Transcript Headline Writing Do’s and Don’ts

Headline Writing
Do’s and Don’ts
Courtesy of Candy Birch
What is a Headline?
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A headline is a line of copy that serves
as a title for a story. It is written in
larger type above the story.
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A subhead is a miniheadline that gives
more information about the story’s
content.
Headline Do’s
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Read the article, especially the
opening paragraphs, to understand the
purpose and main idea.
Give the most general, overall
focus/summary of the story.
Remember that the headline may be
the only reason the reader decided to
read the story (Entry point.)
Headline Do’s
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Avoid headlines that can have more than
one interpretation.
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Limit the number of words – 6 to 10,
generally.
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Use strong, active verbs. (To be verbs are
generally understood, but not written out.)
Headline Do’s
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Use present tense verbs
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Express a complete thought.

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Headlines usually read like simple
sentences.
Use a secondary headline – or
subhead – to convey an additional
idea of a story.
Headline Do’s

Substitute a comma for the word “and”
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Capitalize only the first word and
proper nouns and adjectives. (The rule
can be waived if your newspaper’s
style is for up-style headlines.)
Write a headline that is grammatically
correct.
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Example Headlines
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New burger targeted for McLean times
Pianist keeps city’s singers in good
tune
Halloween scares up snow across
much of Kansas
Dr. Seuss, man of rhyme and reason,
dies at 87
Headline Don’ts
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Mislead the reader about the content
of the article. Avoid downplay,
exaggeration, sensationalism.
Use the name of the school unless it’s
absolutely necessary.
Use the verbs “participate” or
“experience”
Headline Don’ts
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Use labels or phrases for headlines.
Put a period at the end of a headline.
Use names, unless very well
recognized. Use grades or positions
instead.
Use abbreviations or slang.
Headline Don’ts
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Trivialize a serious story with the
inappropriate use of puns or other
word play
Separate words that belong together in
a phrase. (All words in infinitives and
prepositional phrases should be on
one line.)
Headlines that went wrong
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Doctor Testifies in Horse Suit
Men Recommend More Clubs for
Wives
Ike says Nixon Can’t State Pat
Collegians are Turning to Vegetables
Deaf Mute Gets New Hearing in Killing
Headlines that Went Wrong
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4-H Girls Win Prizes for Fat Calves
Farmer Bill Dies in House
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger
Test Group
Woman Improving After Fatal Crash
Include your Children When Baking
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