Page 139 - Jostens Yearbook_Adviser Guide

2. GROUP CAPTION

A group caption might be used alongside a small grouping of photographs. A group caption functions to assist
6.3 CAPTIONS design and by placing the caption to the side of the photos, the text does not distract from them. Captions in a
group should be limited to no more than five photographs for readability purposes.

Group captions follow the same format as a standard caption, but often combine sentences 1 and 2. Quotes are
Once research and interviews have been conducted, students not necessarily included for each photograph, but there may be one quote for every two photos, as space allows.
may begin to construct their written material. Captions are an
essential piece of yearbook reporting, providing the reader with 2

material unseen in the photograph alone. If the photo captures NUMBERED PHOTOS
Photos are labeled with
the memory, it is the caption that makes that memory timeless. numbers to make it easy
for the reader to find the
corresponding caption.
CAPTION TYPES

There are four basic types of captions: The standard caption, the group caption,
identifications (or idents) and a single quote.

1. STANDARD CAPTION (PREFERRED)
Otherwise known as an expanded caption. Though space can limit its use, it is ideal for
each photograph to have a standard, three-sentence caption. When a full caption is not
possible, a caption without a direct quote or second sentence are acceptable.
■ Lead In: Two or three words, the lead-in serves as a mini-headline for
the caption.
■ Sentence 1: (present tense) Identifies people (up to 5) in the picture using first Seven Lakes Junior High School, TX
and last names and grade levels. Gives most important of 5 W’s and H
(who, what, where, when, why, and how).
3. IDENTIFICATIONS OR “IDENTS”
■ Sentence 2: (past tense) Provides background information that cannot be seen
in the photo. Includes any remaining W’s and H. Indents are simply a name and grade
■ Sentence 3: A direct quote from a person in the photo, attributed with the word level designation, placed alongside a
“said.” It can be more than one sentence, if necessary. photograph. Ideally these are only used
on headshots and cutouts.

1 Note that an extended identification
may be a single sentence with a few
details added.
SNAPPING HER FINGERS
along with the beat, senior For example: Jessie Lucas (8) sings
Gabby Stewart performs a
drama skit alongside seniors The Sound of Music.
Emily Culbreath and Zoie
Glass during the homecoming
pep rally. The drama team
performed a 50s themed dance Utica High School, MI
for the whole school. “It was a
really fun day,” Stewart said. 3
“Everyone enjoyed it, and the
dance was really fun to make
up. It was just a good day.”
Bryant High School, AR

138 SECTION 6.3 CAPTIONS INTERVIEWING AND CAPTIONS 139