Newspapersections
- 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. 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.
- 10. AFTER THE HEADING The following questions must be answered: WHERE? WHEN? WHO? WHAT? WHY? HOW? HOW DO THEY FEEL?
- 11. THE END