1. How to write Headlines Material property of the AR Dept. of Education. It may be used for non-profit, educational use only after contacting the ADE DLC at http://dlc.k12.ar.us ERhttp://dlc.k12.ar.us

2. We’ve all written headlines before… “Hey! I can see it now!” you’ve said to your brother. “ ‘Boy drops dead from too much chocolate’. If you don’t quit eating all those Hershey bars, it’s going to be you.”

3. Actually, it’s not difficult to write a headline. There’s just a few rules. Use downstyle. This means only the first word of the headline and any proper nouns are capitalized. Principal presents award to Coach Smith

4. Headlines go against the left border. Most newspapers use headlines that are flush left. This means the headline sits squarely against the left side of the column, leaving the lines to run ragged on the right. Junior runs over teacher with car

5. Our headlines use sans serif type. Because our newspaper is published on the Web, it’s easier for our readers to read a sans serif type, such as Arial. “Sans serif” means without serifs, or the little feet that extend from each letter. Serif – Like this Sans serif – Like this

6. Headlines are written in point size. This is 18 point. This is 24 point. This is 30 point. This is 36 point. This is 42 point. This is 48 point. This is 60 point.

7. Headlines are written in present tense. By writing a headline in present tense, it makes the story appear as if it just happened. Miller wins $10 million prize Not like this: Miller won $10 million prize

8. Headlines need a subject and a verb. Think of a headline as a sentence, but without many of the words. A headline such as Homecoming is just a label, it’s not a headline. Instead, write: Homecoming win leads to celebration (subject) (verb)(object)

9. Keep a prepositional phrase together in a headline. Instead of: Dog bites alien on tender spot Write: Dog bites alien on tender spot (“on” is a preposition)

10. Headlines don’t have hyphens. Make sure when you write out the headline, the computer doesn’t hyphenate any words. If it does, move the words around. Smith discovers dino- saur remains in wall Smith discovers dinosaur remains

11. A headline doesn’t need a period at the end. Headlines are not sentences. However, you may use other forms of punctuation in headlines when needed: Did you ever think it would happen? Fort Smith merges two high schools

12. You don’t need the name of the school or the school initials in a headline. The readers already know the name of your school. Instead, use the headline to tell what happened. Not so good: JHS students picket cafeteria Better: 95% of students picket during lunch

13. Don’t use a, an or the except in special headlines. Good: Governor awards teacher with honor Bad: The governor awards teacher with an honor It’s okay to use articles (a, an or the) in a headline such as a hammer or a wicket: The ultimate put-down Seniors name skip day for principal

14. Only use your opinion in a headline for an editorial. News headlines shouldn’t contain any words that let the reader know what you think of the story. Don’t: We’re better than Fort Smith! Better: Team blows away Fort Smith, 42-0

15. In headlines, use single quote marks. Don’t: “Angel Baby” really a detective Do: ‘Angel Baby’ really a detective

16. A headline should fill at least ¾ of the white space it occupies. If a headline is too short for the space, it looks strange. Don’t: Boy wins meet Do: Taylor nabs tournament title

17. Headlines must cover the entire story. Don’t design a page with a headline over part of the story. A headline is like a roof of a house: It must cover the whole text. Tornado! School closed for remainder of this year

18. Use a comma in place of ‘and.’ To save space, use a comma instead of the word ‘and.’ Don’t: Band and choir win awards Do: Band, choir win awards

19. Use a semicolon to separate complete thoughts Don’t: Legislature in session. Future of roads in doubt Do: Legislature in session; future of roads in doubt

20. Use active verbs; omit forms of the verb to be Don’t: Smoking is common, survey shows Do: Survey reveals smoking is common