Cutline Writing

Writing & Reporting Fall 2005-adapted from Herff Jones curriculum guide

A Photo Is Worth 1,000 Words?

No photo can tell the readers the essential information without a cutline (caption)

Photos need to tell stories as well

Cutlines tell the reader who, what, where, when, why and how as it relates to the pic

Parts Of A CutlineThe Lead-in

1st Sentence

2nd + Sentence (s)

The Lead-inCould be a graphic device (i.e.

initial cap, bolded letters, symbol, line) or mini-headline that introduces the pic and grabs reader attention

The 1st SentenceAnswer the important questions

first: who, what, when, where in full detail—must be researched

Written in present tense Identify the people/action of pic

The 2nd SentenceAnswer add’l questions like why

and howProvide info that is not obvious

(Bkgd.)May include a quote or “fun fact”Written in past tense

Dos of Cutline Writing Identify all people pictured (up to 5

and them just id main participants)

Lead-ins state the obvious in an unobvious way to grab attention and link pic with rest of cutline

Include the 5 W’s & H

Consider the action before and during the photo and the reaction to the event

Keep content factual

Interview sources to get info just like you would for a story

Use a variety of sentence patterns

Use strong visual and specific nouns

Use colorful, lively, vital action verbs

Use a variety of adverbs and adjectives

Don’ts of Cutline Writing

Don’t begin with names

Don’t use same pattern over & over

Don’t begin with labels

Don’t state the obvious

Don’t use cliché cutline phrases (pictured above, seems to, attempts to)

Avoid excessive use of participial (ing) words

Avoid passive verbs (is, are, was, were)

Don’t pad cutline with useless info just to make it longer

Never use “gag” or joke captions

Don’t comment, question or talk to the picture

Don’t identify year in school in yearbook cutlines

Photo Stories*trendy publications use longer cutlines/ shorter copy to tell the stories

Make cutlines 3+ sentences long Include quotes from people in pic Add details usually included in the

story (when club meets/date of dance)

Give add’l info/bkgd. on people pictured

Sports Cutline Hints id players by school & jersey number State positions, quarter etc. for more

detail Consider those players which led up

to the action in the shot Give outcome of action/game

Group Captions Begin with name of group Identify from left to right Use Bottom Row, Second Row, Top

Row Rows should be set off with type or

parenthesis Establish a style and use it

Smitty’s Seven Deadly Sins of Cutline Writing

(= Automatic Zero on Cutline)

1. Starting with a name

2. Pictured here, shown above etc.

3. Seems to, appears to, attempts to etc.

Smitty’s Seven Deadly Sins of Cutline Writing(= Automatic Zero on Cutline)

4. “This year” or “at Lafayette”

5. Someone “looks on”

6.“Poses for/smiles for” any reference to posing or smiling

7.“Works hard” “works diligently” etc.

Smitty’s Seven Deadly Sins of Cutline Writing

(= Automatic Zero on Cutline)

A Grand Love

Towel in hand, Chris Jones checks the oil in his Grand Prix. He invested over $4,000 in new stereo equipment, an exhaust system and additions to his motor. “During the summer, I wash my car two to three times a week. I never let people in my car who have mud on their shoes,” Jones said.

Cutlines That Work

Identifies the action as well as the person in the photo

Includes appropriate bkgd. Info

Quote refers to the overall topic

Music To Her Ears

At Missouri Honor Band practice, Amber Twinn listens to Dr. Gerald Welker give directions. Eight students were selected from each area high school to perform as part of the band on Oct. 8. “As a sophomore, it was especially amazing to be selected as a member,” Twinn said.

Cutlines That Work

Identifies the action as well as the people in the photo

Gives important details

Quote highlights her reaction

A Special Job

Kneeling in front of the hostess stand at the Plaza Café in Bucksville, Laura Mink writes the dinner specials menu. Mink worked three days a week during the early evening shift. “I usually spend the first hour of my shift just getting organized for the dinner rush,” she said.

Cutlines That Work

Identifies the person, action and place

Includes appropriate bkgd. Info about her job and schedule

Quote refers to the action

Now You Try:Who: Suzie Q, 9

What: Shaping a cup

Where: Ceramics Class

When: Sept. 8, 2005

Why: Final project for first unit in class

How: could not use any tools to shape clay

Extra Info: “It seemed like it would be easy, but it really took a lot of patience to get it smooth.”

Now You Try:Who: Super Fans

What: cheering on Lancer varsity football

Where: LHS stands

When: Sept. 8, 2005

Why: go to every varsity game

How: join club for $5 to get T-shirts, free admission

Extra Info: tailgate before every game

Now You Try:Who: Anna Can, 12

What: Organizing cans

Where: outside Welcome Center

When: Sept. 25, 2005

Why: STUCO canned food drive; students/area businesses donated

How: collected 165,000 cans for Katrina shelters

Extra Info: “We collected so many we had enough for shelters in St. Louis County and St. Charles County.”-Can