Transcript Writing Headlines, not titles

Writing headlines
Not titles
Basic rules of headline writing
Never write a headline
without reading the
entire story first.
 If the story has a
surprise ending, don’t
give it away in the
headline.

Basic rules of writing headlines
Draw headline information
from near the top of the
story.
 Build the headline around
key words, those that must
be included.
 Build on words in the story,
paraphrasing but not
parroting.

Headlines show action
and contain a verb

Which of these samples are headlines and
contain a verb? Type your answer to #1
A. The roaring lion
B. A lion’s tale
D. Cop requires stitches after lion attack
E. A dangerous lion
F. Lion bites policeman
Are these the headlines you wrote
down?
• Officer hits lion. (Hit is a verb and this is a
complete thought.)
• Cop requires stitches after lion attach.
(Requires is a verb)
• Lion bites policeman. (bites is a verb)
Wrong: The roaring lion: Roaring is used
as an adjective, not a verb, and this is
not a complete thought.
Write a headline for “3 bears” news story
The Three Bears
 Discuss the basic facts
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Exercise: #2

Write 2-3 possible
headlines on your
assignment page.
Possible Headlines
Bears’ house vandalized
 Parents cited for neglect
Child damages home
 Charges filed against girl
for breaking and entering
 Other ?

Change these titles to headlines
Titles usually do not have a verb.
Change these titles to headlines.
1. The Three Little Pigs
2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
3. Indiana Jones
4. Tool Time
Possible headlines for stories

Wolf boiled alive by three pigs
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Apple causes teen to fall into coma
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Scottish clans unite to defeat English
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Taylor takes tumble on Tool Time
Basic rules of headline writing

When you write a headline remember:
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Include a subject and a verb
Use present tense of verb
Eliminate articles (the, an, a)
Don’t use “is” or “are”
Use comma to indicate “and” or a semicolon
Practice writing headlines
Here is a short story. Write a headline for it.
CAMP DOHA,
Kuwait -- The battle for Baghdad began Tuesday night as
U.S. ground forces entered the "Red Zone."
U.S. Army and Marine ground forces advanced on
separate axes into the swath of territory around Baghdad that is
defended by the Republican Guard and has been characterized
by U.S. commanders as the most strategically vital and
treacherous of the war.
Although still 50 miles or more from the capital, the attack
brought the U.S. military one step closer to its ultimate
objective: the capture of Baghdad and the toppling of the
government of President Saddam Hussein.
Headline writing style
Headlines do not end
with a period
 Most papers use “down
style”
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Only the first word and
proper nouns are
capitalized
Most important stories
and headlines are at the
top of the page.
Sample Headlines
 Emotions run high as
Dole retires from Senate
 Eight local schools keep
students indoors this
summer
 Farrakhan praises
Cuban schools

Headline style
Do not center
headlines
 Start headline flush left
on column
 Double or triple
headlines should be
close to the same
length
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Sample triple
headline
Boy wins new bike
Teen steals prize
Police recover bike
Headline writing ideas
Try to arouse the reader’s interest
 Try to be consistent with the tone of the story
 Avoid awkward phrasing that is difficult to read
 Do not mislead reader

Write three possible headlines for
this story.
Brad Jones and Kim Smith always said
the sky was the limit as far as their love
was concerned. Last week they proved it
by getting married--in midair.
Jones and Smith and a daring pastor, the Rev.
Charles Brown, strapped on parachutes Saturday
morning and jumped out of a plane at 10,000 fee.
The trio clasped hands to form a ring while the
Rev. Brown conducted the ceremony.
Practice writing headlines
Possible headlines from teacher
1. Sky’s no limit for midair wedding
2. Put on your parachute
if you want to keep up with the Joneses
3.Free fall marriage performed
4. Wedding in the blue
Couple says ‘I do’
Rules of headline writing
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Use acronyms sparingly--avoid
alphabet soup
Avoid using nouns that can be
read a verbs, or vice versa
Avoid double entendres that
could be misleading
Avoid awkward phrasing that is
difficult to read
Make sure headline is accurate
and balanced

Problem headlines
PTA charges FBLA
and FFA with theft
 Police slay suspect
bound over for trail
 Relatives served
at family dinner
 Man with two broken legs
saves one from drowning
 Oklahoman hit by auto riding
on motorcycle
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What’s wrong with these headlines?
Wife charges husband
killed her for money
 Man who shot himself
accidentally dies
 Boy chasing fox found
rabid
 Andalusia girl improved
after drinking poison
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Enjoy some headline humor
-Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge
-Deer Kill 17,000
--Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
- Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
- New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
-Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
- Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
--Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
- Arson Suspect is Held in Massachusetts Fire
- British Union Finds Dwarfs in Short Supply