HeadlinesHeadlines

Headlines serve four functions on a Headlines serve four functions on a newspaper page:newspaper page:

They summarize story contents.They summarize story contents.They prioritize stories, since bigger stories They prioritize stories, since bigger stories get bigger headlines.get bigger headlines.They entice readers into the text.They entice readers into the text.They anchor story designs to help organize They anchor story designs to help organize the page.the page.

RulesRules1.1. Keep them conversational. Write the way Keep them conversational. Write the way

people speak. Avoid pretentious jargon, odd people speak. Avoid pretentious jargon, odd verbs, or omitted words. Headlines should verbs, or omitted words. Headlines should not read like a telegram.not read like a telegram.

2.2. Write in the present tense active voice. Write in the present tense active voice. Like Like thisthis: President vetoes tax bill. : President vetoes tax bill. NotNot: President : President vetoed tax bill or Tax bill vetoed by vetoed tax bill or Tax bill vetoed by president.president.

3.3. Except for abbreviations, headlines contain Except for abbreviations, headlines contain no periods.no periods.

4.4. Only abbreviations that are readily Only abbreviations that are readily understood appear in headlines.understood appear in headlines.

5.5. As a rule, headlines are set “flush left.” that As a rule, headlines are set “flush left.” that is, the first letter in each line is set at the left is, the first letter in each line is set at the left margin of the column. (Headlines in a box margin of the column. (Headlines in a box may be centered.)may be centered.)

RulesRules

Example:Example:

Cougars win;Cougars win;

survive rallysurvive rally

by Bengalsby Bengals

RulesRules

6.6. Each line of a headline must stand alone. Each line of a headline must stand alone. (Avoid bad splits.)(Avoid bad splits.)

A line may not end with a modifier (an adjective A line may not end with a modifier (an adjective or an adverb).or an adverb).

Faulty!:Faulty!: Former MHSFormer MHS Better!:Better!: Veteran teacherVeteran teacher

teacher hereteacher here joins CHS staffjoins CHS staff

[Rule 6 continued][Rule 6 continued]

A verb form may not be divided between lines.A verb form may not be divided between lines.

Faulty!:Faulty!: Principal toPrincipal to Better!:Better!: Principal eyesPrincipal eyes

climb peakclimb peak Matterhorn Matterhorn

A word at the end of a line may not be hyphenated.A word at the end of a line may not be hyphenated.

Faulty!:Faulty!: Band con-Band con- Better!:Better!: Band to giveBand to give

cert Fridaycert Friday concert concert FridayFriday

[Rule 6 continued][Rule 6 continued]

A line should not end with a conjunction.A line should not end with a conjunction.

Faulty:Faulty: Terriers andTerriers and Better:Better: Terriers, ColtsTerriers, Colts

Colts tangle tangle for leadColts tangle tangle for lead

for top spotfor top spot

RulesRules7.7. A comma may replace the conjunction A comma may replace the conjunction and.and.

Johnson, Burdick starJohnson, Burdick star

8.8. A semicolon may be used to indicate separate ideas.A semicolon may be used to indicate separate ideas.

Honor Society Awards trophy; praises RomneyHonor Society Awards trophy; praises Romney

9.9. A colon may be used to replace the verb A colon may be used to replace the verb says. says.

Governor Mosely: ‘No new taxes!’Governor Mosely: ‘No new taxes!’

10.10. A headline containing a A headline containing a quotation uses singlequotation uses single quotation marks.quotation marks.

Coach Myer: ‘Tournament postponed because of flu’Coach Myer: ‘Tournament postponed because of flu’

RulesRules11.11. Vague, confusing expressions make poor headlines.Vague, confusing expressions make poor headlines.

Faulty:Faulty: Council setsCouncil sets Better:Better: Five JuniorsFive Juniors deadlines- -so beat deadlinedeadlines- -so beat deadline

avoid the rush for class raceavoid the rush for class race

12.12. Personal feelings have no place in a headline. However, Personal feelings have no place in a headline. However,with a review of a play, a book, or a musical event, thewith a review of a play, a book, or a musical event, theheadline writer may summarize personal feelings, providedheadline writer may summarize personal feelings, providedthat the assessment is fair. that the assessment is fair.

Juniors’ ‘Our Town’ inspirationalJuniors’ ‘Our Town’ inspirational

RulesRules

13.13. Avoid butting headlines.Avoid butting headlines.

Police finally catch Sterling scholarsPolice finally catch Sterling scholars

bank robberbank robber named today named today

RulesRules 15. The last line of a headline must go at least 15. The last line of a headline must go at least

half way across the space. half way across the space.

Senior football playerSenior football playermakes the big leaguemakes the big league

NOT: Senior football player makes the bigNOT: Senior football player makes the big leagueleague

Rule just for RHSRule just for RHS

14. Most, but not all, newspapers today 14. Most, but not all, newspapers today use standard capitalization. Capitalize use standard capitalization. Capitalize only the first word and proper nouns.only the first word and proper nouns.

