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


Never Withhold Herpes Infection From Loved One


Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Indicates


Miners Refuse to Work After Death


Study Finds Sex, Pregnancy Link


Stolen Painting Found by Tree


Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years in Checkout Line


Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures


Red Tape Holding Up Bridges


Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half


Include Your Children When Baking Cookies


Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Experts Say


Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers


Iraqi Head Seeks Arms


Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?


Prostitutes Appeal to Pope


Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over


Teacher Strikes Idle Kids


Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant


War Dims Hope for Peace


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


Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide


Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Space


Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

headline writing ncsma summer workshop 2014 colin donohue, elon university

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