Write three different headlines that you could use

Write three different headlines that you could use to describe the day you’ve had today

Headlines

Headlines

Headlines

Headlines

Headlines

Headlines

Type of Headlines 1 -line-headline Bricklayers engage in mortar combat

Type of Headlines 2 -line-headline Backers hot for chili as U. S. official food

Type of Headlines 3 -line-headline Mosquitos biting into holiday fun

Type of Headlines Hammer - main/secondary head Standing tall 5’-4” guard rises to challenge of leading Tigers

Type of Headlines Tripod - main/secondary headlin Driven to destruction Police play game of cat and mouse with illegal racers

Type of Headlines Kicker - main/secondary headline Nolan Ryan makes smooth transition to job helping oversee state’s parks, wildlife areas Whole new ballgame

Headlines A well-written story will go unread if the headline does not grab the reader. Headlines also serve as a graphic element on the page.

Headlines • Headlines generally consist of a primary headline and a secondary headline (or subhead) • The primary headline should relate to the dominant photo and capture the attention • The secondary headline adds information found in the story itself ***BE CAREFUL*** The main headline should not be dependent on the secondary headline

Writing your own Headlines • AIDA – ATTENTION • You need to get your reader’s attention – INTEREST • You must develop the reader’s interest – DESIRE • You must build the reader’s desire – ACTION • You need to prompt your reader to action

Writing your own Headlines • Use the active voice: Effective headlines usually involve logical sentence structure, active voice and strong present-tense verbs. • Do not include “headlinese. ” As with any good writing, good headlines are driven by good verbs. • Subject and Verb: Headlines should always have a subject and verb – Some exceptions apply for main headlines

Writing your own Headlines • Literary Techniques: Use alliteration, allusion and rhyme if appropriate

Writing your own Headlines • Number, please: Numbers often go against AP style in headlines. For example, you may start a sentence with a number and, even though that number is below 10, you do not have to spell it out. – Example: 3 die in crash However, whenever possible, follow AP style

Writing your own Headlines • To the left: Write all headlines flush left unless told otherwise. – Do not split prepositional phrases, or thoughts, from one line to the next • This includes hyphens…no hyphens from one line to the next

Writing your own Headlines • Present tense, please: Use present tense for immediate past information, past tense for past perfect, and future tense for coming events. – Generally speaking, avoid past tense…present and future are preferred

Writing your own Headlines • Punctuation normal -- mostly: Headline punctuation is normal with two significant exceptions: Use periods for abbreviations only, and use single quotes where you would use double quotes in copy. – Example (single quotes): Lincoln: ‘The war has begun’ • Moreover, note the use of the colon (substituting for the word said”). The colon can be used, sparingly, for introducing both a direct quote and a paraphrase.

Writing your own Headlines • “And” more punctuation: The comma, in addition to its normal use, can take on the work of the word “and. ” On rare occasions, the comma also can indicate the word “but” (but, if used that way, be very, very careful, ensuring that the reader has a clear understanding that’s what the comma means. The semi-colon is better for the “but. ” Even better is to use the word “but. ”)

Writing your own Headlines • "And" more on the comma: While a comma can be used in the place of the word “and, ” you should be careful and avoid the practice when possible ? and especially in the nominative portion of the headline. Don’t overuse.

Writing your own Headlines • Abbreviations: Many abbreviations that are not acceptable in stories are acceptable in headlines. But be careful. If you have any doubts, ask. • Avoid all acronyms or abbreviations that are not immediately recognizable by the reader. For example, “NFL” would be OK; “LCC” for Lawrence City Commission would not be. When in doubt, spell it out.

Writing your own Headlines • No “a” or “and” or “the”? Avoid the use of the articles a, an and the unless they are needed for clarity. (Otherwise, their use generally is considered padding. )

Writing your own Headlines • Don’t be cute, unless cute is called for: Don't yield to the temptation to write cute headlines or to use faddish or commercial slogans unless doing so fits especially well with the content and tone of the story.

Writing your own Headlines • Avoid the school name: Don't use the name of the school or mascot in a school publication • Avoid stating the obvious: Tell the reader something new • Don’t repeat words: Headlines are short…don’t repeat the same word in a headline or subheadline

Writing your own Headlines • Watch out for ambiguity and the double entendre: Be especially careful to read for hidden meanings – Example Textron Inc. Makes Offer To Screw Co. Stockholders

Some poor headlines • Sisters reunited after 18 years in checkout line at supermarket • Clinic gives poor free legal help • Trial ends in mercy killing • Include your children when baking cookies • Clinton wins budget; more lies ahead • Stolen painting found by tree • Astronaut takes blame for gas in space

Some poor headlines • • Woman improving after fatal crash Man found dead in cemetery Gas cloud clears out Taco Bell Kids make nutritious snacks Local high school dropouts cut in half Deaf college opens doors to hearing Lawyer says client is not that guilty New study of obesity looks for larger test group

Presentation by Dianne Smith, MJE

Something went wrong In jet crash, expert says

Police begin campaign to run down jaywalkers

Safety experts say school bus passengers should be belted

Drunk gets 9 months in violin case

Survivor of Siamese twins joins parents

Farmer Bill Dies in House

Iraqi head seeks arms

Stud tires out

Is there a ring of debris around Uranus?

Prostitutes appeal to Pope

Panda mating fails; veterinarian takes over

British left waffles on Falkland Islands

Lung cancer in women mushrooms

Eye drops off shelf

Teacher strikes idle kids

Reagan wins on budget; more lies ahead

Squad helps dog bite victim

Shot off woman’s leg helps Nicklaus to 66

Enraged cow injures farmer with ax

Plane too close to ground, crash probe told

Miners refuse to work after death

Juvenile court to try shooting defendant

Stolen painting found by tree

Two Soviet ships collide; one dies

Two sisters reunited after 18 years in checkout counter

Killer sentenced to die for second time in 10 years

Never withhold herpes infection from loved one

Drunken drivers paid $1000 in ‘ 84

War dims hopes for peace

If strike isn’t settled quickly, it may last a while

Cold wave linked to temperatures

Enfields couple slain; police suspect homicide

Red tape holds up new bridge

Typhoon rips through cemetery; hundreds dead

Man struck by lightning faces battery charge

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

Lansing residents can drop off trees

Local high school dropouts cut in half

New vaccine may contain rabies

Man minus ear waives hearing

Deaf college opens doors to hearing

Air head fired

Food is basic to student diet

Man steals clock; faces time

Hospitals are sued by 7 foot doctors