MODULE 12: CAPTIONS

1 2 3 Captions

A caption’sCONTENT

combineswith a

photographto tell a story.

CAPTIONS SHOULD DO MORETHAN STATE THE OBVIOUS.

CAPTIONS ANSWER READERS’QUESTIONS ABOUT A PHOTO.

CAPTION WRITINGREQUIRES REPORTING.

QUOTES FROM INDIVIDUALSIN THE PHOTO ADD DEPTH.

1 2 3 CaptionsGather INFORMATION about the photograph, answering the 5 W’s and H.

STEP ONE• who: Junior Travis Wilson,competitive wakeboarder• what: spent a week practicing forcompetitions while on a familyvacation• when: vacation, last week ofJune, competition in July• why: for fun and to improve onlast year’s second place• how: practice paid off with a firstplace medal at the Junior X SeriesWakeboarding Championship.

1 2 3 CaptionsTo write a SUMMARY CAPTION, write a sentence in present tense explaining the photo.

STEP TWODuring an annual familyvacation in June at Lake Powell,junior Travis Wilson practicesfor the upcoming Junior XSeries WakeboardingChampionship.

1 2 3 CaptionsFor an EXPANDED CAPTION write additional sentences providing relevant information and a quote.

STEP TWODuring an annual family vacationin June at Lake Powell, juniorTravis Wilson practices for theupcoming Junior X SeriesWakeboarding Championship.His efforts were rewarded witha first place medal. “I live forwakeboarding. It’s anawesome way to push yourselfto the limit. My favorite trick iscalled a tantrum, which is atrue back flip.”

1 2 3 CaptionsBrainstorm 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

1 2 3 Captions

TheFORMAT

of a captionvaries with

its function.

CAPTION FORMATS RANGEFROM IDENTIFICATIONSTO MINI-STORIES.

SPORTS CAPTIONS REQUIRESPECIFIC DETAILSAND UNDERSTANDING.

ONE TYPE OF CAPTIONSHOULD BE AVOIDED.

1 32 Captions

A caption’sDESIGN

works withits content

to drawreaders.

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

THE FIRST SENTENCEINDENTIFIES INDIVIDUALS ANDEXPLAINS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

A SECOND SENTENCE ADDSINFORMATION AND INSIGHTS.

WRITING A CAPTIONIS LIKE WRITING A POEM;EACH WORD COUNTS.

1 32 CaptionsUse TYPOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES to emphasize the caption lead-in.