TIPS for Writing Better Cutlines
What’s a good cutline?
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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.
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Don’t insult the reader
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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.
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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
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Do it simply. Sue Bullard, left,….
Or Jerry Jones, wearing red, ….
Avoid these
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Is shown
Looking on
Old photos + dates
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Charlton Heston in this 1967 photo
Don’t belabor the obvious
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Don’t say Hillary Clinton, left. We all know
what she looks like.
Use present tense
Use present tense for 1st sentence. The
picture freezes the moment so present
tense creates a sense of immediacy.
 Lincoln Fire Chief Tom Brown carries 3year-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.
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Use the right tone
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Don’t be funny if the picture isn’t.
Identify the main people
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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
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You may need to say John Jones, in red,
rather than far right if that more easily
identifies him.
Starting out
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Avoid using a name at the beginning
unless it’s a well known person.
Choose your words carefully – avoid a
delayed lead.
Use commas
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George Bullard, lower left,
Be conversational
Be accurate
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Verify everything. Check for consistency.
Double-check names. Don’t assume the
photographer’s spelling is right.
Spell-check.
Don’t make judgments
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Never assume anything. Is the man really
asleep in the park? Is he dead? Is he
praying?
Ask questions
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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
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
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Photo shows crowd at 1st 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?
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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?
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Forgery suspect Jorge-Luis Ortega snarls
at the camera after police arrest him at
his Hayward home.