1. Telling Stories With Photography
Caption Writing
Telling Stories With Photography

7. These aren’t really captions!
Telling Stories With Photography
These aren’t really captions!

13. What Is A Caption?
A short description or title accompanying an illustration in a printed text
Also called a “cutline”
Can draw attention to something not obvious
It provides the context for a picture by answering the 5W’s
Caption writing involves interviewing, drafting, rewriting and editing

14. Types of Captions We write expanded with 3! Basic Expanded
Describes the moment captured in the photo
One sentence written in present tense
Expanded
Answers the 5W’s with background information and/or a quote
Two or more sentences
First sentence is in present tense
Subsequent sentences are in past tense
We write expanded with 3!

15. Lead-ins Lead-ins are headlines for your caption
Consist of attention-grabbing words or phrases
Depending on your publication, can be alliterative or descriptive
We are either one
Are no more than three words
Sparkling Skyscraper
Warning Web
Academic Achiever

16. Caption Writing Must-Do’s
Avoid stating the obvious
Tell the reader something they can’t see by looking at the photo
Captions that include “looking into the camera” or “posing for a photo” will earn an F
Identify all people in the picture who are seen clearly
Using quotes in a caption adds a personal voice

17. Let’s Do One

18. Before you start
Interview people in the photo as well as those associated with the activity
The director, other actors, backstage workers, the audience
Make sure you know when the photo was taken along with who took it

19. Sentence 1: What are the 5w’s?
Using first and last names, identify everyone in the photo (up to five)
Accurately describe the action in the photo using the 5Ws
Make sure that verb is present tense!

20. Sentence 1: What are the 5w’s?
Who:
Ineke Sproet (11) playing afflicted teenager Betty Parris, Taylen Bellow (11) playing housekeeper Tituba and Chelsea Haynes (12) playing manipulative neighbor Abigail Williams
What:
Pretending to be possessed by witchcraft during the RPHS production of “The Crucible”
When:
November
Where:
RPHS
Why:
To rebel against their strict religious society

21. Heeeeeere’s….Sentence 1!
Betty Parris, portrayed by Ineke Sproet (11), Tituba, played by Taylen Bellow (11) and Abigail Williams, portrayed by Chelsea Haynes (12), fall into fits during the November presentation of “The Crucible.”
The verb is “fall”

22. Let’s write Sentence 2!
Write another sentence in past tense that contains additional information
Tell the reader something they cannot see
Get the inside scoop and appeal to the intelligent, curious reader
That means dig up some good stuff!

23. Heeeeeere’s….Sentence 2!
Arthur miller is the playwright
The Arthur Miller play dramatized the Salem witch trials of 1692.
The verb is “dramatized”

24. Let’s write Sentence 3! Quote attribution depends on the publication
Include any pertinent supplemental information
It can include a quote
Quotes should always be split
Quotes should always use “said”
Quote attribution depends on the publication
“Attribution” is who said the quote
We use FIRST LAST on first reference, and LAST on subsequent references
This applies to teachers as well

25. Heeeeeere’s….Sentence 3!
Split quote includes part before the attribution and part after
“The Crucible is a difficult production,” said director Brook Aurand. “I am so proud of the hard work our students put in.”
“said director brook aurand” is the attribution

26. Let’s write the lead-in!
Write down some words that are represented in the photo
Theatre
Crucible
Witchcraft
Salem
Manipulation
Puritan

27. Lead-In ideas Puritan Paradox Manipulative Maidens Wicked Witchcraft
Invented Illness
Religious Rebellion
Afflicted Agitators

28. Put all three together Sentence 1 Sentence 2 Sentence 3
Betty Parris, portrayed by Ineke Sproet (11), Tituba, played by Taylen Bellow (11) and Abigail Williams, portrayed by Chelsea Haynes (12), fall into fits during the November presentation of “The Crucible.”
Sentence 2
The Arthur Miller play dramatized the Salem witch trials of 1692.
Sentence 3
“The Crucible is a difficult production,” said director Brook Aurand. “I am so proud of the hard work our students put in.”

29. Final Caption
PURITAN PARADOX Betty Parris, portrayed by Ineke Sproet (11), Tituba, played by Taylen Bellow (11) and Abigail Williams, portrayed by Chelsea Haynes (12), fall into fits during the November presentation of “The Crucible.” The Arthur Miller play dramatized the Salem witch trials of “The Crucible is a difficult production,” said director Brook Aurand. “I am so proud of the hard work our students put in.”

30. What’s Wrong With This Caption?
Where are their grades?
Amanda Guijosa, Allen Barahona and Amelia Alvarez pause to take a photo during the yearbook holi powder shoot.
Where is the lead-in?
“pause to take a photo”, no second sentence
“pause to take a photo”…tell the reader something they don’t know!
Where is the supplemental information? No quote?

31. What’s Wrong With This Caption?
Taking photos before prom, Leanne Hrebenar (12) smoothed out date Justin Farrar’s hair. “I wanted him to look perfect for our photo,” she said.
Where is the lead-in?
Past tense verb in first sentence
Where is his grade?
“smoothed” is past tense. The first sentence should only be present tense.

32. What’s Wrong With This Caption?
Where is the lead-in?
Varsity cheerleader Mackenzie Bramlett (11) acknowledges the crowd as she is introduced during the Tomball game. Bramlett also takes gymnastics.
Present tense verb in second sentence
Second sentence should always be in past tense
Does this sentence help tell the story?

33. Assignment 1: caption writing
Using the captions on the next page, identify what is incorrect about each and write a new, correct caption
Don’t forget the captions do’s and don’t’s and AP style
Create a Word document titled [last name] captions 1 and save to your team’s OneDrive folder by midnight on Monday, March 20, 2017

34. “Captions 1” assignment
A giant Uncle Sam balloon marched down 6th Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This marks the 87th year for the annual New York event.
A woman looks at what is left of her home after it was destroyed during a tornado in Washington, Ill., on Nov. 19. Rescue workers were combing through the wreckage in the wake of a fast-moving storm that killed eight people in two states.

35. Assignment 2: caption writing
Partner up and give (share in Drive, text or ) your partner a photo that you took yourself or from an event that you took place in
Insert your partner’s photo into a Word document
Interview your partner about the action in the photo
Write an expanded caption for the photo. You must include a quote from your partner
Title your document [last name] captions 2 and save to your H drive
Submit to Mrs. J in your team’s OneDrive folder by midnight on Tuesday, March 21, 2017