headline writing 101
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HEADLINE WRITING 101Andrew Chavez, Texas Center for Community Journalism
TYPES OF TYPE
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ATHLETICS
Football coach arrested after championship game brawlCharges pending in post-game scuffle that injured two
MORE DISPLAY TYPE
On the run
Suspect in fatal shooting escapes from jail
THE BASICS
Has a noun and a verb Present tense Active voice
Right: Council fires city manager Wrong: City manager fired by council
Usually write in sentence case
THERE’S MORE
Use attribution when necessary (except on opinion page) Mayor: Budget shortfall expected Budget shortfall expected, mayor says
Numerals are OK Use quotes if warranted
Report: Officer’s actions ‘inexcusable’ No the, a, or an
FITTING HEADLINES
Make sure lines are at least close to equal
Police chieffired, cause unknownXX
Police chief’s firing aXXXX mysteryXXX
BEGINNER’S METHOD
Don’t write on deadline if you don’t have to Read the story Think of keywords Seek out synonyms Take a break if you’re frustrated Make it a team effort
BEST PRACTICES
Grab attention Don‘t echo the lede Think how it will play on the page
Watch for duplicate phrases Beware of awkward situations
Consider the fold Don’t state the obvious
School Board to meet Friday Make sure it accurately represents the story
SPICE IT UP
Don’t hide the news Good: Smith ends campaign Hidden news: Smith’s campaign over
Try a possessive Without: Term of Smith not over, judge rules With: Smith’s term not over, judge rules
Personify – occasionally With: Last day of wintry weather ahead Without: Wintry weather to take a break
EXAMPLES
Virus prompts alteration in visitationsA gastrointenstinal illness could affect visitation at some local prison units this weekend, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.Visitation was cancelled last week at the Crain nit after 79 offenders were reported ill with the virus.
EXAMPLES
Stomach bug may affect prisoner visits
RANKING
Procedures to change for heavy trucksCounty road use will require 90-day permit, commissioners say
GOOD EXAMPLES FROM YOU
Making stronger tea togetherfor an opinion column on the tea party
GOOD EXAMPLES FROM ACES
Touch 'em allfor a story on a pair of 23-year-old friends who visited all 30 major league baseball stadiums in 50 days
GOOD EXAMPLES FROM ACES
Everybody plays, nobody winson a story about the All-Star game which ran out of players and ended in a tie.
GOOD EXAMPLES FROM ACES
Everybody plays, nobody winson a story about the All-Star game which ran out of players and ended in a tie.
GOOD EXAMPLES FROM ACES
This is, like, CNNCable News Network's latest investigativepiece: Find a younger, dumber, hipperviewership
GOOD EXAMPLES FROM ACES
Allergy season coming achoo!on a piece about the early onset of tree-pollen allergies
GOOD EXAMPLES FROM ACES
It’s Amman’s worldfor a story on Jordan cracking down on women’s rights
Q&A