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, dont
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

The roaring lion

B. A lions tale
D. Cop requires stitches after lion attack
E. A dangerous lion
F. Lion bites policeman
A.

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

Exercise: #2

Discuss the basic facts

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
Apple causes teen to fall into coma
Scottish clans unite to defeat English
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)
Dont 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
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

Sample triple

headline
Boy wins new bike
Teen steals prize
Police recover bike

Headline writing ideas

Try to arouse the readers 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. Skys 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

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

Whats 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

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