2. SHORT TITLES ABOVE NEWSPAPER REPORTS

3. Headline language can be very difficult to understand; it is a special style with special vocabulary and grammar.

4. Special vocabulary : Alert = alarm, warning “Flood alert on east coast” Appear = appear in court, accused of crime “MP to appear on drugs charge” Axe = Abolish, close down “Country bus services axed Back = support “ America backs British peace move” Bar= refuse/refusal to allow entry “Hotel bars football hooligans

5. Special vocabulary (2) Bid= attempt “Japanese women in new Everest bid” Block = attempt to stop Blow= unexpected setback Bolster=encourage Call= demand Chop= end. abolishment

6.  Special vocabulary (3) dash,, deadlock, drive,, drop, edge, face, firm, foil, gag, gaol (not “jail”),go-ahead, grip, hail, hike, hitch, jobless, landslide, lash, Lords, mar, mission, move, nail, odds, out to, pact, pay, plant, poll, press, pull out, quake,quiz, rampage rock, riddle, scare, slate, soar, storm, stun, threat, toll, urge, wed.

7. Abbreviations, common usage : PM, UK, US, VAT, UN, TORY, PC, LORDS, MP COMMONS.  Also : Currently well known names and ideas: e.g. Obama, Thatcher, Blair, Browne, security, Asange, Wikileaks etc (These names and ideas will disappear as headline shorthand as time passes)

8.  Headlines are not always complete sentences. Many headlines consist of noun phrases with no verb. MORE WAGE CUTS;HOLIDAY HOTEL DEATH; EXETER MANS DOUBLE MARRIAGE BID.

9. Headlines often contain strings of three, four or more nouns. FURNITURE FACTORY PAY CUT ROW

10.  Headlines often leave out articles and the verb be. SHAKESPEARE PLAY IMMORAL SAYS HEADMASTER ; SCHOOLBOY WALKS IN SPACE NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

11.  In headlines, simple tenses are often used instead of progressive or perfect forms. The simple present is used for both present and past events.  BLIND GIRL CLIMBS EVEREST (=. -.. has climbed...)  STUDENTS FIGHT FOR COURSE CHANGES (=... are fighting) NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

12.  The present progressive is used to talk about changes. Be is usually dropped. BRITAIN GETTING WARMER, SAY SCIENTISTS TRADE FIGURES IMPROVING

13.  Many headline words are used as both nouns and verbs, and nouns are often used to modify other nouns US CUTS AID TO THIRD WORLD (= The US reduces its help.. CUTS is a verb, AID is a noun)

14.  Headlines often use infinitives to refer to the future. PM TO VISIT AUSTRALIA HOSPITALS TO TAKE FEWER PATIENTS  For is also used to refer to future movements or plans TROOPS FOR GLASGOW? (= Are soldiers going to be sent to Glasgow?)

15.  Auxiliary verbs are usually dropped from passive structures. MURDER HUNT: MAN HELD (=... a man is being held by police.) SIX KILLED IN EXPLOSION (= Six people have been killed...)  Note that forms like HELD, ATTACKED are usually past participles with passive meanings Compare: AID ROW: PRESIDENT ATTACKED (=... the President has been attacked.) AID ROW: PRESIDENT ATTACKS CRITICS the President has attacked her critics.) BOY FOUND SAFE (= The missing boy has been found safe; he is safe.) BOY FINDS SAFE (= A boy has found a safe.)

16.  Note that forms like HELD, ATTACKED are usually past participles with passive meanings AID ROW: PRESIDENT ATTACKED (=... the President has been attacked.) AID ROW: PRESIDENT ATTACKS CRITICS (…the President has attacked her critics.) BOY FOUND SAFE (= The missing boy has been found safe; he is safe.) BOY FINDS SAFE (= A boy has found a safe.)

17.  As and in are often used instead of longer connecting expressions. HOSPITAL BOSS AXED AS PATIENTS DIE (... because patients die.) FOOTBALL MANAGER IN CAR CRASH

18.  A colon (:) is often used to separate the subject of a headline from what is said about it. STRIKES: PM TO ACT MOTORWAY CRASH: DEATH TOLL RISES