get it write.
When writing out your caption, ensure it has accurate grammar and spelling. Avoid the use of 'text slang' unless it's relevant to the caption.
It certainly makes for a better caption if the reader is able to read your submission through, first time, without having to try to understand what it is you mean.
It's the same with stand-up comics. If they got halfway through a punch line, fumbled, then tried to start again, the build up is lost, and the audience are likely to be less receptive.
5 comments
written by Davie Marshall
15/01/09 10:37am
15/01/09 10:37am
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These days it’s not fashionable to moan about poor English. But when it comes to caption writing, I think it’s essential to get things right. As Davie says, errors are very distracting and they undermine the cleverness of any wit. Fluent writing is a joy to read and is a better way to showcase your wit.
1:35pm
Mks u lk fckn stpd
1:35pm
On another site, I used to mention that it's only courtesy to get the grammar right - I often have to read a submission at least twice to understand what the author is trying to say, which, as you say, kills a joke stone dead. However, people get very uptight about this (and spelling errors), and start talking about dyslexics even when there aren't any involved.
12:34pm
Seems to be the favorite defense of a person who can't admit to a spelling mistake. I know what you mean. I've seen it myself.
The other problem I see very often is... the bizarre... ... use of the ellipses where it isn't needed...
3:09pm
I don't think that one can put too much emphasis on the importance of commas in a caption. Since we're all reading these jokes, we can't really use "comedic timing". Commas will give the reader a natural pause so that he "hears" the proper timing in his head.
This is, to say, don't go over, board with, the commas. Sometimes, less, is more.
Unless you're doing a William Shatner joke.
11:04am