Page 144 - Jostens Yearbook_Adviser Guide

6.4 CAPTION STYLE 15. (the “ing” form of a verb used as an adjective). Use them in moderation.
Don’t overuse gerunds (the “ing” form of a verb being used as a noun) or present participles

16. Don’t use the school name, mascot, school initials. These should be obvious.
17. Don’t use the phrase, “this year.” It is redundant.
CAPTION DO’S AND DON’TS 18. Don’t make predictions or speculate. Tell what happened. If you don’t know, find out.

When it comes to captions there are a lot of little rules. 19. Don’t state the irrelevant. If it doesn’t belong, it’s best to leave it out.
Here are the top 20 Do’s and Don’ts of caption writing. 20. Don’t editorialize. Exclude your opinion or the opinions of others. Opinions (good/bad; fun/boring)
are subjective and should be omitted.

1. Do give the outcome of a play in sports captions. If you don’t know it, try to find out.
Players usually remember.
2. Do use quotes to connect the reader with the subject of the photo.
CAPTION DO’S AND DON’TS
3. Do avoid using To Be verbs/passive voice in captions. Do use action verbs.
Example: She was running on the track—Passive; She ran on the track.—Active;
She raced toward the finish line.—Action verb; Active TAKE YOUR CAPTIONS FROM GOOD TO GREAT WITH THESE TOP 20 DO’S AND DON’TS OF CAPTION WRITING.
DO DON’T
4. Do tell what is going on in the photo, not what you think happened. Avoid the
phrases “seems to” or “appears to.” 1. Do give the outcome of a play in sports captions. 11. Don’t use the phrase: “pictured above” or “shown
If you don’t know it, try to find out. Players
here.” Captions should be placed next to their
usually remember. pictures. Photo IDs, like Photo 1 or Photo A, can be
5. Do be specific. Avoid words like many, several or few. Even better, use used, if needed.
actual numbers. 2. Do use quotes to connect the reader with the
subject of the photo.
12. Don’t begin captions with the name of the person
pictured. Look for more interesting ways to begin
6. Do use a style guide and grammar-check your work. A style guide adds consistency. 3. Do avoid using To Be verbs/passive voice in the caption, just as you would with a story.
captions. Do use action verbs.
7. Do get emotional with your writing, especially with quotes. Yearbook copy should 4. Do tell what is going on in the photo, not what you 13. Don’t state the obvious. Tell what is going on in
think happened. Avoid the phrases “seems to” or
capture moments, good and bad. If your story made someone cry, it was probably “appears to.” the picture, but not what the viewer already knows
by looking at the photo. Obvious captions are
well-written. 5. Do: Be specific. Avoid words like “many,” “several,” repetitive and an insult to good photography.
“few.” Even better, use actual numbers. 14. Don’t use quotes that are simply “I like...” or “My
8. Do stick to the facts.
6. Do use a style guide or grammar-check your work. favorite part...” statements. Dig deeper.
9. Do let the facts speak for themselves. Facts are truths. A style guide adds consistency. 15. Don’t overuse gerunds (the “ing” form of a verb
7. Do get emotional with your writing, especially with being used as a noun) or present participles (the
10. Do be original. Captions should hold new information, not repeated material from quotes. Yearbook copy should capture moments, “ing” form of a verb used as an adjective). They are
a good caption lead, just not every lead.
the story. good and bad. If your story made someone cry, it 16. Don’t use the school name, mascot, school initials.
was probably well written.
11. Don’t use the phrase: “pictured above” or “shown here.” Captions should be placed 8. Do let the facts speak for themselves. Facts These should be obvious.
next to their pictures. Photo IDs, like Photo 1 or Photo A, can be used if needed. are truths. 17. Don’t use the phrase, “this year.” It is redundant.
9. Do be original. Captions should hold new 18. Don’t make predictions or speculate. Tell what
12. Don’t begin captions with the name of the person pictured. Look for more interesting information, not repeated material from the story. happened. If you don’t know, find out.
ways to begin the caption, just as you would with a story. 10. Do stick to the facts. 19. Don’t state the irrelevant. If it doesn’t belong, it’s
best to leave it out.
13. Don’t state the obvious. Tell what is going on in the picture, but not what the viewer 20. Don’t editorialize. Exclude your opinion and the
already knows by looking at the photo. Obvious captions are repetitive and an insult opinions of others. Opinions (good/bad; fun/boring)
to good photography. are subjective and should be omitted.
14. Don’t use quotes that are simply “I like...” or “My favorite part...” statements.
Dig deeper.
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144 SECTION 6.4 CAPTION STYLE INTERVIEWING AND CAPTIONS 145