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PRIMARY HEADLINE | The main headline. Uses a few well-selected, creatively designed words to capture readers’ attention and deliver the dominant message as well as an overview of the page content. QUICK READS | Typically short stories or groups of facts presented in a broad range of writing and design formats. Quick-read stories tell figures, facts or opinions. They can be chronologies or interactive formats. QUOTES | Word-for-word statements from sources, showing a reaction to, an explanation for or an interpretation of an activity, event or issue. Quotes with full attribution (person’s name, year in school or other identifier) add human interest to a story.
Writing CAPTIONS | Report relevant mini-stories Captions do not serve the reader when they simply repeat what the reader can see in a photo. To be effective verbal elements, captions should add to what is obvious to a reader. Names are essential.
Captions answer readers’ questions about a photo. Anyone who looks at a photo has at least one question that can’t always be answered visually. When they look at a photo, readers want to know the five W’s and H (who, what, when, where, why, how). The caption should be there to give them that information; names are essential.
Caption writing requires reporting.
SECONDARY HEADLINE | The second tier of information in a headline that adds specific information or details; often written in sentence style.
Photographers should be encouraged, if not required, to get essential information such as names and to write down other observations that could be used in a caption. Or, reporters accompanying photographers could take the notes.
STYLE GUIDE | Spells out the rules for writing as it applies to the yearbook. For consistency in writing, everyone on staff should refer to a general style manual and to one created for their book.
Caption writers should contact the people in the photo and, through mini-interviews, get direct quotes and background information. Another source of material for captions is the interview and research notes compiled for the other stories on the topic.
TRANSITIONS | Details (facts and figures, descriptions) that give context to quotes and make them more meaningful. Transition paragraphs inform readers and help them understand what sources are talking about. Transitions contain the set up for the next quote.
Direct quotes from individuals in the photo add depth. When direct quotes are used in captions, these first-person accounts bring photos to life and add a human perspective. As in stories, direct quotes are preferred over indirect quotes. Not all captions require or call for the use of quotes.
THREE-STEP HEADLINES An effective headline should hook readers’ interest, guide them into the verbal-visual story and tell them what the story is about.
[Whit Pruitt, Bryant High School, AR]
FORMATS | Offer storytelling flexibility Caption formats range from identifications to mini-stories.
ID caption: Identifies individuals and offers a brief explanation of the photo’s content. SUMMARY CAPTION: Highlights the most important aspects of the five W’s and H. EXPANDED CAPTION: Answers the five W’s and H and provides additional details, often direct quotes from individuals pictured.
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FLAG FOOTBALL. Senior Mark Bellman, four-year letterman. FLAG FOOTBALL. To the roar of the home fans, senior Mark Bellman leads the varsity players onto the field against rival University High School in the last game of the district season. For the first time in eight years, the team advanced to regional play-offs shutting out the Tigers, 21-0. FLAG FOOTBALL.To the roar of the home fans, senior Mark Bellman leads the varsity players onto the field against rival University High School in the last game of the district season. For the first time in eight years, the team advanced to regional play-offs shutting out the Tigers, 21-0. “When I was injured in the third game of the season, I just knew my senior year would be the biggest bummer ever. However, when my teammates unanimously voted to let me lead them onto the field the rest of the games, I knew I was still a part of the team and became its biggest fan and cheerleader from the sidelines,” said Bellman, a four-year letterman.
2
that describe and relate to the
key words from step one,
3
story topic. The more colorful
brainstorm rhyming words for
two, craft words and phrases
and expressive the words, the
the words from step one that
that creatively capture the story.
better. Brainstorming in teams
have strong storytelling merit.
In addition to rhyme, consider
List 10 to 15 key words
From the list of
Using the list of key
words from steps one and
of two or three is often helpful.
other literary techniques
Looking at the photos and
including: alliteration,
reading the story often helps
assonance, oxymoron,
build the list of words. For our
antonym, cliché, homonym,
story on the importance of cars
onomatopoeia, pun, rhyme
to teens, we have brainstormed
and synonym.
16 words.