Caption Assignment in Journalism

JMM 108: Writing for

the Digital Age

CAPTIONS (CUTLINES) Assignment

Instructor: Robert Treadwell

Goals

This is a major class assignment that encourages students to write compelling, informational, and fact-based captions (cutlines) for photographs.

Format

This assignment should be:

· typed

· double-spaced

· in 12-point Times New Roman font

· with adequate margins for notes (1” margins is fine)

· printed and stapled

The cover page must include:

· the name of the course

· the name of the instructor

· your name

· the assignment’s title

· the date of submission

Attention should be paid to:

· form (grammar, spelling, punctuation, appearance)

· content (accuracy, clarity, organization, critical and creative thinking, relevance, style)

Grading

Each of the 6 captions (cutlines) in this assignment is worth five (5) points, for a total of 30 points.

Due Date & Time

The Captions (Cutlines) assignment is due on Monday, November 6, at the beginning of class. Deadline is firm and enforced.

Stories must be printed and handed in; I will not accept any assignments by email. If your assignment isn’t ready on November 6 and you turn it in at the next class (November 8), you will only earn half-credit (maximum of 15 points instead of 30). Assignments turned in late are not eligible for rewrites.

Guidelines

1. Write captions (cutlines) for the six photographs provided by the instructor, following the format we discussed in class.

2. You do not need to include the photos when you turn in your assignment; simply type the captions on a separate sheet and label them Photo #1, Photo #2, etc.

3. Use the bullet-point information next to each photo to come up with your caption. You don’t need to use all the information, only what you think is best.

4. Your caption should be long enough and include enough detail to tell the reader everything they need to know about the photo. Be sure to identify people in the photos when you think they need to be identified.

5. Follow all the standard rules of good writing, and make sure to double-check your grammar, punctuation, and spelling.