Caption writing

1. Caption writing The most-read copy in the yearbook

2. Captions are. . . • small bytes of information • attract attention • connect the photos to the spread

3. Pre-writing • Start with an excellent, story-telling, action/reaction photograph.

4. Pre-writing • Start with an excellent, story-telling, action/reaction photograph. • Talk to the photographer. (He/She was there.)

5. Pre-writing • Start with an excellent, story-telling, action/reaction photograph. • Talk to the photographer. (He/She was there). • Interview people in the photograph and others who were there.

6. Pre-writing • Start with an excellent, story-telling, action/reaction photograph. • Talk to the photographer. (He/She was there). • Interview people in the photograph and others who were there. • Gather the correct spellings of names.

7. Caption Formula Sentence 1: Namesall visible people and details the action/reaction and is written in present tense.

8. Caption Formula Sentence 1: Names all visible people and details the action/reaction and is written in present tense. Sentence 1: Patty Smith, Jessica Sterling, Brandi Adkins and Allie Zarlengo play “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” during the winter concert.

9. Caption Formula Sentence 1: Names all visible people and details the action/reaction and is written in present tense. Sentence 2: Gives needed information that is not obvious in the photograph and is written in past tense. Patty Smith, Jessica Sterling, Brandi Adkins and Allie Zarlengo play “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

10. Caption Formula Sentence 1: Names all visible people and details the action/reaction and is written in present tense. Sentence 2: Gives needed information that is not obvious in the photograph and is written in past tense. Patty Smith, Jessica Sterling, Brandi Adkins and Allie Zarlengo play “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Sentence 2: The flute section practiced during their lunch periods to prepare for the December 1 concert.

11. Caption Formula Sentence 1: Names all visible people and details the action/reaction and is written in present tense. Sentence 2: Gives needed information that is not obvious in the photograph and is written in past tense. Sentence 3: Add a meaningful quote “Although we didn’t have a lot of time to prepare, the end result was a real crowd pleaser,” Sterling said.

12. Caption Example Sophomore Patty Smith, Jessica Sterling, Brandi Adkins and Allie Zarlengo play “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” The flute section practiced during their lunch period for the December concert. “Although we didn’t have a lot of time to prepare, the end result was a real crowd pleaser,” Sterling said.

13. Caption Formula • Start with a strong photo • First sentence: Identify the people and the action in present tense. • Second sentence: Give needed information that is not obvious in the photograph and is written in past tense. • Sentence three: include a dynamic quote.

14. Caption Example After hearing her name announced as a member of the homecoming court, Christa Washington collapses into her best friend, Robin Elliot’s arms.

15. Caption Example After hearing her name announced as a member of the homecoming court, Christa Washington collapses into her best friend, Robin Elliot’s arms.

16. Caption Example After hearing her name announced as a member of the homecoming court, Christa Washington collapses into her best friend, Robin Elliot’s arms. All five of Christa’s older sisters had been named to the homecoming court and had planned to attend the event.

17. Caption Example After hearing her name announced as a member of the homecoming court, Christa Washington collapses into her best friend, Robin Elliot’s arms. All five of Christa’s older sisters had been named to the homecoming court and had planned to attend the event. “I felt so much pressure,” Christa said. “I didn’t want to let my family down.”

18. CAPT I ON Caption-- every picture must have a caption. Answer-- Captions should always answer the 5 W’s Posed-- Posed—the only posed photos in your yearbooks should be group photos Three to five sentences Interview to find facts and details about the event Obvious—Don’t state the obvious. Tell the reader more than what he can see in the picture Never write joke captions, editorialize, or assume what is going on in the photo

19. Sports Photos • Add the result of the play and game/match • Name players from both teams. • Use stats for the second sentence.

20. What questions does this photo beg to have answered?

21. Who: Jeff Anderson What: represents the senior class at the OEHS pep rally When: Friday, October 5 Where: gym Why: Geoff claims to be the ghost of seniors past to carry on the tradition of seniors’ winning the spirit stick Extra: became so popular that he was asked to join the cheerleaders on the court by the end of the season.

22. At the homecoming pep rally, senior Jeff Anderson starts his run as the ghost of seniors past. Jeff wore the regalia to remind the Class of 2014 that it was their responsibility to win the spirit stick. “This started out as a joke, then I could work the crowd into a frenzy and win the stick,” Anderson said. “Before I knew it, I was on the floor with the cheerleaders.”

23. Who: Sophomore Peggy Lee and art teacher Doris Day What: ceramics class, making a pot When: November 18 Where: Pottery II art class

25. AVOID • Posed or weak photos • Beginning captions with names • Weak verbs ( forms of “be”) • Slang • Obvious Details • Unemotional quotes • Nicknames • Rhetorical questions • Vague details

26. Remember • Dynamic first words • Identify the CI in the first sentence. • First reference includes name and title. • Second reference use only last name. • Strong action verbs • Include action and reaction details • Emotional direct quotes • Three sentence minimum