
Quick Caption Writing Checklist
Staffers can use this checklist as a quick and easy way to be sure captions are complete and have variety on each spread.
The caption has some sort of starter — introductory phrase, bold face, color, all caps.
The first sentence is written in present tense.
Subsequent sentences are written in past tense.
The caption has at least two sentences.
There is variety in the way captions start. Not every caption begins with a name.
The caption tells more than what is obvious in the photograph.
The writer’s opinion is avoided in the caption.
The caption uses picture-painting verbs.
The caption gives information not already included in the story.
Sports opponents are identified by jersey number and name.
Want more? Check out our top 10 list for writing detailed captions.
Additional Resources
Staging a Yearbook Rescue
Advisers Jim Govreau and Morgan Miltner both submitted their final yearbooks March 9. But, they still have a book to complete. Read how these staffs teamed up to create a book in two weeks for a neighboring school in need.
Portfolio
Herff Jones Portfolio Vol. 25. It’s our “best of” collection featuring amazing photography, covers, innovations and coverage from yearbooks we print each year. This year our editors carefully combed through the hundreds of entries we received and chose 477 schools whose yearbooks stood out above the rest. To all of …
Building a Yearbook Spread
These fundamentals of yearbook spread design can help ensure the success of any designer’s work.
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