Headline Writing (UIL)

Headline Writing (UIL)

Source: Bobby Hawthorne

Rules of headline writing

Sell the story. A good head involves readers

much like a clever ad.

Tell the facts. Precise and specific heads inform

readers instantly of what they may or may not

want to read.

Be accurate. All facts, names, numbers, whatever

must be correct.

Be objective. Don’t editorialize.

Simple but precise. No fancy words. No weird

constructions. Find the right word to

communicate the meaning.

Make tone fit content. Serious story. Serious

headline. Funny story. Funny headline.

Things to remember

• Write in present and future tense
• Numbers are all the numeral, not written out
• Do not use periods unless abbreviating something
• Use commas in place of the word and
• Use single quotations where you would have used double

Let's try one

Avoid Semicolons

Story 1 — Write: 2-line headline counting 14-21

During spring break English teacher Mary Tyrant and math teacher Robbie

Griggs will teach a free SAT-prep class for juniors and seniors. Students can

sign up for the four-day class during lunch starting Monday, Feb. 6.

The prep class will run from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday of

spring break. The teachers are capping the class at 30 students. Sign up is on a

first-come, first-served basis.

“Mr. Griggs and I know that many of our students can’t afford an SAT prep

class and that puts them at a disadvantage,” Tyrant said. “When we proposed

the class to Principal Dawn Brown, she was immediately supportive.”

Junior Dennis Fontego said his mom is pushing him to sign up.

“I’m on the baseball team, so I can’t go anywhere during spring break since

we have practice,” Fontego said. “I do want to improve my SAT score. I guess

I will sign up Monday.”

Hurricane strikes;

School swamped;

Pep rally cancelled

Start by writing a lead

During spring break English teacher Mary Tyrant and math teacher Robbie Griggs will teach a free SAT-prep class for juniors and seniors. Students can sign up for the four-day class during lunch starting Monday, Feb. 6.

Pep rally cancelled

after hurricane

slams into school

Better...

Dwindle it down to the most important information

During spring break English teacher Mary Tyrant and math teacher Robbie Griggs will teach a free SAT-prep class for juniors and seniors. Students can sign up for the four-day class during lunch starting Monday, Feb. 6.

Tyrant and Griggs will teach -30

free SAT-prep class for upperclassmen – 37

Teachers offer – 14

free SAT-prep class - 19

No Cliches!

• Hoop there it is
• Dive into season
• Swing into action
• Math club multiplies