Captions are the text of auditory information in a video, including words and non-speech sounds. Closed captions do not appear under a video by default but can be turned on by the viewer.
At the University of Minnesota, all uploaded videos should include captions that are:
- accurate
- complete
- well-placed
After uploading videos to a platform with automatically-generated captions (e.g. YouTube, Kaltura, VoiceThread), follow this guide to proofread and edit your captions.
- Depending on the platform you are using, you may allow other users to edit the captions.
- For more information, go to Kaltura: Manage Video Permissions.
- The accuracy of auto-generated captions depends on the quality of the audio.
- For support on improving audio, go to Prepare for Recording Audio Voiceovers.
In this article:
- Fix mistakes in spelling, add missing words, and fix punctuation.
- Adjust captions to align with the audio.
- Include speakers, non-speech sounds, and other auditory information.
- Review the video with captions turned on
Editing Closed Captions Guidelines
Fix mistakes in spelling, add missing words, and fix punctuation
Automatically-generated captions will miss some speech sounds and misinterpret what the speaker is saying.
- Ensure that all spoken words are correct and accurate.
- Do not paraphrase or censor what the speaker is saying.
Adjust captions to align with the audio
- Ensure each block of caption text is on-screen for between 1.5 and 6 seconds.
- Generally, use no more than two lines in each block of text.
- Include a speaker identifier using a third line of captions.
- Consider how phrases break across lines.
- Make lines of caption short and easy to read.
- Aim for five to six words per line, or about 32 characters per line.
- Break long caption lines into two shorter lines. Consider:
- Individual word length: some words are longer than others.
- Sentence cadence: make sure the sentence break is at a logical point where speech normally pauses.
Inappropriate (too long):
She said I could order popcorn at the movie theatre.
Inappropriate (unnatural break):
She said I could order
popcorn at the movie theatre.
Appropriate:
She said I could order popcorn
at the movie theatre.
- Refer to the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) Captioning Key section on Line Division for a more detailed explanation and examples.
Include speakers, non-speech sounds, and other auditory information
Speakers
- If there is more than one speaker, add speaker identifiers.
- If it is unclear who is speaking, add speaker identifiers.
- If the speaker's name is known, label it in parentheses.
- If there is back-and-forth conversation between speakers, give each speaker their own block of text.
(Chee)
Put the pumpkin on the table.(Darren)
Can you hand me the carving knife? - If names are unknown, use generic labels.
(Professor)
Turn to page 394. - If it's clear who's speaking on screen, they do not need to be identified.
- Use an angled bracket to identify the speaker.
>Put the pumpkin on the table. - Use a double-angled bracket if the speaker changes.
>>Can you hand me the carving knife?
- Use an angled bracket to identify the speaker.
Sounds
- Omit the sound's source if the source is visible on-screen.
- Put non-speech sounds in brackets on their own line.
Example:
[Applause with cheering] - Include the sound's source description.
Example:
[Plane passing overhead]
Music
- Use objective words to describe music.
Example:
[intense percussive music] - Caption lyrics verbatim.
- Caption the performer and song title, if known.
Example:
[Prince singing "Sometimes It Snows in April"]
Review the video with captions turned on
Check the quality and accuracy of caption lines and non-speech sounds in your video.