How to write good captions

Write the Caption

  • Get the facts straight
  • Get direct quotes from those involved
  • Get correct spelling of all names
  • Get the info on the spot
  • Double-check your info
  • Get signature for quote verification

What’s in a Caption?

  • Action lead in “mini-headline”
  • Begin by listing attention getting words or phrases that come to mind when looking at the picture. Use these for the lead.

Caption formula

  • First statement: LEAD-IN or a teaser
  • Second sentence: PRESENT tense, tells the basic who, what, where, when
  • Third sentence: PAST TENSE, gives more info about the event or person pictured

Vary the lead

  • There are at least twenty ways to start a caption. Look it up.
  • Every caption on your spread should have a different lead.
  • WWWWWH. Swap them around.

Vary the lead

  • Example: Joe Smith laughs his head off as he enjoys his classmates’ presentation of the Myth of Medusa in Mrs. Richardson’s English I class.
  • Example: While his classmates present the Myth of Medusa in Mrs. Richardson’s English I class, Joe Smith laughs his head off.
  • Example: In Mrs. Richardson’s English I class, Joe Smith laughs his head off while his classmates present the Myth of Medusa.

Vary the lead

  • Adjective (Wild with excitement,…)
  • Adverb (Colorfully dressed as aliens,…)
  • Infinitive (To engage the crowd,…)
  • Prepositional phrase (Before the big game,…)
  • Participle (Dressed as aliens,…)
  • Causal (Since the half-time show had…)
  • Conditional (If the drumline performed perfectly…)
  • Gerund (Playing the Martian Mambo,…)

Do not use

  • The wrong verb tense
  • The same beginning over and over
  • Predictions
  • Your opinion
  • Many, several, a lot, dedicated, some, diligently, paid off

Sports Captions

  • These are hard. Get over it.
  • Tell what is happening, using sports language (not “Zoey runs with the ball.”), but keeping it clear enough for the rest of us to understand.
  • Identify the players by jersey number.
  • Identify the other team and mascot (Rockdale Tigers, not just Rockdale).

Sports captions…

  • Name the players
  • Name the team (not just mascot)
  • Give the outcome of the play shown
  • Give the outcome of the game or tournament

More on sports

  • Give the outcome of the play and game (“Zoey’s touchdown started a rally that led to a 67-48 victory for the Ducks.”)
  • Don’t say THS or Ducks unless you have to.
  • Talk to the players and ask them to tell you about what is happening in the photo, and their reactions to it.
  • Do not accept lame or general quotes like “I’m a beast.”

Sample sports caption

  • Preparing to serve - Amy Anderson eyes her opponent in the girls’ singles at the Masonville Open. Amy’s serve was legendary among area tennis players OR Amy placed first in every tournament of the season.
  • Example: This is Sparta! – The Lady Lancers tower over their rivals by overshadowing the Spartan cheering squad on their own home field in Paramus. Many hours were spent during the girls’ summer to bring their stunts and pyramids to perfection.
  • Example: Use your noodle – Juniors KameronReylado and Jack Michaels enjoy authentic Ramen noodles at an Asian Cultural Club meeting. Each meeting features food items from different parts of Asia.
  • Example: Calculate This – Junior Jack Benson focuses on the board while completing a worksheet for SAT Math. Students in this class learn everything from Algebra I, Geometry, and other test-taking skills.
  • Example: Unhappy Gilmore – Sophomore Mike Mazza ensures that his driver is ready. Checking your clubs is an important task before starting a round of golf.