THINGS TO REMEMBER
A well-written caption provides
the context for a picture by
answering the who, what, when,
where, why and how
Caption writing involves
interviewing, prewriting, drafting,
rewriting and editing
TYPES OF CAPTIONS
 BASIC – Identifies the moment
captured in the picture and written in
present tense
 EXPANDED – Answers 5 Ws & H
with background information and
quote to personalize information
 IDENTIFICATION – Uses person’s
first and last name and grade
TYPES OF CAPTIONS
 COLLECTION – Describes the total
package and is accompanied by
identifications
 GROUPED – Photos are numbered
and captions are grouped with
corresponding numbers
 GROUP IDENTS– Should have a
title (group name) and name rows in
different type so they’re easy to find
TYPES OF
CAPTIONS
BASIC
Sentence captions identify people (up to
five) and describe the action in the photo in
present tense. They are often used when
space is limited or when there are a number
of photos on the spread which are closely
related.
TYPES OF
CAPTIONS
EXPANDED
Expanded captions add one or two
sentences to the basic sentence caption to
tell a more complete story. The sentence
that describes the action is followed by a
sentence that expands on the moment
captured in the photo. This sentence is
written in past tense.
TYPES OF CAPTIONS
IDENTIFICATION
Need to include more people in your book?
Consider running candid portraits through the book
with simple identifications.
TYPES OF CAPTIONS
IDENT+QUOTE
Need to include more people in your book?
Consider running candid portraits through the book
with simple identifications.
TYPES OF CAPTIONS
IDENTIFICATION
Identify up to five people in a photo.
After five, identify the group, i.e.
cheerleaders, drum line.
Idents include first and last names.
They may also include class, and/or
position (quarterback, Key Club officer,
etc. They are usually used with a photo
collection (1st degree of separation).
TYPES OF CAPTIONS
GROUPED
When
captions are
grouped, a
number is
placed on the
photo to link
the picture to
the correct
caption.
Captions are
generally the
basic “who,
what, where”
variety.
TYPES OF CAPTIONS
COLLECTION
CONFERENCE CHAMPS. With unprecedented
support from both the school and the
community, the football team rallied from a
20 point deficit to defeat Fairview 28-27 in
the conference championship game on Nov. 3.
Fans were brought to their feet when injured
running back Lawrence Nichols returned to
the game after pulling the a calf muscle in
the opening minutes of the second half.
“When we were presented the championship
trophy, all I could think of was the speech
that Jon Germuska gave in the locker room
at half-time. He talked about believing in
ourselves. After all the setbacks as a result of
injuries, we showed that we are a team that
has character. We had another chance to
prove that we are a team that never backs
down and never gives up. It was awesome to
come from behind and beat Fairview,” said
kicker Jonah Martin, senior.
Sophomores Tricia Keane, Helen Lanning, Liz Grabo
Trainers Emily Grady, senior; and Sam Grabo, junior; running back Lawrence Nichols, senior
Collection
captions
describe the
total package
and are
accompanied by
idents.
Photos must
have a common
theme for this
type of caption
to be effective.
2006 Pioneer Conference Champions
Dance team juniors
AS EASY AS A, B, C
A — Action Lead-In
B — Basic Information
C — Complementary Information
AS EASY AS A, B, C
A — Action Lead-In
B — Basic Information
C — Complementary
Information
BASIC INFORMATION
Just the facts
RESEARCH. Find out the who, what,
where and when.
.
B — BASIC INFORMATION
Facts from interview
WHO: seniors Bre Hunt and Sarah Ware,
junior Michael Visker
WHAT: Visker wore the blood drive suit to
promote giving blood; Hunt & Ware check
“Stop the Music” play list
WHERE: cafeteria
WHEN: HUG week
A — ACTION LEAD-IN
List words or phrases
that come to mind when
looking at the picture
•
•
•
•
•
•
Red
Eyes/Glasses
Look
Suit
Music
Money
A — ACTION LEAD-IN
•
•
•
•
Write an attentiongetting word or
phrase that links the
caption to the picture
Blood Money
STOP
Look here
Hit List
B — BASIC INFORMATION
Just the facts
• Using first and last
names, identify everyone
in the photo (up to five)
• Interview people in the
picture as well as those
associated with the
activity
• Accurately describe the
action in the photo
B — BASIC INFORMATION
Write now
Dressed as a blood drop,
junior Michael Visker
watches as seniors
Bre Hunt and Sarah Ware
check the “Stop the Music”
list, one of the HUG week
fundraisers.
B — BASIC INFORMATION
Keep on writing
Write another sentence that
contains key information.
