Embedded Files
Writing Your Story Summary
Writing Your Story Summary
The story summary stems from what you have learned since you wrote your declarative statement. Why do we care about the story subjects? What is the theme or challenge in life this week? You don’t have to conclude your story here, allow your photographs to do that for you. Estimate using 100 to 175 words.
The story summary stems from what you have learned since you wrote your declarative statement. Why do we care about the story subjects? What is the theme or challenge in life this week? You don’t have to conclude your story here, allow your photographs to do that for you. Estimate using 100 to 175 words.
Here’s a 98-word example from Morgan Timms’ story from MPW71, Growing Up Early:
Here’s a 98-word example from Morgan Timms’ story from MPW71, Growing Up Early:
Boonville High School junior Jordan Brackman is reminded of her father every day in the school hallways. He was the Assistant Superintendent of Boonville’s School District. Four years after his death, Jordan, her mother and her younger brother draw strength from their love for one another. Jordan navigates adolescence and becoming a young woman in the wake of the family’s loss, using the memory of her father to motivate her.
Boonville High School junior Jordan Brackman is reminded of her father every day in the school hallways. He was the Assistant Superintendent of Boonville’s School District. Four years after his death, Jordan, her mother and her younger brother draw strength from their love for one another. Jordan navigates adolescence and becoming a young woman in the wake of the family’s loss, using the memory of her father to motivate her.
“I do believe that his spirit is with me every day and he’s watching over me,” Jordan said. “I know I’m making him proud.”
“I do believe that his spirit is with me every day and he’s watching over me,” Jordan said. “I know I’m making him proud.”
Writing Your Captions
Writing Your Captions
Make sure to include the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY & HOW. If you’re missing any of these elements, contact the story subjects for more information as time allows.
Who?
This is one of the most important pieces of information in the caption. Accurately identify everyone in the photo. Identify people from left to right. Add ages and titles, especially if this information is important to the narrative.
What?
Don’t state what is obvious in the photograph. Make sure to explain the reasons behind the actions in the photograph. What effects will these actions have on the people or the community?
When?
If it is pertinent to the story, include the exact time and date. If the farmer wakes at 4:00 a.m. to milk the cows, the time is important.
Where?
You can vary the specific or general location according to the event. You can simply write the town’s name, or you can tell us the person is” under the stairs in the basement.”
Why?
Let the reader know why they should care. Why is the particular event or subject interesting enough to photograph and how does it affect the community? Help the readers’ understanding of what is going on in the photograph.
Other Good Tips
Quotes are helpful when appropriate.
Specific caption styles may vary from publication to publication.
Sports captions are difficult. Learn the terminology of the sport you are photographing and use it — know the position of the player possibly what kind of play was captured.
Don’t editorialize your caption.
Be short and to the point.
Let the reader know if any special effects were used in the making of the photograph.
Don’t explain to the reader how the person in the photograph feels, unless you have a direct quote or are able to paraphrase their state of mind.
Readers will read the caption before looking at the story, so answer questions or set the stage.
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