WRITING: headlines

captures & keeps readers with clever

diction & clear details reflects the dominant photo’s content

Verbal

Visual

Headlinesthe verbal-visual connection

• (an entry point)• uses type creatively

Headlines the verbal-visual connection

• Identify content

•Tell something specific about the season, event, etc.

• Capture the readers’ attention

Headlines the verbal-visual connection

Headline anatomy

Primary headline – The Teaser• Intrigues the reader visually and/or verbally (larger

than anything else on the spread.)

•Provides information specific to the year & identifies the spread’s focus (subject and verb are needed.) This is smaller then the primary head.

Secondary headline – The Teller

secondary headline Teller

Homecoming

Reign DelayGame, field coronation cometo a thundering halt

Label (avoid using these)

primary headline Teaser

• Identify content?

• Tells something specific about the event?

• Captures the readers’ attention?

Headline Anatomy

Quote for a secondary

When the first notes of the fight song were punctuated by a crash of

thunder, the marching band retreated for cover under the stands. A

record 1.9 inches of rain fell in less than an hour. “ We use the 30-30 Rule

to insure the safety of the students and fans,” athletic director Kevin

Brewster said. “When the flash to thunder count approaches 30 seconds,

everyone is undercover.”

“At first, I enjoyed the light show,but when I realized that

the storm would probably cancel the game & the half-time ceremony,

I was depressed.” ~junior Jonah Martin

ReignDelay

Literary Devices

Clever word play enhances content

Alliteration

Antonym, synonym, homonym

Onomatopoeia

Rhyme

Pun

Homecoming fans experience

Wet, Wild Washout

Thunder, lightning cause Homecoming

BASHtoCRASH

Get a Reign CheckHomecoming ceremony washes out

Lightning stormdestroys HomecomingRealReignWreck

Literary DevicesAlliteration

Rhyme & Onomatopeia

Homonym

Pun

Editing Guidelines

Refine headlines for strong appeal• Keep headlines factual; no editorializing• Use fresh, active verbs• Eliminate unnecessary words• Use a comma instead of “and”• Don’t break “grammatical go-togethers”• Use single quote marks in headlines• Write headlines in present tense• Avoid school name, initials, mascot• Maintain style consistency

Write a headline for a spreadabout the dance team.

Dominant pic:The teamdressed as zombies for the Halloween football game.

Assignment:

This PowerPoint presentation was created by Balfour Yearbooks, Dallas, Texas, for educational purposes only. It is unlawful to remove or alter the Balfour logo without the permission of Balfour Yearbooks’ Marketing Department. For more information, contact Judi Coolidge, Education Specialist at judi.coolidge@balfour.com.