UNIT 6: Picture Selection & Caption Writing

WHAT IS A CAPTION? A caption is a short explanation or description of a picture located near the picture. It can be on either side of the picture, above the picture, or below the picture. The information included in a caption is very detailed and specific, but short and to the point. A caption doesn’t always tell the whole story. A caption often accompanies a story.

EXAMPLE OF A CAPTION Water, water everywhere: A driver slowing down to look at a burst water pipe at Jalan Desa Aman 1 in Desa Aman, Cheras.

WHY ARE CAPTIONS IMPORTANT? Captions describe what the reader sees in front of him/her. People look at headlines and pictures to decide what they want to read in the newspaper. If a picture grasps their attention, they will read the caption. If the caption is interesting to them, they will read the article. Captions are another way to tell the news. Captions add color and make the newspaper more interesting. Captions can also show emotion.

WHAT SHOULD A CAPTION INCLUDE Who is in the picture? (if 1-5 people, list names from left to right) Where was the picture taken? What is happening in the picture? When did this happen? Why did this happen? How did this happen?

TIPS FOR WRITING CAPTIONS Give some information that the reader may not know. If a caption is included with a full story or article, keep it short, only 1-2 sentences. If a caption stands alone, without a story or article, 3-5 sentences would be appropriate.

EXERCISE

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