Cutline Writing

1. Cutline Writing Writing & Reporting Fall 2005 -adapted from Herff Jones curriculum guide

2. A Photo Is Worth 1,000 Words? • No photo can tell the readers the essential information without a cutline (caption) • Photos need to tell stories as well • Cutlines tell the reader who, what, where, when, why and how as it relates to the pic

3. Parts Of A Cutline • The Lead-in • 1st Sentence • 2nd + Sentence (s)

4. The Lead-in • Could be a graphic device (i.e. initial cap, bolded letters, symbol, line) or mini-headline that introduces the pic and grabs reader attention

5. The 1st Sentence • Answer the important questions first: who, what, when, where in full detail—must be researched • Written in present tense • Identify the people/action of pic

6. The 2nd Sentence • Answer add’l questions: why/how • Provide info that’s not obvious (Bkgd.) • May include a quote or “fun fact” • Written in past tense

7. Dos of Cutline Writing • Identify all people pictured (up to 5; then just ID main participants) • Consider the action before & during the photo & reaction to the event • Keep content factual • Interview sources to get info just like you would for a story • Use a variety of sentence patterns/starters

8. Don’ts of Cutline Writing • Don’t begin with names • Don’t use labels for lead-ins (i.e. Boys Basketball) • Don’t use cliché phrases (pictured above, seems to, attempts to) • Avoid excessive use of ing words as starters • Avoid passive verbs (is, are, was, were)

9. Don’ts of Cutline Writing • Don’t pad cutline with useless info just to make it longer • Never use “gag” or joke captions • Don’t comment, question or talk to the picture

10. Photo Stories • Make cutlines 3+ sentences long • Include quotes from people in pic • Add details usually included in the story (when club meets/date of dance) • Give add’l info/bkgd. on people pictured

11. Sports Cutline Hints • id players by school & jersey number • State positions, quarter etc. for more detail • Consider those players which led up to the action in the shot • Give outcome of action/game

12. Group Captions • Begin with name of group • Identify from left to right • Use Bottom Row, Second Row, Top Row • Rows should be set off with type or parenthesis • Establish a style and use it

13. Smitty’s Seven Deadly Sins of Cutline Writing(= Automatic Zero on Cutline) • Starting with a name • Pictured here, shown above etc. • Seems to, appears to, attempts to etc.

14. Smitty’s Seven Deadly Sins of Cutline Writing(= Automatic Zero on Cutline) • “This year” or “at your school” • Someone “looks on”

15. Smitty’s Seven Deadly Sins of Cutline Writing(= Automatic Zero on Cutline) “Poses for/smiles for” any reference to posing or smiling “Works hard” “works diligently” etc.

16. A BAD Cutline Suzie Que appears to be working diligently in Math class this year at Lafayette as Timmy Turner smiles for the camera and Jimmy Neutron looks on.

17. Cutlines That Work Music To Her Ears At Missouri Honor Band practice, Amber Twinn listens to Dr. Gerald Welker give directions. Eight students were selected from each area high school to perform as part of the band on Oct. 8. “As a sophomore, it was especially amazing to be selected as a member,” Twinn said. • Identifies the action as well as the people in the photo • Gives important details • Quote highlights her reaction

18. Cutlines That Work A Grand Love Towel in hand, Chris Jones checks the oil in his Grand Prix. He invested over $4,000 in new stereo equipment, an exhaust system and additions to his motor. “During the summer, I wash my car two to three times a week. I never let people in my car who have mud on their shoes,” Jones said. • Identifies the action as well as the person in the photo • Includes appropriate bkgd. Info • Quote refers to the overall topic

19. Cutlines That Work Getting Right To Work Kneeling in front of the hostess stand at the Plaza Café in Bucksville, Laura Mink writes the dinner specials menu. Mink worked three days a week during the early evening shift. “I usually spend the first hour of my shift just getting organized for the dinner rush,” she said. • Identifies the person, action and place • Includes appropriate bkgd. Info about her job and schedule • Quote refers to the action

20. Now You Try: Who: Hal Jalikakik, Carson Busses, Ty Tannic What: Preparing to board flight home to St. Louis Where: San Francisco airport When: April 8, 2006 Why: NSPA nat’l conference How: had to wake up at 5 a.m. for early flight Extra Info: “I was so tired. We sat in sessions all morning for days and went all over San Francisco during our free time”-Busses

21. Now You Try: Who: Stan Dup and Sue Mee What: practicing with marching band Where: at school When: Sept. 8, 2005 Why: preparing for 1st home game How: percussion practiced for 1 hour after reg. band practice Extra Info: percussion competed in eight events this year and placed in the top three at each one

22. Now You Try: Who: Anytown High School students What: heading to 3rd Hour class Where: new stairwell in new addition to school When: first day of school Why: addition needed to create classroom space for increased enrollment now up to 2,800 students How: 12 new rooms (6 on each floor) and new stairwell Extra Info: work finished at 5 a.m. on first day of school