Caption Writing Telling Stories With Photography

What Is A Caption? A short description or title accompanying an illustration in a printed text Also called a “cutline” Can draw attention to something that’s not obvious It provides the context for a picture by answering the 5W’s Caption writing involves interviewing, drafting, rewriting, and editing

Types of Captions Basic – Describes the moment captured in the photo – One sentence written in present tense Expanded – Answers the 5W’s with background information and/or a quote – Two or more sentences First sentence is in present tense Subsequent sentences are in past tense

Lead-ins Lead-ins are headlines for your caption Consist of attention-grabbing words or phrases Are often alliterative Are no more than three words – Sparkling Skyscraper – Warning Web – Academic Achiever

As Easy As A-B-C A Action lead-in – List attention-getting words or phrases B Basic information – Who, What, Where and When, written in present tense C Complementary information – Why, written in past tense – A quote

Caption Writing Must-Do’s Avoid stating the obvious – Tell the reader something they don’t know – Captions that include “looking into the camera” or “posing for a photo” will earn an F Identify all people in the picture who are seen clearly Don't start a caption with a person's name or the name of the school

Caption Writing Must-Do’s Give the reader a lot of information in the caption. Use two or three sentences, if possible Using quotes in a caption adds a personal voice Make sure to secure IDs and additional information as you take photos

Let’s Do One

Sentence 1: What are the 5w’s? Using first and last names, identify everyone in the photo (up to five) Interview people in the photo as well as those associated with the activity Accurately describe the action in the photo

Sentence 1 Betty Parris, portrayed by Jane Spane (11), Tituba, played by Sally Dally (10) and Abigail Williams, portrayed by Amy Jamey (12), fall into fits during the fall presentation of “The Crucible.”

Sentence 2: additional info Write another sentence in past tense that contains additional information Expand coverage by going behind the scenes Dig deeper. Get the inside scoop and appeal to the intelligent, curious reader Write additional sentences in past tense

Sentence 2 The Arthur Miller play dramatized the Salem witch trials of 1692.

Sentence 3: complementary information Include any pertinent information It can include a quote – Quotes should always be split – Quotes should always use “said”

Sentence 3 “The Crucible is a difficult production,” said director John Strong. “I am so proud of the hard work our students put in.”

What’s Your Action Lead-In? Write an attention- getting word or phrase that links the caption to the photo – Theatre – Crucible – Witchcraft – Salem – Manipulation – Puritan

Lead-In Puritan Paradox

Final Caption PURITAN PARADOX Betty Parris, portrayed by Jane Spane (11), Tituba, played by Sally Dally (10) and Abigail Williams, portrayed by Amy Jamey (12), fall into fits during the fall presentation of “The Crucible.” The Arthur Miller play dramatized the Salem witch trials of “The Crucible is a difficult production,” said director John Strong. “I am so proud of the hard work our students put in.”

What’s Wrong With This Caption? Amanda Samba, Allen Ballen, and Amelia Tabilia pause to take a photo during the yearbook powder shoot.

What’s Wrong With This Caption? Taking photos before prom, Leanne Heban (12) smoothed out date Justin Shmustin’s hair. “I wanted him to look perfect for our photo,” she said.

What’s Wrong With This Caption? Varsity cheerleader Sydney Andrews (12) acknowledges the crowd as she is introduced during the homecoming game. Andrews also plays softball.

Part 1: caption writing – Major grade Using the captions on the next page, identify what is incorrect about each and write a new, correct caption Create a Word document titled [last name] caption edits [your class period] and save to your H drive. Submit to Mr. Nigrelli via Google Drive by the end of class on Thursday, October 30 st

Captions for editing 1.A giant Uncle Sam balloon marched down 6th Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This marks the 87 th year for the annual New York event. 2.A woman looks at what is left of her home after it was destroyed during a tornado in Washington, Ill., on Nov. 19. Rescue workers were combing through the wreckage in the wake of a fast- moving storm that killed eight people in two states.

part 2: caption writing – major grade Select five photos that you took yourself Insert each photo into a Word document Based on what you know about the 5Ws in the photo, write an expanded caption Title your document [last name] personal captions [your class period] and save to your H drive Submit to Mr. Nigrelli via Google Drive by midnight Friday, October 31 st