From breaking news about global events to uplifting profiles of local champions, headline news delivers the who, what, where, when, and why in an easily digestible way. From journalism’s earliest days, this writing style has been used to convey information quickly and objectively. Newswriting is a specific form of writing, with its own vocabulary and conventions. Learn how to write a headline with clarity and accuracy in order to inform your readers and engage your audience.
In newspapers, the main story that appears in large font across the top of the front page is often referred to as a “banner headline.” It’s important for a newspaper’s chief editor to decide which stories get this prominent placement. In a website article, the first few words of your headline become part of its URL, so it’s vital to include the most enticing information in the very beginning.
When describing a person in an article, use their full first name or both initials for consistency. This will make your articles easier to read and avoid confusion for your readers. In captions, don’t jar your reader with abrupt switches from second to third person.
A commonly taught writing technique is “show, don’t tell.” Instead of saying that Johnny was tired after running up the hill, for example, show how he felt by using vivid descriptions. This is a great way to engage your reader and create a deeper connection with your topic. Avoid overusing slang, technical terms, or jargon unless necessary.