Cheerleader falls from Cheerleader falls from top of pyramidtop of pyramid

NOT:NOT: Cheerleader Falls Cheerleader Falls From Top of PyramidFrom Top of Pyramid

BAD HEADLINES:BAD HEADLINES:

Job seekers may find workJob seekers may find work Teens murder victimsTeens murder victims Gas hike not a likely suspect for summer travelGas hike not a likely suspect for summer travel Hurricane Danny brings wind, rainHurricane Danny brings wind, rain Monday earliest judge will rule on caseMonday earliest judge will rule on case Group helps suicide victimsGroup helps suicide victims Forklift driver donates thousandsForklift driver donates thousands Covey apologizes for appearance at anti-gay fund raiserCovey apologizes for appearance at anti-gay fund raiser Police begin campaign to run down jay walkerPolice begin campaign to run down jay walker

BAD HEADLINES:BAD HEADLINES:

Miners refuse to work after deathMiners refuse to work after death Stolen painting found by treeStolen painting found by tree If strike isn’t settled quickly it may last awhileIf strike isn’t settled quickly it may last awhile Typhoon rips through cemetery, 100s deadTyphoon rips through cemetery, 100s dead Obesity study looks for larger test groupObesity study looks for larger test group

GOOD HEADLINES:GOOD HEADLINES:

Oh, deer! Animal herds are going out on the townOh, deer! Animal herds are going out on the town Olympic Village? Try Media TownOlympic Village? Try Media Town Wanted man gives Springville 2 hours of unwanted Wanted man gives Springville 2 hours of unwanted

excitementexcitement It’s a small world – and a big, big mergerIt’s a small world – and a big, big merger Money can’t buy Beatles love, but it puts them on Money can’t buy Beatles love, but it puts them on

Forbes listForbes list Cast’s great, but something’s rotten in ‘I Hate Cast’s great, but something’s rotten in ‘I Hate

Hamlet’Hamlet’

GOOD HEADLINES:GOOD HEADLINES:

Are U.S. kids the young and the ruthless?Are U.S. kids the young and the ruthless? Man from Mars actually came out of nowhereMan from Mars actually came out of nowhere Novell hits ‘escape’ on WordPerfectNovell hits ‘escape’ on WordPerfect The puck drops here – Utah 4, Peoria 2The puck drops here – Utah 4, Peoria 2 Fire in the sky signals danger on the groundFire in the sky signals danger on the ground Pilot was no stranger to the danger in the skyPilot was no stranger to the danger in the sky Science is on the eve of finding AdamScience is on the eve of finding Adam Saturn owners are in orbit over their carsSaturn owners are in orbit over their cars

GOOD HEADLINES:GOOD HEADLINES:

Mom-and-pop firms are crying ‘uncle’!Mom-and-pop firms are crying ‘uncle’! Small shops feel shackled by chainsSmall shops feel shackled by chains Russians riveted on Levi StraussRussians riveted on Levi Strauss There’s still a sizable opening for a new hospital-There’s still a sizable opening for a new hospital-

gown designgown design Cats and dogs? In Florida it’s raining gatorsCats and dogs? In Florida it’s raining gators A bad habit? Nun caught shopliftingA bad habit? Nun caught shoplifting Want to scrap superstition? This could be your Want to scrap superstition? This could be your

lucky daylucky day

GOOD HEADLINES:GOOD HEADLINES:

Rattler hiss-teria sends California family packingRattler hiss-teria sends California family packing Senate highway bill may put states in the driver’s Senate highway bill may put states in the driver’s

seatseat Ordinance on pool appears to be sunkOrdinance on pool appears to be sunk Bountiful works out kinks in new massage Bountiful works out kinks in new massage

ordinanceordinance Slip of the lip puts zip into otherwise somber U.N. Slip of the lip puts zip into otherwise somber U.N.

meetingmeeting Newt’s unusually brief when asked about boxersNewt’s unusually brief when asked about boxers GOP may reign – but for Waldholtz, it showersGOP may reign – but for Waldholtz, it showers

Use five to ten words to write a “bright” Use five to ten words to write a “bright” headline for the following story.headline for the following story.

Brad Jones and Kim Smith always said the sky was the Brad Jones and Kim Smith always said the sky was the limit as far as their love was concerned. Last week they proved it limit as far as their love was concerned. Last week they proved it by getting married – in midair.by getting married – in midair.

Brad and Kim and a daring young pastor, the Rev. Charles Brad and Kim and a daring young pastor, the Rev. Charles Brown, strapped on parachutes Saturday morning and jumped out Brown, strapped on parachutes Saturday morning and jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet. The trio clasped hands to form a ring of a plane at 10,000 feet. The trio clasped hands to form a ring while Rev. Brown conducted the ceremony.while Rev. Brown conducted the ceremony.

After the bride and groom each said, “I do,” the skydivers After the bride and groom each said, “I do,” the skydivers opened their parachutes and floated safely to the ground. Friends opened their parachutes and floated safely to the ground. Friends and family were waiting below to help the couple celebrate – and and family were waiting below to help the couple celebrate – and to witness the exchanging of wedding rings.to witness the exchanging of wedding rings.

““Of course we didn’t try to exchange rings while we were Of course we didn’t try to exchange rings while we were falling through the sky!” Kim said. “We may be crazy, but we’re falling through the sky!” Kim said. “We may be crazy, but we’re not stupid.”not stupid.”

Skydiving couple takes the plungeSkydiving couple takes the plunge Bride and groom walk on airBride and groom walk on air Pair jumps out of plane and into marriagePair jumps out of plane and into marriage Couple takes flying leap into wedlockCouple takes flying leap into wedlock Sweethearts fall for each other – out of planeSweethearts fall for each other – out of plane Skydivers’ wedding falls into placeSkydivers’ wedding falls into place Bride and groom take 10,000-foot leap of Bride and groom take 10,000-foot leap of

faithfaith Bridal couple jumps for joyBridal couple jumps for joy Couple’s marriage is made in the heavensCouple’s marriage is made in the heavens