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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 actionand contain a verb
Which of these samples are headlines and contain a verb?
A. The roaring lion B. A lion’s taleD. Cop requires stitches after lion attackE. A dangerous lionF. Lion bites policeman
Are these the headlines you wrote down?
• 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 a story surrounding “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
The Three Bears Discuss the basic facts
Write 2-3 possible headlines in your notebooks.
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 Pigs2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs3. The Hunger GamesOn your own, brainstorm ideas for the
Obit Profile!
Possible headlines for stories
Wolf boiled alive by three pigs
Apple causes teen to fall into coma
Tribute volunteers in place of sister
Taylor takes tumble on Tool Time
Basic rules of headline writing
When you write a headline remember:
• 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• Do not mislead the reader• Be consistent with the tone of the story
Headline writing style
Headlines do not end with a period
Most papers use “down style” Only the first word and
proper nouns are capitalized
Sample Headlines Emotions run high as
Dole retires from Senate Eight local schools keep
students indoors this summer
Farrakhan praises Cuban schools
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 feet. The trio clasped hands to form a ring while the Rev. Brown conducted the ceremony.
Enjoy some headline humor-Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge -Deer Kill 17,000 - 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