TIPS for Writing Better Cutlines

What’s a good cutline?  A good cutline conveys action, context and meaning. It answers obvious questions.  It should not repeat too much of the story or headline. It should follow style, grammar rules.

Who cares?  Cutlines get higher readership than story text.  Cutline may determine whether a story is read.  Photos make an impression. A good cutline satisfies reader curiosity, adds value.  Think of a cutline like a movie trailer – a compelling preview.

Don’t insult the reader  Don’t say: Barack Obama smiles as he bowls a game in Pennsylvania.  Don’t say: The farmer stands next to the fence.  Your readers know the obvious. Tell them more – why is Obama bowling? What is the farmer growing?

Think mini-stories.  True especially with a standalone photo. Make sure you answer the basics – who, what, when, where, why and how.  You don’t have much space but neither does a 30-second TV story.

Tell us who is who  Do it simply. Sue Bullard, left,….  Or Jerry Jones, wearing red, ….

Avoid these  Is shown  Looking on

Old photos + dates  Charlton Heston in this 1967 photo

Don’t belabor the obvious  Don’t say Hillary Clinton, left. We all know what she looks like.

Use present tense Use present tense for 1 st sentence. The picture freezes the moment so present tense creates a sense of immediacy. Lincoln Fire Chief Tom Brown carries 3- year-old Tina Wilson out of her burning home. Tina's parents, Al and Barb Wilson, died from smoke inhalation Friday when fire destroyed their home.

Use the right tone  Don’t be funny if the picture isn’t.

Identify the main people  Always identify the key figures in a photo.  Photos record history. Don’t leave part of the history blank.  People like to see their names in print.

Look for identifiers  You may need to say John Jones, in red, rather than far right if that more easily identifies him.

Starting out  Avoid using a name at the beginning unless it’s a well known person.  Choose your words carefully – avoid a delayed lead.

Use commas  George Bullard, lower left,

Be conversational

Be accurate  Verify everything. Check for consistency.  Double-check names. Don’t assume the photographer’s spelling is right.  Spell-check.

Don’t make judgments  Never assume anything. Is the man really asleep in the park? Is he dead? Is he praying?

Ask questions  Be as specific as possible. The more specific you are, the easier it is to understand the story. The 100-year-old train station, instead of the old station.  Use language that adds to the photograph.

Use active verbs

Avoid puns, cliches puns,

You are the editor  Photo illustrates a story about the collapse of a stretch of elevated freeway. In the foreground are 2 women who are disturbed by the sight. In the background is the wreckage and assorted police and fire personnel.

Is this a good cutline?  Joline Smith and Mary Jones react in shock and sadness at the sight of the Nimitz Freeway collapse yesterday.

Situation 2  Photo shows crowd at 1 st game of season for local major league baseball team. In the foreground, is youngster wearing a logo jacket and carrying a banner. He’s in the upper deck. In the background is a panorama of the stadium.

Is this a good cutline?  This young fan came to Opening Day to fly the flag and root, root, root for the home team.

Situation 3 Photo shows a Latino man in back of police car. He is looking straight at the camera and appears to be very angry.

Is this a good cutline?  Forgery suspect Jorge-Luis Ortega snarls at the camera after police arrest him at his Hayward home.