MODULE 12: CAPTIONS

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A caption’s

CONTENT combines

with a

photograph

to tell a story.

CAPTIONS SHOULD DO MORE THAN STATE THE OBVIOUS.

CAPTIONS ANSWER READERS’ QUESTIONS ABOUT A PHOTO.

CAPTION WRITING REQUIRES REPORTING.

QUOTES FROM INDIVIDUALS IN THE PHOTO ADD DEPTH.

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Gather INFORMATION about the photograph, answering the 5 W’s and H.

STEP ONE• who: Junior Travis Wilson, competitive wakeboarder

• what: spent a week practicing for competitions while on a family vacation

• when: vacation, last week of June, competition in July

• why: for fun and to improve on last year’s second place

• how: practice paid off with a first place medal at the Junior X Series Wakeboarding Championship.

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To write a SUMMARY CAPTION, write a sentence in present tense explaining the photo.

STEP TWODuring an annual family vacation in June at Lake Powell, junior Travis Wilson practices for the upcoming Junior X Series Wakeboarding Championship.

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For an EXPANDED CAPTION write additional sentences providing relevant information and a quote.

STEP TWODuring an annual family vacation in June at Lake Powell, junior Travis Wilson practices for the upcoming Junior X Series Wakeboarding Championship. His efforts were rewarded with a first place medal. “I live for wakeboarding. It’s an awesome way to push yourself to the limit. My favorite trick is called a tantrum, which is a true back flip.”

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Brainstorm a list of attention-getting impact words; select the best option for the caption LEAD-IN.

STEP THREE• determination• airborne• in the air• “boardum”• water and air• concentration• up and away• concentration• surf the wake

• flying on water• on the fly• board walk • flip• big air• wakeboarder • air male• splash

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The

FORMAT of a caption

varies with

its function.

CAPTION FORMATS RANGE FROM IDENTIFICATIONS TO MINI-STORIES.

SPORTS CAPTIONS REQUIRE SPECIFIC DETAILS AND UNDERSTANDING.

ONE TYPE OF CAPTION SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

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A caption’s

DESIGN works with

its content

to draw

readers.

A LEAD-IN SERVES AS A MINI-HEADLINE FOR A CAPTION.

THE FIRST SENTENCE INDENTIFIES INDIVIDUALS AND EXPLAINS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

A SECOND SENTENCE ADDS INFORMATION AND INSIGHTS.

WRITING A CAPTION IS LIKE WRITING A POEM; EACH WORD COUNTS.

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Use TYPOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES to emphasize the caption lead-in.