caption writing fundamentals

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gt caption writing fundamentals

• by john mattingly

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gt importance of captions
gt caption writing fundamentals

• most read text in your book!
• students read captions before features and even
  alternative coverage
• more than meets the eye
• help tell the story behind the photo by
  emphasizing the five ws and h
• preserves the history of your year
• how will you remember what is happening in the
  photo in the years to come?

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gt parts of a caption
gt caption writing fundamentals

• lead-in
• serves as mini-headline for the caption
• description sentence
• verbally illustrates what is happening in the
  photograph
• background sentence
• provides information beyond the photo

Eat my dots! Showing off his old-school video
game skills, English teacher John Darrell plays
his way to the high score on Ms. Pac-Man at
Venuttis Pizzeria. Darrells A.P. Literature
class held a benefit dinner for Hurricane Katrina
victims on October 3.
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gt types of captions
gt caption writing fundamentals

• adjective
• Rainy conditions cant dampen the spirits of the
  varsity cheerleaders as they dance to . . .
• adverb
• Attentively watching for their cues, members of
  the marching band entertain the halftime crowd .
  . .
• common noun
• Time expires as AP Language and Composition
  students complete their difficult final exam . . .

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gt types of captions
gt caption writing fundamentals

• direct quote
• The new SAT format is much tougher for me since
  I dont write very well, said junior Todd Fritz
  as . . .
• gerund
• Jogging is a popular choice for teens looking to
  maintain a healthy lifestyle . . .
• participle
• Concerned students look on from a distance as
  emergency crews arrive to . . .

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gt types of captions usage
gt caption writing fundamentals

• adjective and adverb captions preferred
• although slightly more difficult to write,
  adjective and adverb captions are generally more
  interesting
• limit your use of gerunds and participles
• because they are easier to write, these two types
  are often overused, impacting variety
• do not use proper noun captions
• never begin a caption with the persons name or
  even an adjective that directly modifies the
  person

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gt lead-in
gt caption writing fundamentals

• short, catchy and clever mini-headline
• grabs the readers attention
• captures overall mood of the photo
• links the photo to the info provided in the
  caption

Hammer time.
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gt description sentence
gt caption writing fundamentals

• colorfully describes photo using descriptive
  adjectives and adverbs
• provides details regarding the content of the
  photo
• always written in present tense and active voice

Hammer time.
Hammer time. Carefully shaping the copper ring
with a rawhide mallet, senior Jessica Price puts
the finishing touches on sizing it accurately.
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gt background sentence
gt caption writing fundamentals

• provides information that cannot be obtained from
  looking at the photo
• corresponds to information provided in the
  description sentence
• always written in past tense and active voice

Hammer time. Carefully shaping the copper ring
with a rawhide mallet, senior Jessica Price puts
the finishing touches on sizing it accurately.
Hammer time. Carefully shaping the copper ring
with a rawhide mallet, senior Jessica Price puts
the finishing touches on sizing it accurately.
Known best for her oil paintings, Jessica
received a perfect score on her final Jewelry and
Small Sculpture I portfolio.
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gt caption example
gt caption writing fundamentals
weak John Boyle runs with the football versus
Frederick.
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gt caption example
gt caption writing fundamentals
inadequate Running down the sideline versus
Frederick is John Boyle. The Knights won the game
28-13.
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gt caption example
gt caption writing fundamentals
average Big Gain Running
down the sideline, senior John Boyle returns a
punt versus Frederick. The Knights came back to
win the game 28-13.
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gt caption example
gt caption writing fundamentals
superior Off to the races Deftly
maneuvering through the Cadets punt coverage,
senior John Boyle (9) follows lead-blocker John
Keimig (11) down the sideline for 35 yards versus
Frederick. Boyle, who was selected to the
All-Area team, set a league record with six punt
returns for touchdowns.
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gt caption faux pas
gt caption writing fundamentals
Pictured left, senior Jill Harrison perfectly
analyzes the slide in her attempt to cure the
common cold.

• dont use directional leads
• shown above, below left, etc.
• eliminate editorializing
• adjectives and adverbs that overstate must be
  avoided
• never write gag captions
• only use factual information

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gt steps for writing captions
gt caption writing fundamentals

• research
• compile all needed information
• compose rough draft
• write description and background
• create lead-in
• creatively link action to information
• edit with a quality checklist
• thoroughly evaluate entire caption

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thank you
best wishes!