Writing Headlines

Writing Headlines clever headline writing for student publications

head’s up! It only makes sense that the largest type on the spread captures and keeps your readers’ interest with well-written and creatively designed headlines. Writing good headlines takes some thought and a lot of practice! However, headlines are what draw the reader to your page—so make them count!

verbal-visual connection • Well-written headlines: ~Serve as an informational content entry point ~Capture and keep readers on the page with clever word play & specific details ~Reflect the dominant photo coverage ~Unify the visual elements on the page • Well-designed headlines: ~Have a strong visual package of headline parts ~Effectively and creatively use of typography

parts of a headline • Primary Headline: Captures readers’ attention with a hint of the story content • Secondary Headline: Provides keen information and insights that dates coverage for that year

for example: primary headline secondary headline

effective headlines • Identify spread content • Attract the readers’ attention • Reflect the mood of the spread • Tie into the action of the dominant photo

creative headlines • Result from word play • Use literary techniques such as alliteration, pun, antonym, synonym, homonym, onomatopoeia, rhyme • Coordinate with the content of the dominant photo

Headline writing process List key words for a spread Focus on content angle and significance Example: Spirit Week: hurricane excitement cancellation wild spirit

Headline writing process Brainstorm key word rhyming words: week, cheek, peak, weak List phrases that use those rhyming words pinch your cheek peak of action a weak moment Transition those words into a clever headline

Headline writing process example: Step 1: Look at your page. For this example we’ll use a Summer spread. Step 2: List 10-15 words that have something to do with summer EXAMPLES: Hot, Fun, Travel, Family, Sweat, Thrills, Love, Curfew, Work, Tan, Swim, Lazy Step 3: Brainstorm rhyming/literary words EXAMPLES: Hot—not, knot, shot, trot, yacht Fun—run, sun Love—dove, shove, above, glove Step 4: List phrases that have rhyming words and key transition words EXAMPLES: Fan the flames Love in the 100 degrees Summer’s bummers

sample • Literary Device: Rhyme

sample • Literary Device: Alliteration

sample • Literary Device: Onomatopoeia

sample • Literary Device: Pun

designing headlines Kicker pattern 1 line of secondary above primary School dismissal crams Spirit Week into four days The Call of the Wild

Headline design: Kickers

designing headlines Wicket pattern 2 or more lines of secondary above primary School dismissal crams Spirit Week into four days The Call of the Wild

Headline design: wicket

designing headlines Hammer pattern 1 or more lines of secondary below primary The Call of the Wild School dismissal crams Spirit Week into four days

Headline design: Hammers

designing headlines Tripod pattern 2 or more lines of secondary beside line(s) of primary The Call of the WILD “I couldn’t believe we had to cram all of Monday’s events into the rest of the week.” ~Senior Jason Chastain

Headline design: Tripods

now, you try it! • Using the 3rd page of your handout, go through step 1, 2, and 3 for writing a headline: Write two different headlines (primary and secondary.) Using the topic you used in the last activity for your headline. • Rewrite your headlines in the different pattern: Kicker, Wicket, Hammer, and Tripod. Write these on the right side of the 4th page.

headline tips Revise/refine headlines for strong appeal -Keep headlines factual; no opinions -Use visual nouns and action verbs -Avoid repetition of words -Use a comma instead of “and” -Use single quote marks in headlines -Write headlines in present tense -Avoid school name, initials, mascot -Maintain style consistency with the rest of the book

practice makes perfect!assignment suggestions • Break into small groups, give each group topics/activities that will be covered in the book (volleyball, business classes, National Honor Society, etc.), and have them brainstorm at least three clever headlines using the writing process from this power point. Write them down for future use. • As an outside class assignment, have students head out to a mall for inspiration. Start looking at store and advertising signs for color, type, and layout ideas. Notice which signs don’t appeal to you and why, so you know what to avoid! Have students bring in pictures from their phones. • Use magazines as a muse. Bring in magazines for your staff to look through. Mark headlines that are catchy, clever, creative, and cut them out. Put together into a “look book” for staff to look at when they suffer from headline burnout. • Have staffers rewrite boring headlines from previous years’ books. Use the better headlines in this year’s book!

Writing Headlines