1. Effective headlines

2. Effective headlines
The best way to improve your own headline writing skills is to notice other peoples’ successes.
Think about what makes the following headlines work.

3. Effective headlines
This spread is about students who participate in sports outside of school.

4. Effective headlines
The graphic treatment on this headline mirrors the message of the headline. A secondary headline supplements it and makes the topic clear.

5. Effective headlines
Playing on the name “iPod” this headline, paired with the ear buds in the dominant, quickly reveals the story topic.

6. Effective headlines
This first-person story, about a student with sarcoidosis, benefits from a first-person headline and secondary headline.

7. Effective headlines
This headline uses word play well. Notice how all of the meanings of the phrase “Sticking to the point” make sense.

8. Effective headlines
This magazine-style headline, paired with a news- style secondary, provides both interest and information.

9. Effective headlines
A design can make a headline work. The bold, black line leads the reader to the girl’s eye, connecting the headline clearly to the dominant.

10. Effective headlines
This spread is about ELD students, most who spoke Spanish at home. The writer used Spanish throughout the article and for the headline, connecting the topic and writing style.

11. Effective headlines
Headlines and spreads should have a verbal-visual connection. This spread effectively connects the headline to the photos.

12. Effective headlines
Yearbook writers, editors and designers should be constantly searching for inspiration.
These spreads are just a sampling of the well-written headlines out there. Be on the lookout for headlines that are clever, well designed or otherwise catch your attention.
Collect these headlines to use as inspiration when you get stuck.