How to Write Headlines

HOW TO WRITE HEADLINES WHAT A HEADLINE DOES A headline is the gateway to a news story.

It is often the first—and sometimes only— part of a story a reader sees. A strong headline must do three essential things: 1. Summarize the most important information 2. Attract reader attention 3. Reflect the tone and accuracy of the story In professional journalism, a headline is not just decoration—it is a precision tool. A misleading or vague headline undermines credibility, while a strong one reinforces clarity and trust.

THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD HEADLINES

2. Prioritize the Most Important Information

1. Accuracy Comes First

Headlines should reflect the central news value of the story—not minor details.

A headline must always be factually correct and supported by the story: • Do not exaggerate • Do not imply what cannot be confirmed • Do not oversimplify in a way that distorts meaning

Ask yourself: • What is the most newsworthy element?

• What would matter most to readers?

Weak: City council meets Tuesday night

Weak (misleading): Mayor ends crime in city

Strong: City council approves $2 million budget increase

Strong (accurate): Mayor announces new initiative aimed at reducing crime

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3. Be Clear and Specific

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Avoid vague or generic wording. Precision helps readers quickly understand the story.

Cut unnecessary words Avoid filler phrases Use strong verbs

Wordy: There was a fire that destroyed several homes

Weak: Local event draws crowd

Concise: Fire destroys several homes

Strong: Food festival draws 5,000 attendees downtown

THE STRUCTURE OF A HEADLINE

4. Be Concise

Most news headlines follow a Subject– Verb–Object structure: School board approves new policy

Headlines must be tight and efficient, especially in print where space is limited:

This structure: • Emphasizes action • Keeps writing direct and readable WRITING IN PRESENT TENSE Even though news stories often describe past events, headlines are typically written in the present tense.

Example: • Story: The governor signed the bill yesterday.

• Headline: Governor signs bill into law This creates a sense of immediacy and relevance.

USING STRONG VERBS Strong verbs make headlines more engaging and informative.

Replace weak verbs: • “is,” “are,” “was,” “were” • “has,” “have” With stronger verbs: • “approves,” “rejects,”

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“launches,”

“cuts,” “expands,” “wins,” “files”

These are the most common and should be your default.

Weak: School board is making changes to policy

Example: Police arrest suspect in robbery

Strong: School board revises policy

2. Feature Headlines

AVOIDING “HEADLINE-ESE” PROBLEMS

Feature stories allow for slightly more creativity, but clarity still matters.

“Headline-ese” refers to awkward or unnatural phrasing used to save space.

Example: From Classroom to Kitchen: Student Builds Baking Business

Common Issues: • Dropping necessary words • Creating confusing phrasing • Using unclear abbreviations Confusing: Council OKs tax hike plan Clearer (still concise): Council approves tax increase plan Clarity should never be sacrificed for brevity.

AP STYLE IN HEADLINES While headlines are more flexible than body copy, they still follow general Associated Press (AP) style principles.

Key Guidelines: • Use numerals for most numbers: • 5 injured in crash • Use title case or sentence case depending on publication style • Avoid unnecessary punctuation • Use standard abbreviations carefully and only when widely recognized TYPES OF HEADLINES 1. Straight News Headlines

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Online Headlines: • Can be slightly longer • Must be search-friendly (SEO) • Should include key terms readers might search Example (online): Arkansas schools close after winter storm causes icy roads COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID 1. Being Too Vague 3. Question Headlines (Use Sparingly)

Officials make decision (What officials? What decision?)

Avoid when possible—they can sound weak or speculative.

2. Overloading with Information

Weak: Will the new policy work?

City council approves budget, discusses zoning, hears public comments (Too much—focus on the main point)

Better: New policy aims to improve graduation rates

3. Editorializing Avoid inserting opinion.

4. Avoid Clickbait

Biased: City council foolishly approves budget

In journalism, credibility matters more than clicks.

Clickbait (avoid): You won’t believe what happened at the city council meeting Professional: City council debates controversial zoning proposal WRITING FOR DIFFERENT PLATFORMS Print Headlines: • Limited by space • Must be extremely concise • Often omit articles (“a,” “an,” “the”)

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Neutral: City council approves budget

state championship in school history.

4. Misleading Emphasis

Weak: Team wins game

Do not highlight a minor detail just because it sounds dramatic.

Strong: Central High wins first state volleyball title

5. Repeating the Lead Word-for-Word

Example 2:

A headline should complement the story, not simply duplicate it.

Story Summary: A new campus policy restricts parking for freshmen.

STEPS FOR WRITING A STRONG HEADLINE

Weak: New rules affect students

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Strong: New policy restricts freshman parking on campus

Read the entire story carefully Identify the main news point Choose the strongest verb Write a clear, concise sentence Trim unnecessary words Check for accuracy and tone Revise for clarity and impact

FINAL TIPS FOR STUDENT JOURNALISTS • • • • •

PRACTICE EXAMPLES Example 1: Story Summary: A high school volleyball team wins its first

Accuracy is non-negotiable Clarity beats cleverness Strong verbs drive strong headlines Always reflect the story’s true focus Revise—great headlines are rarely written in one attempt

CONCLUSION A well-crafted headline is not just a summary—it is a promise to the reader. It tells them what matters, why it matters, and invites them into the story. Mastering headline writing is essential for any journalist because it combines precision, judgment, and clarity in just a few words.

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