Newspaper articles
- 2. Newspaper headlines are often incomplete sentences (i.e. Difficult Times Ahead ). Here is a guide to the most common exceptions found in newspaper headlines.
- 3. NOUN PHRASES Headlines often contain a noun phrase with no verb. Here are some examples of noun phrase headlines: Under Pressure from Boss Unexpected Visit Overwhelming Response of Voters
- 4. In the case of long noun phrases, it's helpful to try to connect the ideas by reading backward. For example: Mustang Referral Customer Complaint
- 5. Mustang Referral Customer Complaint By reading backwards, I can guess that: There is a complaint made by a customer about a referral program for Mustang cars. Of course, you need to use your imagine for this!
- 6. VARIOUS VERB CHANGES There are a number of verb changes made to headlines. Simple tenses used instead of continuous or perfect forms. For example: Forgotten Brother Appears = A forgotten brother has appeared (after a long period of time). The infinitive form refers to the future. For example: James Wood to Visit Portland = (Famous actor) James Wood is going to visit Portland soon. Auxiliary verbs are dropped in the passive form. For example: Man Killed in Accident = A Man has been killed in an accident.
- 7. DROP ARTICLES Both definite and indefinite articles are also dropped in newspaper headlines (i.e. Mayor to Choose Candidate ). Here are some more examples: President Declares Celebration = The president has declared a celebration. Passerby Sees Woman Jump = A passerby has seen a woman jump (into the river)
- 8. OTHER CHANGES Use of surname only (without the first name) Bush to meet with Blair. Headlines use nouns not verbs for actions . Edwards tells BL Unions that strike would bring closure Newspaper headlines use block language i.e., a language of their own: ban = to forbid probe = investigation Tory = Conservative Initials are used in headlines to describe companies, organizations, etc.: U.M.B. = United Builders Merchants. Use of passive clauses with no agent: Imports influx feared as Post Office profits are creamed off.
- 9. Newspaper Headlines Difficult Times Ahead Forgotten Brother Appears James Wood to Visit Portland Man Killed in Accident Mayor to Open Shopping Mall Mustang Referral Customer Complaint Overwhelming Response of Voters Passer-by Sees Woman Jump President Declares Celebration Professors Protest Pay Cuts Tommy the Dog Named Hero Under Pressure from Boss
- 10. News items and stories in newspapers have headlines above them. A headline usually has only four or five words. The idea of a headline is to attract the interest of the readers by telling them in an interesting and short way what the story is about.
- 11. ACTIVITIES Read the newspaper stories below and then write a headline for each story. Try to write each one in about five words. 1. Last night Chelsea football club beat Bristol City 3-2 in an exciting game. Johns scored a hat-trick for Chelsea. Headline: ____________________________________________________ 2. Three children were walking across a field in Bedminster when they discovered a hole. At the bottom of the hole was a chest filled with gold and silver. The children ran and told the police about their discovery. Headline:____________________________________________________
- 12. ACTIVITIES – PART 2 3. Yesterday there was a very bad storm at sea. The fishing vessel Saucy Sal began to sink. The captain of the vessel sent out a distress signal. A lifeboat put out to sea and rescued the fishermen just in time. Headline: _______________________________________________________ 4. Two days ago a kitten called Rhubarb, belonging to Mrs Daniels, climbed a tree. It got stuck at the top and could not get down. A large crowd gathered. They could not help the cat. In the end they sent for the fire brigade. The firemen put a ladder up the tree and brought the frightened cat down. Headline: _______________________________________________________ 5. In Bristol yesterday Mrs Brown's brother from Australia visited her at her home in Washington Street. Mrs Brown's brother, Mr Thomas Brown, went to Australia forty years ago and has not returned until now. This is the first time that Mrs Brown has seen her brother since they were children. Headline: _______________________________________________________
- 13. AFTER THE HEADING The following questions must be answered: WHERE? WHEN? WHO? WHAT? WHY? HOW? HOW DO THEY FEEL?
- 14. THE END