1. photo110 WRITING A 4-PART CAPTION

2. 1-PART CAPTION: WHO Identify the people in the caption, including full names and classification / title. Example: Sophomores Jenna Beck and Gina Jimenez In some cases, especially small photos or mug shots only need a name and title.

3. 2-PART CAPTION: WHAT & HOW Description, tell what is going on in the photo, without restating the obvious or beginning with the person’s name. Example: During the Homecoming Pep Rally, sophomores Jenna Beck and Gina Jimenez take photos of the dance team performing.

4. 3-PART CAPTION: WHY IMPORTANT Add detail, a second sentence with at least two facts that cannot be known from reading the story (if any) or looking at the photo. This is often the result of the action in the picture. Example: During the Homecoming Pep Rally, sophomores Jenna Beck and Gina Jimenez take photos of the dance team performing. Gina’s sister, senior Laura Jimenez was performing a solo in the routine.

5. 4-PART CAPTION: QUOTE Personalize the caption with a quote: a response from someone in the center of interest. Never ask someone to "give you" a quote. Ask them, “What were you doing here?” or “Why did you do that?” for example. Example: During the Homecoming Pep Rally, sophomores Jenna Beck and Gina Jimenez take photos of the dance team performing. Gina’s sister, senior Laura Jimenez was performing a solo in the routine. “My sister means a lot to me, and since she is going to graduate this year, I want to make it special for her, so I took a lot of pictures,” Gina said.

6. BONUS: LEAD-IN Lead-ins are like a mini headline for a caption. Much like headlines they should capture the reader’s attention and provide information about the photo. Example: SURE SHOT: During the Homecoming Pep Rally, sophomores Jenna Beck and Gina Jimenez take photos of the dance team performing. Gina’s sister, senior Laura Jimenez was performing a solo in the routine. “My sister means a lot to me, and since she is going to graduate this year, I want to make it special for her, so I took a lot of pictures,” Gina said.