDENTIFICATIONS TO MINI-STORIES. SPORTS CAPTIONS REQUIRE SPECIFIC DETAILS AND UNDERSTANDING. ONE TYPE OF CAPTION SHOULD BE AVOIDED. 1 2 3 Captions

A caption’s DESIGN works with its content to draw readers. A LEAD-IN SERVES AS A MINI-HEADLINE FOR A CAPTION. THE FIRST SENTENCE INDENTIFIES INDIVIDUALS AND EXPLAINS WHAT IS HAPPENING. A SECOND SENTENCE ADDS INFORMATION AND INSIGHTS. WRITING A CAPTION IS LIKE WRITING A POEM; EACH WORD COUNTS. 1 2 3 Captions

1 2 3 Captions Use TYPOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES to emphasize the caption lead-in.