Language and Headlines.pptx

Language and headlines
What are Headlines
A headline is defined as the heading of a news story or article.
It is generally placed on the top of the story, printed in large type and gives the news succinctly in an attention-grabbing manner.
The high-visibility characteristic of headlines lets them influence the look and appeal of the newspaper as well as its identification from a distance.
The presentation of a news story is dependent not only on writing its headline but also on its font, font size and the position on the page.
Purpose of Headlines
Is the soul of a news item
Tells the readers what the story is about.
Goal is to grab readers’ attention in five to ten words
focuses on the most important aspect of a story
Highlights the crux of the news content.
Helps the reader decide whether the news story is of interest to him or not
Points to remember
Accuracy: The words used in the headline must accurately represent the story. A headline giving inaccurate information will harm your as well as the organization's credibility. For example, “hundreds feared dead in a train accident”. “short circuit causes fire at hotel”.
Logical: Sometimes, to sensationalize the story headlines, editors give obscure headline.
EX: 1. Hema Malini Car Accident: Child Killed, MP Has Minor Injuries
2. With Earphones on, Tamilnadu tourist didn’t hear dad’s warning to duck as stones rained
Points to remember
Specific: Sometimes, writers do not have a clear idea about what a headline should say about an incident.
Points to remember

Concise: Headline should be concise because it goes in a larger font size, therefore writers have limited space. A good headline should not be more than 7-8 words and it must come in a single line.
For example, “Girl killed by her lover”. This headline is not concise and the word by her is unwanted here. It should be ‘Lover kills girl’ using active verb.
Linguistic devices used in headlines

Linguistic devices used in headlines

Linguistic devices used in headlines

Linguistic devices used in headlines

Headline Styles

Headline Styles

Headline Styles

Headline Styles

1. Language and headlines

2. What are Headlines A headline is defined as the heading of a news story or article. It is generally placed on the top of the story, printed in large type and gives the news succinctly in an attention-grabbing manner. The high-visibility characteristic of headlines lets them influence the look and appeal of the newspaper as well as its identification from a distance. The presentation of a news story is dependent not only on writing its headline but also on its font, font size and the position on the page. Dr Padmalochana R 2

3. Purpose of Headlines Is the soul of a news item Tells the readers what the story is about. Goal is to grab readers’ attention in five to ten words focuses on the most important aspect of a story Highlights the crux of the news content. Helps the reader decide whether the news story is of interest to him or not Dr Padmalochana R 3

4. Points to remember Accuracy: The words used in the headline must accurately represent the story. A headline giving inaccurate information will harm your as well as the organization's credibility. For example, “hundreds feared dead in a train accident”. “short circuit causes fire at hotel”. Logical: Sometimes, to sensationalize the story headlines, editors give obscure headline. EX: 1. Hema Malini Car Accident: Child Killed, MP Has Minor Injuries 2. With Earphones on, Tamilnadu tourist didn’t hear dad’s warning to duck as stones rained Dr Padmalochana R 4

5. Points to remember Specific: Sometimes, writers do not have a clear idea about what a headline should say about an incident. Dr Padmalochana R 5

6. Points to remember Concise: Headline should be concise because it goes in a larger font size, therefore writers have limited space. A good headline should not be more than 7-8 words and it must come in a single line. For example, “Girl killed by her lover”. This headline is not concise and the word by her is unwanted here. It should be ‘Lover kills girl’ using active verb. Dr Padmalochana R 6

7. Linguistic devices used in headlines Dr Padmalochana R 7 Alliteration: repeating the same first letter or syllable (usually a consonant) in successive words to create a poetic or humorous effect (Suzy’s sausage surprise!). Assonance: repeating certain vowel sounds in the same phrase or sentence. (Away Day for Gay Ray) Cliché: An over-used phrase or expression which has lost its originality - e.g. Phew ! What a scorcher! Linguistic devices used in headlines

8. Linguistic devices used in headlines Dr Padmalochana R 8 Euphemism: the use of a polite or pleasant form of words to describe something less pleasant, e.g. the little girl’s room. Exclamation: usually used to indicate surprise, sarcasm or amusement, e.g. Gosh! Expletives: exclamation or swearword, usually expressing a strong emotion, and usually deleted or substituted by a less offensive word or sound.

9. Linguistic devices used in headlines Dr Padmalochana R 9 Metaphor: implied comparison between two unconnected people or things. Metonym: where the name of a specific object or idea stands for something else to which it is related or a part of. Thus, the Royal Family is often referred to as The Throne, or The Crown; ‘the bottle’ could mean milk or alcohol. Mis-spellings words: deliberately mis-spelt for effect, e.g. Gawd for God.

10. Linguistic devices used in headlines Dr Padmalochana R 10 Parody: an imitation of a well-known phrase or saying which is in some way distorted or changed. Pun: a play on words, often with a double-meaning Rhetorical question: a question to which no answer is expected. Rhyming: words ending in identical sounds, e.g. Pix nix flix in stix . Slang: words or phrases not considered part of standard English, e.g. fresh, cool, dread.

11. Headline Styles Dr Padmalochana R 11 Banner: runs across the entire width of a page. Banners are great for breaking news and big events, such as prom or awards night. A steady diet of banners, however, would soon become monotonous . Kicker: is a clever word or phrase that runs above the main Headline and is usually set in italics. Slammer: is a two-part headline that uses a boldface word or phrase to lead into the main headline

12. Headline Styles Dr Padmalochana R 12 Banner Slammer Kicker/Shoulder

13. Headline Styles Dr Padmalochana R 13 Raw wrap : lets the story wrap around the headline on two sides. Hammer head uses a big, bold phrase to catch the reader’s eye and then adds a lengthier main headline below. It’s like an upside-down kicker. Tripods are headlines that come in three parts: a boldface word or phrase (often in all caps) with two smaller lines set alongside it. Sidesaddle: style puts the headline beside the story. It’s used to squeeze a story—preferably one that’s boxed—into a shallow horizontal space.

14. Headline Styles Dr Padmalochana R 14 Raw wrap Hammer head Tripods Sidesaddle