Cutline Checklist*

Here are some tips for writing good cutlines:

� Is it complete? Is there anything unusual in the picture that is not explained in the cutline?

� Does it identify? Identification is the basic purpose of a cutline.

� Does it tell when and

� Where the picture was shot?

� Does it tell what is in the picture, not what is in the story? (In other words, don�t repeat the lead of the story.)

� Does it have the names right? This means are they spelled correctly and in correct order (from left).

� Is it easy to read? The sentences must be short, direct and in proper sequence.

� Is it specific? Does it give information on specific points of interest in the picture, or does it merely echo the obvious?

� Does it have adjectives? Let the reader decide whether the subject is �middle-aged,� �glamorous� and so on. Also, don�t interpret emotions.

� Does the picture suggest another picture? Going to press without the other picture is like running a story before getting all the facts.

� Use present tense in the first sentence that gives identification, the who and what in the picture, and what is happening.

� Use another tense in following sentences and use time element.

� Be clever, but not cutesy

� Try for identification, but don�t stress fact it is unknown. Find a label for those pictured.

� Identify from left to right, and indicated with left if it is not obvious.

� Use full sentences.

*Some of this comes from the Associated Press Managing Editors� Newspaper Committee under the leadership of Emmett Dedmon of the Chicago Sun-Times.