Write it in PAST tense.
Annoying songs like “Who Let
the Dogs Out” by the Baha
Men would play until someone
paid $5.00 to “Stop the Bop.”
C — COMPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION
Wrap it up
• 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
C—
COMPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION
Wrap it up
Because Wednesday was
“Where’s Waldo? Day,”
students were given 3-D
glasses to search for him.
+ — Add a Quote
Write now
“It’s fun to be in the blood
drive suit,” Visker said. “I
can make people laugh and
it’s for a good cause. Adding
the Waldo glasses was a
nice touch.”
Final Caption
SEEING RED. Dressed as a blood drop, junior Michael
Visker watches as seniors Bre Hunt and Sarah Ware check
the “Stop the Music” list, one of the HUG week fundraisers.
Annoying songs like “Who Let the Dogs Out” by the Baha Men
would play until someone paid $5.00 to “Stop the Bop.”
Because Wednesday was “Where’s Waldo? Day,” students
purchased 3-D glasses to wear all day. “It’s fun to be in the
blood drive suit,” Visker said. “I can make people laugh and it’s
for a good cause.”
Final Caption
SEEING RED. Dressed as a blood drop, junior Michael
Visker watches as seniors Bre Hunt and Sarah Ware check
the “Stop the Music” list, one of the HUG week fundraisers.
Annoying songs like “Who Let the Dogs Out” by the Baha Men
would play until someone paid $5.00 to “Stop the Bop.”
Because Wednesday was “Where’s Waldo? Day,” students
purchased 3-D glasses to wear all day. “It’s fun to be in the
blood drive suit,” Visker said. “I can make people laugh and it’s
for a good cause.” photo by caitlin dailey
CHECK DETAILS
• Are names spelled correctly? Michael or
Mikel, Sarah or Sara?
• Is grade classification included?
• Have you made sure the caption does not
begin with a name?
• Is there a widow?
CAPTION WRITING TIPS
• Do not editorialize.
•
•
•
•
Go, Team!
Congratulations, (insert group name here)
We love our players
Go out and support the (insert mascot
here)
• We have the best (insert group or team
name here) ever
• Avoid clichés or trite wording that
describe actions with feelings, such as
happily rejoices, jumps with joy, claps
with glee, etc.
BASIC
Using the information provided below,
write a BASIC caption in present tense.
Who: Seniors Amy Antal and Josh Fouse
What: Amy paints Josh’s face in blue and gold at the “Rally in the Alley.”
Where: The “Rally in the Alley” started in 2003 and was held at a senior’s home. The entire
school was invited to a barbeque before each home game.
When: The picture was taken before the first home football game of the season against the
Canon MacMillan, “Big Macs.” The final score was 33-14.
If your basic caption begins with Amy & Josh’s
names or “Rally in the Alley,” rewrite with
another beginning.
Adjective
Real crowd pleasers, the drumline performs Martian Mambo before the Westlake game.
Adverb
Colorfully dressed as aliens, the drumline performs Martian Mambo before the Westlake game.
Infinitive
To engage the crowd before the Westlake game, the drumline performs Martian Mambo in alien
attire.
Prepositional
Before the Westlake game, the drumline performs Martian Mambo in alien attire.
Participle
Dressed as aliens, the drumline performs Martian Mambo before the Westlake game.
Causal
Since the half-time show had a Star Wars theme, the drumline previewed the performance for
the pre-game crowd with the Martian Mambo.
Conditional
If the drumline performed their pre-game warm-up in alien attire, the Band Boosters promised
the percussionists five extra large pizzas.
Gerund
Playing the Martian Mambo, the drumline, dressed in alien attire, warms up the pre-game
crowd.
EXPANDED
Using the information provided below,
write an additional sentence in past tense.
Why: The number 44 on Amy’s face was to support senior running back and linebacker, Tyler Beitel.
How: Students painted up, cooked dogs and burgers, and listened to student rock bands. The
tradition has moved several times. This particular picture was taken at senior Angelea Kuruc’s
grandmother’s house, the location of this year’s “Rally in the Alley.”
Quote from Antal: “The worst part was when the paint dried and cracked all over everyone’s skin.
It really hurt.”
Now that you have all the information, write
a 2-3 word lead-in that will establish a
visual/verbal connection.
LEAD-IN:
BASIC INFORMATION:
COMPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
QUOTE:
Who: Eighth grade Sailfish students
Hailey Wilmot, Anthony Bird and Jessie
McClenney
What: Field trip to the outer banks
When: Friday, February 16, 2008
Where: Crystal Coast
Why: Searching for clams and learning
about coastal ecology.
