7.3 | Headlines

Head’s Up It only makes sense that the largest type on the spread captures and keeps your readers’ interest with well-written and creatively designed headlines. Writing good headlines takes some thought and a lot of practice! However, headlines are what draw the reader to your page—so make them count!

Verbal-Visual Connection Well-written headlines: ~Serve as an informational content entry point ~Capture and keep readers on the page with clever word play & specific details ~Reflect the dominant photo coverage ~Unify the visual elements on the page Well-designed headlines: ~Have a strong visual package of headline parts ~Effectively and creatively use of typography

Parts of a Headline Primary Headline: Captures readers’ attention with a hint of the story content Secondary Headline: Provides keen information and insights that dates coverage for that year

An Example primary headline secondary headline

STEP 1 – LEARN & PRACTICE Watch the 1, 2, 3 Headlines video on Yearbook Avenue Digital Classroom>Videos>Journalism> 1, 2, 3 Headlines Look at the following headline examples from yearbooks and magazines and determine the headline strategy used. Notice the sub-headlines used to explain the headline in each example.

Effective Headlines Identify spread content Attract the readers’ attention Reflect the mood of the spread Tie into the action of the dominant photo

Creative Headlines Result from word play Use literary techniques such as alliteration, pun, antonym, synonym, homonym, onomatopoeia, rhyme Coordinate with the content of the dominant photo

HEADLINE STYLES Hammer Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is below primary headline Kicker Tripod Wicket

HEADLINE STYLES Hammer Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is below primary headline Kicker Descriptive single-line secondary headline is above primary headlin e Tripod Wicket

HEADLINE STYLES Hammer Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is below primary headline Kicker Descriptive single-line secondary headline is above primary headlin e Tripod Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is next to primary headline Wicket

HEADLINE STYLES Hammer Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is below primary headline Kicker Descriptive single-line secondary headline is above primary headlin e Tripod Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is next to primary headline Wicket Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is above primary headline

Headline Strategy: Hammer Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is below primary headline Mountain Vista High School [CO]

Headline Strategy: Kicker Descriptive single-line secondary headline is above primary headline North Hall High School [GA]

Headline Strategy: Tripod Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is next to primary headline Bryant High School [AR]

Headline Strategy: Wicket Descriptive multi-line secondary headline is above primary headline Komachin Middle School [WA]

HEADLINE STRATEGIES Play on words Cliché Verbal/visual connection Use literary techniques such as alliteration, pun, antonym, synonym, homonym, onomatopoeia, rhyme

Headline Strategy: pun

Headline Strategy: cliché

Headline Strategy: cliché, verbal/visual connection

Headline Strategy: alliteration

Headline Strategy: pun Headline Strategy: rhyming Glenbrook South High School [IL]

Headline Strategy: pun Edmond Santa Fe High School [OK]

Headline Strategy: play on words Kirkwood High School [MO]

HEADLINE Writing Process List key words for a spread Focus on content angle and significance Example: Spirit Week: hurricane excitement cancellation wild spirit

HEADLINE Writing Process Brainstorm key word rhyming words: week, cheek, peak, weak List phrases that use those rhyming words pinch your cheek peak of action a weak moment Transition those words into a clever headline

HEADLINE Writing Process Example: Look at the pictures on the class webpage. You will use the writing process to create headlines. Step 1: List words that have something to do with summer EXAMPLES: Hot, Fun, Travel, Family, Sweat, Thrills, Love, Curfew, Work, Tan, Swim, Lazy Step 2: Brainstorm rhyming/literary words EXAMPLES: Hot—not, knot, shot, trot, yacht Fun—run, sun Love—dove, shove, above, glove Step 3: List phrases that have rhyming words and key transition words EXAMPLES: Fan the flames Love in the 100 degrees Summer’s bummers

STEP 2 - USE Use Start Right Handout Heads Up Headline Writing to craft headlines using the dominant photo or practice using one of the following photos. You may look online for word combinations or use a thesaurus to look for alternate meanings.

Using the Head’s Up worksheet, brainstorm a headline that would work on a spread on which this is the dominant photo. Mackenzie Phillips, Texas High School [TX]

Optional: continue practicing using the Head’s Up worksheet to brainstorm a headline that would work on a spread on which this is the dominant photo. Owen Barrett, Sonoma Valley High School [CA]

Optional: continue practicing using the Head’s Up worksheet to brainstorm a headline that would work on a spread on which this is the dominant photo. Kyle Burnett, Franklin High School [TX]

HEADLINE Tips Revise/refine headlines for strong appeal -Keep headlines factual; no opinions -Use visual nouns and action verbs -Avoid repetition of words -Use a comma instead of “and” -Use single quote marks in headlines -Write headlines in present tense -Avoid school name, initials, mascot -Maintain style consistency with the rest of the book