Rules for Headline Writing

1
Rules for Headline Writing

• Obey the split rules
• Put modifiers and words modified on the same line
• Dont split the verb parts
• Dont split prepositions from their objects
• (tip you can violate the rules between the
  second and third lines of a head)
• Dont end in prepositions

2

• Watch for awkward breaks and keep a dirty mind

3

• Dont repeat words
• Even in deck
• Related rule is dont repeat words, especially
  colorful verbs, on same page headlines
• Headline shouldnt repeat lead sentences verbatim
  or even echo its wording

4

• Use attribution and qualification appropriately
• Attribution can be implied President called
  liar
• In a tight headline, may comes in handy
• Can use colon to subsitute for said, etc.
  President We wont give up!
• Quotation marks not implied attribution

5

• Verb tense most headlines written in present
  tense, lends air of urgency. Also future tense,
  infinitive form.

6

• Capitalization
• Downstyle is most common, only first word is up
• Modified Upstyle Main words capitalized, still
  popular at some papers
• Upstyle All words up
• Watch abbreviations, no periods in acronyms
• Use AP style for state abbreviations,
• Use figures in headlines sted of words

7

• Punctuation problems
• No periods at end
• Comma can be used to replace the word and
• Semicolons rather than commas separate clauses
• Single quotes replace double, take up less space
• Dashes and colons can replace said Dash at end,
  colon at start
• Dashes also can be used for emphasis
• Colons can sometimes replace verbs
• Nascar racing most dangerous sport

8

• Remember the x factor (not the same at Simon
  Cowells TV show)