Captions

natural extensions of photos

Answer 5Ws & H

Complete & accurate reportingAttend activity or event

Interview subjects in photo

Interview subjects involved not in photo

Get photographer’s notes

Research history of photo story

great photos raise questions // source

Ask the QuestionsQuality questions get quality answers

Who What When Where Why How Tell readers about the eventDescribe the best memories of the eventTell us something we can’t see from photo

Get the AnswersWho: Junior Jeremy Sinclair

What: Swims with turtles/sea creatures

When: ‘SeaSplash’ field trip

Where: Wildlife Refuge Park

Why: Student biologists field trip

How: Won ‘SeaSplash’ competition

“The whole trip was so much fun. It wasn’t just an in and out rushed tour; we stayed all day and asked tons of questions about what we had heard about at school.” –Sophomore Julie Chan

All the Write WordsLead-in

Attention-getting word or phrase relating to the action/reaction of the photo

Primary sentenceReports the most important 5Ws & H,

showcases the most important aspect in first 5-7 words & is in present tense

Secondary sentence(s)Provides details not obvious in the photo

(when/why/how) & written in past tense

caption // ident

IdentsIdents Junior Jeremy Sinclair

OR

Junior Jeremy Sinclair | Biology field trip

OR

Junior Jeremy Sinclair | Biology field trip at Wildlife Refuge Park

caption // summary

BUBBLICIOUSBUBBLICIOUSAs the winner of “SeaSplash,” junior Jeremy Sinclair swims with the turtles as well as schools of underwater creatures.

caption // expanded

BUBBLICIOUSBUBBLICIOUSAs the winner of “SeaSplash,” junior Jeremy Sinclair swims with the turtles as well as schools of underwater creatures. For over 30 minutes, Jeremy experienced sea life as a part of the Wildlife Refuge Park field trip. In addition to the sea adventure, student biologists toured the jungle rainforest and exotic aviary sanctuary. “The whole trip was so much fun. It wasn’t just an in and out rushed tour; we stayed all day and asked tons of questions about what we had heard about at school.”

–Sophomore Julie Chan

caption // quote

BUBBLICIOUS BUBBLICIOUS “At first I was really, really scared even though I have snorkeled all of my life. I think what made me nervous was just knowing that all my friends were watching to see if I panicked as I swam with all the exotic fish. There was no way I was going in the shark tank.”

–Junior Jeremy Sinclair

caption // collective

FRAMED.FRAMED. Freshman Trey Whitman checks the door frame of the front of the curio cabinet he inspects during Career Day. SMOOTHSMOOTH MOVESMOVES. A special clinic at the Performing Arts Center refines dance technique for seniors Lissette Colver and Meredith Moore. LOOK UPLOOK UP. Studying an outdoor sculpture, sophomore Beth Ann Terry classifies it as “modern.”

Caption // group

FRESHMAN KEY CLUB RAISES $3,452 FOR CHARITIESFront Row: John Cutsinger, Shannon Williams, Rick Brooks, David Klecka… Row 2: Cody Cleavelin, Mitch Lorenz, Mike Hill, Kurt Idler, Bruce Nyman… Row 3: Alex Brunner, Rinn Cleavelin, Herb Stokes, Jimmy Browning… Back Row: Mark Herron, Steve Wirrig, Jack Wilson, Kevin Grandpre, Adam Richards, Blake Harrop, Steve West.

Editing GuidelinesRefine captions for strong appeal

Keep captions factual; no editorializingInclude honest facts, figures & feelingsGo beyond the obvious; capture outcome

or consequences of the actionWrite first sentence in present tense;

subsequent sentences in past tenseUse visual nouns & action verbsAvoid repetition of wordsAvoid beginning with namesAvoid school name, initials, mascotMaintain style consistency

Practice makes Perfect

Practice makes PerfectWho: Sisters Jasmine and Tracey PowellWhat: Homecoming Queen coronationWhen: October 12, 2008Where: John Henry Football StadiumWhy: Tracey crowns JasmineHow: Jasmine wins 78% of student body vote

“I’m not sure if I’ve ever experienced more of a surprise than when they announced my name. I truly had no idea I had a chance. The fact that my sister was there to relinquish her crown made the evening amazing.”

Practice makes Perfect

Write one each of the following:IdentSummaryExpanded

Practice makes Perfect

Rewrite this caption:

Seniors Katrina Johnson and Molly West have some fun before an assembly.