Caption Writing
He said, “I …
She said, “ ….
MODULE 12:
CAPTIONS
CAPTIONS SHOULD DO MORE THAN STATE THE
OBVIOUS.
Don’t use Cedar Valley student, Lauren Nealon, loves dance
and wants to be in a professional dance team someday.
We know that she attends Cedar Valley – avoid using our
school name.
THE FIRST SENTENCE OF A CAPTION SHOULD BE
WRITTEN IN PRESENT TENSE BECAUSE THE PHOTO IS
FROZEN IN TIME. THE REST SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN
PAST TENSE.
CAPTIONS ANSWER READERS’ QUESTIONS ABOUT A
PHOTO.
CAPTION WRITING REQUIRES REPORTING = NOTE
TAKING!
1
2
3
Captions
STEP ONE – Answer the Lead?s
• who:
• what:
• when:
• where:
• why:
• how:
1
2
3
Captions
By Parisa
STEP TWO
Summary Caption:
poor – These guys are really
good at football.
Better – Write a headline
Show ME
Who
What
Where
When
Why
How
1
2
3
Captions
To write a SUMMARY CAPTION, write a sentence in present tense explaining the photo.
STEP THREE
Expanded Caption:
Besides mentioning their
names and why they are
playing football, the readers
want to know what game, what
positions they play, what the
score was, and so on.
Write an expanded caption on
your paper.
You might add to what you
wrote as the summary caption
and include something like:
“______ is what it’s all about,” _____
says. After the games it’s a tradition to
___________ and ______.
1
2
3
Captions
For an EXPANDED CAPTION write additional sentences providing relevant information and a quote.
STEP FOUR
List words that
describe these guys
and that will get the
attention of the reader.
The first thing that
comes to mind for me
is:
• TOUGH
write four words that
describe this photo
1
2
3
Captions
Brainstorm a list of attention-getting impact words; select the best option for the caption LEAD-IN.
WRITING A CAPTION IS LIKE WRITING A POEM;
EACH WORD COUNTS.
Choose one of these photos and write:
1. The lead sentence with the 5 w’s and the h
2. A summary caption
3. An expanded caption
If you do not know anything about the photo
you may have to do some reporting and ask the
person who took the photo (but, discuss
softly).