Caption Text
Caption text is text that functions to provide information about a photo or image briefly, concisely and
clearly. Before social media existed, caption text was already used in newspapers or magazines to
explain photos, images or graphics contained in the newspaper or magazine.
However, as time goes by, text captions can now be found on social media or articles on the internet
with the same purpose, namely explaining or providing information about the photos, images or videos
that are published. Usually, this caption text is located below the photo, image or video.
Caption Text function
Writing caption text on a photo, image or video does not only function to provide information. However,
there are several other caption text functions, such as:
Make it easier for people to understand more information that is not contained in photos,
images, videos, tables, or graphs.
As a way to convey a certain message from a photo, image, video, table or graph.
Increase the credibility of a photo, image, video, table or graph presented so that it looks more
real.
As a way to attract people to watch the video or see the images presented.
Types of Caption Text
Caption text consists of six types, including identification bar, group identification, cutline, summary,
expanded, and quote. The following is the explanation.
1. Identification bar
The identification bar is a type of caption text that is only used to explain who is in the photo, but does
not explain the story in the photo. This type of caption text is usually used if there is one person in the
photo.
2. Group Identification
This identification group is actually the same as the identification bar. The difference is, group
identification is a type of caption text that is used to explain several people in the photo without
explaining the story in the photo.
3. Cutline
Cutline is a type of caption text that is used to explain who is in the photo and what they are doing. This
type of caption text is most often found in newspapers, magazines or articles.
4. Summary
In this type of caption text, the information provided is more complete, starting from who the person in
the photo is, what they did, when it happened, where it happened, and why it happened. So, it can be
concluded that this summary type caption text contains answers to the 5W questions (Who, What,
Where, When, and Why).
5. Expanded
Expanded caption is a type of caption text that has the most complete information compared to other
types of caption. In this caption, you not only answer the 5W questions, but also 1H (How) or how it
happened and quotes from someone or a source.
6. Quotes
Do you often upload photos accompanied by captions of wise words or quotes quoted from someone?
Well, this quote is a type of caption text.
When writing this type of caption, the words written or quoted from someone must match the photo.
How to Write Good Caption Text
In English, writing caption text should not be done carelessly. Moreover, if you later work in the field of
journalism or use photos for scientific work, then the caption text you write must be adjusted to the
type and rules.
There are several ways you can follow to make the text captions you write, whether on social media,
articles, newspapers or magazines, more pleasant to read. Here are the methods.
1. Adjust to photo
In accordance with the purpose of writing caption text itself, namely providing information that is not
contained in the photo, the caption text should be written in accordance with the photo uploaded or
published in online or offline print media. Avoid writing captions that do not match the photo or image
because it will confuse readers.
Apart from that, also pay attention to whether the photo contains clear and complete information. If so,
you should not need to re-write the same information in the caption text.
2. Caption sentences must be short and clear
When writing caption text, it should not be too long, but clear and dense with information.
On certain social media, writing caption text is usually limited. For example, only up to 2,200 characters
or 150 characters.
3. Make an interesting caption text
Apart from being short, concise and clear, the caption text you write must also be interesting. Usually,
creating interesting text captions is done for writing articles or newspapers. The goal is to get readers
interested in reading the article or newspaper.
4. Pay attention to linguistic elements
If you want to write caption text in English, pay attention to the linguistic elements, such as trying to use
simple present tense and not needing to use article words, such as a, an, or the.