Quote: “We had to take off our shoes
and socks and dig into the mud with our
toes to feel for clams. The first time I felt
one, I screamed and fell into the water,”
Jessie McClenney said.
Caption
Checklist
a First sentence of caption is
written in present tense.
a Second & third sentences are
written in past tense.
a The caption indicates when &
where the action is taking place.
a The following words are NOT
used:
many
several
a lot
dedicated
some
diligently
Write a three-part caption with a quote.
A—Action lead-in
B—Basic information
C—Complementary Information
“Quote”
Who: Eighth grade Sailfish students
Hailey Wilmot, Anthony Bird and Jessie
McClenney
What: Field trip to the outer banks
When: Friday, February 16, 2008
Where: Crystal Coast
Why: Searching for clams and learning
about coastal ecology.
Quote: “We had to take off our shoes
and socks and dig into the mud with our
toes to feel for clams. The first time I felt
one, I screamed and fell into the water,”
Jessie McClenney said.
Caption
Checklist
a The caption does not make
predictions about next year’s
team, class, club, etc.
a In sports captions, the
outcome of the play is given.
a The caption has an attentiongetting lead.
a The caption thoroughly
explains the action in the photo.
CAPTION WRITING TIPS
• Use various styles for starting captions.
Do not rely only on -ing words.
What
When
Where
Why/How
Singing I Think I
Love You by
Jessica Simpson,
sophomore
Amanda
Demspey
entertains the
crowd during
intermission.
After the first half
of the annual
fashion show,
sophomore
Amanda
Dempsey sings a
rendition of I
Think I Love You.
On the dimly lit
school
auditorium stage,
sophomore
Amanda
Dempsey sings a
rendition of I
Think I Love You.
While the fashion
show models
change into
different outfits
backstage,
sophomore
Amanda
Dempsey
entertains the
crowd with a
rendition of I
Think I Love You.
• Do not state the obvious.
CAPTION WRITING TIPS
Sports captions
• Check the type of caption that is used in your
section (such as sentence or expanded)
• Include the following:
– The play’s outcome (when appropriate)
– The names of all players from all teams in the
photo
– Uniform or jersey numbers in parentheses for
all players
• If you do not have organized sports, cover
sports clubs & individual sports.
CAPTION WRITING TIPS
Sports captions
• In secondary information include:
– Statistics about the team, the player,
the season and previous games
played against the opponent, etc.
– Avoid relating the final score.
CAPTION WRITING TIPS
Sports captions
FLIPPIN’ OUT.
With perfect form,
Brandon Deane
practices a tre flip
up a roll, at New Smyrna
Beach Skatepark.
The tre flip is a 360° kick
flip that takes practice to
get just right.”Right after
I was done, TJ Sizemore
broke his arm. It was
pretty Gnar,” Brandon
said.
CAPTION WRITING TIPS
Group photo captions
• Identify the group
• Start from the front
row and work left to
right
• Label each row as
front row, second
row,… back row
• Identify people with
special titles by
placing the title in
parenthesis after
the person’s name
Example
Science Club: Front RowGina DeLaCruz (adviser), Matt
James; Second Row- Ferra
McKinzey, Tina Marks, J.J.
Timmons; Back Row- Hannah
Dims, Yolanda Gulickson.
Note the use of bold face for
club name, italics for the row
designations
CAPTION DESIGN
CAPTION DESIGN
photo by Justin Black
Photo credit placement
photo by Justin Black
With a time-out on their hands,
cheerleaders Jessica Rehms and
Carrie Smythe accompany their
facial contortions with rude noises
for the benefit of their squad.
“Luckily, no one in the stands could
see or hear us,” Smythe said.
photo by Justin Black
Photos may have photo credits
Choose one style and stick with it!
CAPTION DESIGN
photo by Justin Black
Photo credit placement
photo by Justin Black
With a time-out on their hands,
cheerleaders Jessica Rehms and
Carrie Smythe accompany their
facial contortions with rude noises
for the benefit of their squad.
“Luckily, no one in the stands could
see or hear us,” Smythe said.
photo by Justin Black
– Placement styles:
At the
Under
the of
caption
photo
aligned
in italics
with the
• On
theend
rightofside
the photo
flowing
from
rightedge
edgeofinthe
italics
the bottom
photo up in italics
This PowerPoint presentation was created by Balfour Yearbooks, Dallas, Texas, for
educational purposes only. It is unlawful to remove or alter the Balfour logo without the
permission of Balfour Yearbooks’ Marketing Department. For more information,
contact Judi Coolidge, Education Specialist at judi.coolidge@balfour.com.