1. Writing headlines Not titles
There is a difference between headlines and titles. This slide show will explain those differences. You will be asked to write several things down during the slide show. You will those exercises to the teacher once you finish. You may want to type them directly onto an , or in a file, so you don’t have to re-write them later.

2. Basic rules of headline writing
Never write a headline without reading the entire story first.
If the story has a surprise ending, don’t give it away in the headline.
A headline writer must understand the whole story, before capturing the key elements in the headline. Reporters aren’t necessarily the ones assigned to do this. Other members of the staff sometimes have this task.

3. Basic rules of writing headlines
Draw headline information from near the top of the story.
Build the headline around key words, those that must be included.
Build on words in the story, paraphrasing but not parroting.
Do you understand what paraphrasing is? It is when you tell the same information, but in totally different words.

4. Headlines show action and contain a verb
Which of these samples are headlines and contain a verb? Type your answer to #1
The roaring lion
A lion’s tale
D. Cop requires stitches after lion attack
E. A dangerous lion
F. Lion bites policeman
Which of the samples contain action verbs, and are complete thoughts? This is question/exercise #1
1. Write down the verbs.

5. Are these the headlines you wrote down?
Officer hits lion. (Hit is a verb and this is a complete thought.)
Cop requires stitches after lion attach. (Requires is a verb)
Lion bites policeman. (bites is a verb)
Wrong: The roaring lion: Roaring is used as an adjective, not a verb, and this is not a complete thought.

6. Write a headline for “3 bears” news story
The Three Bears
Discuss the basic facts
Exercise: #2
Write 2-3 possible headlines on your assignment page.
Remember the story of The Three Bears. Who were the characters? What happened? What was the climax of the story?
Exercise #2 Write 2-3 possible headlines for that story, if it were to be written as a news story.
Show facts on Elmo or overhead

7. Possible Headlines Bears’ house vandalized
Parents cited for neglect Child damages home
Charges filed against girl for breaking and entering
Other ?
Here are some possible headlines that would work. Make sure your suggestions have a strong action verb included, and contain a complete thought.

8. Change these titles to headlines
Titles usually do not have a verb. Change these titles to headlines.
1. The Three Little Pigs
2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
3. Indiana Jones
4. Tool Time
Here are the titles of some stories and movies you may know. Based upon what you know happened in the story, change these to headlines. This is exercise #3.

9. Possible headlines for stories
Wolf boiled alive by three pigs
Apple causes teen to fall into coma
Scottish clans unite to defeat English
Taylor takes tumble on Tool Time
Do your headlines you wrote contain verbs, and complete thoughts? You can’t use your teacher’s ideas. Write your own.

10. Basic rules of headline writing
When you write a headline remember:
Include a subject and a verb
Use present tense of verb
Eliminate articles (the, an, a)
Don’t use “is” or “are”
Use comma to indicate “and” or a semicolon
More things to remember

11. Practice writing headlines
Here is a short story. Write a headline for it.
CAMP DOHA,
Kuwait -- The battle for Baghdad began Tuesday night as U.S. ground forces entered the "Red Zone."
U.S. Army and Marine ground forces advanced on separate axes into the swath of territory around Baghdad that is defended by the Republican Guard and has been characterized by U.S. commanders as the most strategically vital and treacherous of the war.
Although still 50 miles or more from the capital, the attack brought the U.S. military one step closer to its ultimate objective: the capture of Baghdad and the toppling of the government of President Saddam Hussein.
Exercise #4: Write one or two headlines for this story.

12. Headline writing style
Headlines do not end with a period
Most papers use “down style”
Only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized
Most important stories and headlines are at the top of the page.
Sample Headlines
Emotions run high as Dole retires from Senate
Eight local schools keep students indoors this summer
Farrakhan praises Cuban schools
Which of these three stories is probably the most important and at the top of the page.
Question #5.
Dole story--
Farrakhan and school story in middle of The Universe

13. Headline style Do not center headlines
Start headline flush left on column
Double or triple headlines should be close to the same length
Sample triple headline
Boy wins new bike
Teen steals prize
Police recover bike
Do you understand that a triple headline is? It is a series of 3 headlines, all related to the same story. Exercise #6: Write a triple headline for the Three Bears story.

14. Headline writing ideas
Try to arouse the reader’s interest
Try to be consistent with the tone of the story
Avoid awkward phrasing that is difficult to read
Do not mislead reader

15. Write three possible headlines for this story.
Brad Jones and Kim Smith always said the sky was the limit as far as their love was concerned. Last week they proved it by getting married--in midair.
Jones and Smith and a daring pastor, the Rev. Charles Brown, strapped on parachutes Saturday morning and jumped out of a plane at 10,000 fee. The trio clasped hands to form a ring while the Rev. Brown conducted the ceremony.
Exercise #7. Write three different headlines for this story.

16. Practice writing headlines
Possible headlines from teacher
1. Sky’s no limit for midair wedding
2. Put on your parachute
if you want to keep up with the Joneses
3.Free fall marriage performed
4. Wedding in the blue
Couple says ‘I do’
There are dozens of creative ways to write a headline.

17. Rules of headline writing
Use acronyms sparingly--avoid alphabet soup
Avoid using nouns that can be read a verbs, or vice versa
Avoid double entendres that could be misleading
Avoid awkward phrasing that is difficult to read
Make sure headline is accurate and balanced
Problem headlines
PTA charges FBLA and FFA with theft
Police slay suspect bound over for trail
Relatives served at family dinner
Man with two broken legs saves one from drowning
Oklahoman hit by auto riding on motorcycle
What are acronyms? Samples: BIA, NBC, PTA, UDOT, IRS, etc.

18. What’s wrong with these headlines?
Wife charges husband killed her for money
Man who shot himself accidentally dies
Boy chasing fox found rabid
Andalusia girl improved after drinking poison
Exercise #8: Explain what the problem is with each of these headlines.

19. Enjoy some headline humor
-Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge
-Deer Kill 17,000
--Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
- Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
- New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
- Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
--Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
- Arson Suspect is Held in Massachusetts Fire
- British Union Finds Dwarfs in Short Supply
Here are some humorous headlines, which were probably unintentional.
When you finish, your responses to each of the 8 tasks in this slide show.