Manager: Editorial Development, Media24

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Ideas Exchange Newsroom Trainers Conference,
Poynter Institute
Captions are also Cool
A workshop on writing Cool Captions
By Dolf Els Manager Editorial Development,
Media24
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Captions are Cool
Outline

• Why are captions important?
• Show and tell Lets write some captions
• Guidelines A tipsheet for later

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Captions are Cool
Methodology - small groups

• Importance of captions 3 - 5 reasons from each
  group Write down and compile handout
• Show and tell Show published pictures without
  caption Discuss from readers perspective Draft
  captions and compare with original
• Guidelines 3 - 5 suggestions from each group
  Write down and compile handout

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Captions are Cool
Examples of pictures used in the workshop
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Captions are Cool
Captions play an important role in
having satisfied readers
or frustrated readers
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Captions are Cool
Lets write some captions
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Captions are Cool
Lets write some captions
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Captions are Cool
Lets write some captions
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Captions are Cool
Dont pull the wool over your readers eyes
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Captions are Cool
Hey, Tiger. What seems to be the problem here?
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Captions are Cool
Always check each and every name
Cartoon Peter Bailey, Beeld
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Captions are Cool
Does the caption answer the readers questions?
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What happened seconds later?
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THE END