Captions natural extensions of photos

Answer 5Ws & H Complete & accurate reporting Attend activity or event Interview subjects in photo Interview subjects involved not in photo Get photographer’s notes Research history of photo story

great photos raise questions // source

Ask the Questions Quality questions get quality answers Who What When Where Why How Tell readers about the event Describe the best memories of the event Tell us something we can’t see from photo

Get the Answers Who: Junior Jeremy Sinclair What: Swims with turtles/sea creatures When: ‘SeaSplash’ field trip Where: Wildlife Refuge Park Why: Student biologists field trip How: Won ‘SeaSplash’ competition “The whole trip was so much fun. It wasn’t just an in and out rushed tour; we stayed all day and asked tons of questions about what we had heard about at school.” –Sophomore Julie Chan

All the Write Words Lead-in Attention-getting word or phrase relating to the action/reaction of the photo Primary sentence Reports the most important 5Ws & H, showcases the most important aspect in first 5-7 words & is in present tense Secondary sentence(s) Provides details not obvious in the photo (when/why/how) & written in past tense

caption // ident Idents Junior Jeremy Sinclair OR Junior Jeremy Sinclair | Biology field trip OR Junior Jeremy Sinclair | Biology field trip at Wildlife Refuge Park

caption // summary BUBBLICIOUS As the winner of “SeaSplash,” junior Jeremy Sinclair swims with the turtles as well as schools of underwater creatures.

caption // expanded BUBBLICIOUS As the winner of “SeaSplash,” junior Jeremy Sinclair swims with the turtles as well as schools of underwater creatures. For over 30 minutes, Jeremy experienced sea life as a part of the Wildlife Refuge Park field trip. In addition to the sea adventure, student biologists toured the jungle rainforest and exotic aviary sanctuary. “The whole trip was so much fun. It wasn’t just an in and out rushed tour; we stayed all day and asked tons of questions about what we had heard about at school.” –Sophomore Julie Chan

caption // quote BUBBLICIOUS “At first I was really, really scared even though I have snorkeled all of my life. I think what made me nervous was just knowing that all my friends were watching to see if I panicked as I swam with all the exotic fish. There was no way I was going in the shark tank.” –Junior Jeremy Sinclair

caption // collective FRAMED. SMOOTH MOVES LOOK UP FRAMED. Freshman Trey Whitman checks the door frame of the front of the curio cabinet he inspects during Career Day. SMOOTH MOVES. A special clinic at the Performing Arts Center refines dance technique for seniors Lissette Colver and Meredith Moore. LOOK UP. Studying an outdoor sculpture, sophomore Beth Ann Terry classifies it as “modern.”

Caption // group FRESHMAN KEY CLUB RAISES $3,452 FOR CHARITIES Front Row: John Cutsinger, Shannon Williams, Rick Brooks, David Klecka… Row 2: Cody Cleavelin, Mitch Lorenz, Mike Hill, Kurt Idler, Bruce Nyman… Row 3: Alex Brunner, Rinn Cleavelin, Herb Stokes, Jimmy Browning… Back Row: Mark Herron, Steve Wirrig, Jack Wilson, Kevin Grandpre, Adam Richards, Blake Harrop, Steve West.

Editing Guidelines Refine captions for strong appeal Keep captions factual; no editorializing Include honest facts, figures & feelings Go beyond the obvious; capture outcome or consequences of the action Write first sentence in present tense; subsequent sentences in past tense Use visual nouns & action verbs Avoid repetition of words Avoid beginning with names Avoid school name, initials, mascot Maintain style consistency

Practice makes Perfect

Who: Sisters Jasmine and Tracey Powell What: Homecoming Queen coronation When: October 12, 2008 Where: John Henry Football Stadium Why: Tracey crowns Jasmine How: Jasmine wins 78% of student body vote “I’m not sure if I’ve ever experienced more of a surprise than when they announced my name. I truly had no idea I had a chance. The fact that my sister was there to relinquish her crown made the evening amazing.”

Practice makes Perfect Write one each of the following: Ident Summary Expanded

Practice makes Perfect Rewrite this caption: Seniors Katrina Johnson and Molly West have some fun before an assembly.