headline writing ncsma summer workshop 2014 colin donohue, elon university

Headline writing

NCSMA SUMMER WORKSHOP 2014Colin Donohue, Elon University

Four Functions

1. It gets attention. 2. It summarizes or tells about a news

item. 3. It helps organize/explain the news. 4. It indicates the relative importance of

news.

Headline Writing Tips

Read the story all the way through before writing the headline.

What’s the main point of the story. Distill it.

Be specific. Cram information. Use short words. Use active voice. Use strong, active verbs. Make it engaging.

Techniques to Avoid

Do not lift a phrase verbatim from the lede. Avoid repetition of thoughts or words. Don’t belabor the obvious. (Grand jury

indicts Jones; Minister professes belief in God)

Avoid writing headlines with a verb, but no subject.

Avoid using forms of “to be” and “to have” (GOOD: Earthquake rocks Southern California; BAD: Southern California has earthquake)

Avoid cliches and puns.

Good Headlines

OUTRAGE: Thousands dead, a nation staggered as terrorists strike New York, Washington

Good Headlines

Gates puts money where his mouse is

Good Headlines

McScam: 8 busted in prize fraud

Good Headlines

When dialing # turns into @!$&!

Good Headlines

Bashful moon to blush as earth passes by

Good Headlines

Bra, humbug: Let’s get loose

Good Headlines

Paradise lofts: Space can be found above ground

Good Headlines

Let's hear it for sushi - raw, raw, raw.

Good Headlines

Fear of frying: Be sure your SPF is right

Unfortunate Headlines

Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case

Unfortunate Headlines

Never Withhold Herpes Infection From Loved One

Unfortunate Headlines

Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Indicates

Unfortunate Headlines

Miners Refuse to Work After Death

Unfortunate Headlines

Study Finds Sex, Pregnancy Link

Unfortunate Headlines

Stolen Painting Found by Tree

Unfortunate Headlines

Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years in Checkout Line

Unfortunate Headlines

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Unfortunate Headlines

Red Tape Holding Up Bridges

Unfortunate Headlines

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

Unfortunate Headlines

Include Your Children When Baking Cookies

Unfortunate Headlines

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Experts Say

Unfortunate Headlines

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Unfortunate Headlines

Iraqi Head Seeks Arms

Unfortunate Headlines

Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?

Unfortunate Headlines

Prostitutes Appeal to Pope

Unfortunate Headlines

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

Unfortunate Headlines

Teacher Strikes Idle Kids

Unfortunate Headlines

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

Unfortunate Headlines

War Dims Hope for Peace

Unfortunate Headlines

If Strike Isn’t Settled Quickly, It May Last a While

Unfortunate Headlines

Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide

Unfortunate Headlines

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Space

Unfortunate Headlines

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks