1. Writing headlines Not titles
There is a difference between headlines and titles. This slide show will explain those differences. You will be asked to write several things down during the slide show. You will those exercises to the teacher once you finish. You may want to type them directly onto an , or in a file, so you don’t have to re-write them later.

2. Basic rules of headline writing
Never write a headline without reading the entire story first.
If the story has a surprise ending, don’t give it away in the headline.
A headline writer must understand the whole story, before capturing the key elements in the headline. Reporters aren’t necessarily the ones assigned to do this. Other members of the staff sometimes have this task.

3. Basic rules of writing headlines
Draw headline information from near the top of the story.
Build the headline around key words, those that must be included.
Build on words in the story, paraphrasing but not parroting.
Do you understand what paraphrasing is? It is when you tell the same information, but in totally different words.

4. Headlines show action and contain a verb
Which of these samples are headlines and contain a verb?
The roaring lion
A lion’s tale
D. Cop requires stitches after lion attack
E. A dangerous lion
F. Lion bites policeman
Which of the samples contain action verbs, and are complete thoughts? This is question/exercise #1
1. Write down the verbs.

5. Are these the headlines you wrote down?
Cop requires stitches after lion attach. (Requires is a verb)
Lion bites policeman. (bites is a verb)
Wrong: The roaring lion: Roaring is used as an adjective, not a verb, and this is not a complete thought.

6. Write a headline for a story surrounding “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
Discuss the basic facts
Write 2-3 possible headlines in your notebooks.
Remember the story of The Three Bears. Who were the characters? What happened? What was the climax of the story?
Exercise #2 Write 2-3 possible headlines for that story, if it were to be written as a news story.
Show facts on Elmo or overhead

7. Possible Headlines Bears’ house vandalized
Parents cited for neglect, Child damages home
Charges filed against girl for breaking and entering
Other ?
Here are some possible headlines that would work. Make sure your suggestions have a strong action verb included, and contain a complete thought.

8. Change these titles to headlines
Titles usually do not have a verb. Change these titles to headlines.
1. The Three Little Pigs
2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
3. The Hunger Games
On your own, brainstorm ideas for the Obit Profile!
Here are the titles of some stories and movies you may know. Based upon what you know happened in the story, change these to headlines. This is exercise #3.

9. Possible headlines for stories
Wolf boiled alive by three pigs
Apple causes teen to fall into coma
Tribute volunteers in place of sister
Taylor takes tumble on Tool Time
Do your headlines you wrote contain verbs, and complete thoughts? You can’t use your teacher’s ideas. Write your own.

10. Basic rules of headline writing
When you write a headline remember:
Include a subject and a verb
Use present tense of verb
Eliminate articles (the, an, a)
Don’t use “is” or “are”
Use comma to indicate “and” or a semicolon
Do not mislead the reader
Be consistent with the tone of the story
More things to remember

11. Headline writing style
Headlines do not end with a period
Most papers use “down style”
Only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized
Sample Headlines
Emotions run high as Dole retires from Senate
Eight local schools keep students indoors this summer
Farrakhan praises Cuban schools
Which of these three stories is probably the most important and at the top of the page.
Question #5.
Dole story--
Farrakhan and school story in middle of The Universe

12. Write three possible headlines for this story.
Brad Jones and Kim Smith always said the sky was the limit as far as their love was concerned. Last week they proved it by getting married--in midair.
Jones and Smith and a daring pastor, the Rev. Charles Brown, strapped on parachutes Saturday morning and jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet. The trio clasped hands to form a ring while the Rev. Brown conducted the ceremony.
Exercise #7. Write three different headlines for this story.

13. Enjoy some headline humor
-Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge
-Deer Kill 17,000
   
- New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
- Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
- Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy   
Here are some humorous headlines, which were probably unintentional.
When you finish, your responses to each of the 8 tasks in this slide show.