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 attentiongetting 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 1692. “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 30st
Captions for editing
1.
A giant Uncle Sam balloon
marched down 6th Avenue during
the Macy's Thanksgiving Day
Parade. This marks the 87th 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 fastmoving 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 31st