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Headlines: REP

                                                         Headlines


Definition of Headlines

Headlines are concise yet impactful phrases that summarize the essence of an article, playing a crucial role in capturing a reader’s attention and influencing whether they engage with the content. They are widely used in news articles, blog posts, advertisements, social media, and press releases, serving as a gateway to the main story. In Telugu, they are referred to as 'Siirshikalu.'

A well-crafted headline is typically limited to one or two sentences, providing a quick yet clear overview of the content. Given the fast-paced nature of information consumption, headlines help readers grasp the key message at a glance, making them an essential feature in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms. In print media, headlines are usually presented in a uniform type and font size for readability and consistency.

To be effective, headlines must be bold, clear, and compelling while maintaining brevity and occupying minimal space. They should be persuasive and engaging, drawing readers into the article while remaining accurate and relevant to the content. A strong headline not only informs but also entices, ensuring that the article reaches and resonates with its intended audience.

Functions of Headlines

  • To divide the news in the pages clearly and make it easier for the reader.

  • To create a sense of interest in the reader by projecting the news.

  • To highlight the news according to fields they belong to. For example: politics, reports, culture etc.

  • To give a brief outline of the news making it to the point, quick, easier and concise.

  • To create a visual index of the news printed in the papers.

 Importance of Headlines

  • The headline is the most important part of any piece of writing - whether it is an article, newsletter, sales copy, blog entry, web page, email or business report.








2. Indirect headline
3. Benefit Headline
Characteristics of News Headlines:
13. Command headline
14. Emotional headline
15. Wordplay headline
16. Brand name headline
17. Best headline
18. Two-part headline
19. Relational headlines
20. Location-specific headline
21. Challenging belief headline
22. Confrontational headline
23. Testimonial headline
24. The "backed by science" headline
25. Background headline
Online or Print Media – What are the types of Headlines Used Effectively?


  • Headlines do not have more than one or two sentences and are helpful in taking a rapid glance at the news since their main aim is to help the reader to get an idea about the news within a few seconds only.

  • Headline can also be defined as a title for an article in a newspaper, usually one line or sometimes even more, which is set in larger and bolder font type than the body of the article and indicating the subject matter or content of the article.

  • Headlines must also be catchy, thereby being bold and clear and must also occupy less space and be concise. The point is to get the attention of the reader and draw him into the story.

  • Garst and Bernstein (Mardh 1980, as cited in Bharani,1996) stated that, “headlines are governed essentially by the requirement of utility”. This statement means that headlines help in creating interest and curiosity among the readers, headlines play a crucial role, as their language has its own grammar. It can also provide a brief summary of the text.

  • It is the choice of the reader, whether to read the whole text or not. Straumann (Bharani, 1996) called headlines 'block language' which includes various other natural languages like posters, labels, and telegrams. Block language has grammatical units lower than that of a sentence or clause. Headlines are, in a sense, the results of the ellipsis since they are modified and limited to noun phrases. For example, there is omission of articles etc.

  • Without a good headline the rest of the news or article will not be read. Busy people keep their lives manageable by deciding almost instantly whether something is worth their time or not. The headline is the first and sometimes the only chance to draw in people to particular news.

  • For both online and print media, headlines play an essential role in promoting business. Why these approaches exist is because of its major purpose to catch readers’ attention. Because of this bottom line: To achieve higher sales.

Types of Headlines

1. Direct Headline

A direct headline clearly states the purpose of an article ,  it is a straight-to-the-point headline. It usually involves facts in the article to summarize the overall idea. Readers know exactly what they are going to read or see when you use a direct headline. It is very specific and very serious. No jokes. No wordplay. It is not dull, but it is direct. But if you choose this kind of headline make sure you have it all that suffice what the headline tells.

Example : 

  • "RBI Raises Repo Rate by 0.5% to Control Inflation

  •   "India Records Highest Monsoon Rainfall in a Decade" 

An indirect headline takes a subtle approach by hinting at the main point of an article. Since it doesn't directly state the key idea, it targets a reader's curiosity to discover what the article is about.

Example:

  • "Will India Overtake China as the World's Fastest-Growing Economy?"

  • "How Safe Are Indian Railways for Women Passengers?"

Benefit headline is another type of headline that compels the attention of the readers. This is often very promising. If you are writing a headline for Online-publish, you must know your audience well, so you can offer them a compelling reason to believe.

“Never miss a sale, Free Apps and Card Reader” – Online

4. Question Headline

A question headline is a type of headline which is best for segmentation experiences. A question headline poses a question to readers with the intention of providing the answer within the article.They sometimes overlap with “how-to” and “why” headlines, and they follow a similar principle .It is suggested  that one should strive to write question headlines that ki audience can’t answer with a simple “yes” or “no”. After all, if your audience feels like they can answer the question without reading your article, why would they need to read it?

Example: 

  • "Can India Achieve Its Renewable Energy Goals by 2030?"

  • "What Does the New Tax Reform Mean for the Common Man?"

5. Attention-Grabbing

Attention-grabbing headlines can be provocative, shocking or use a play on words. This might be any of the above types of headlines listed. However, attention-grabbing headlines, especially when printed in a newspaper, is risky, because there might be audiences that misunderstand what you really mean about it, maybe because of the words used or any other factor. In using this type of headline, there must be some element to consider, be careful not to offend your reader, keep an eye to the words used. “Get paid for 50 cents, fast, online, secure!” – (Online) Intuit

6. How-To headline

How-to headlines often constitute the ideals of step-by-step information given in a specific article. This type of headline teaches readers ways to learn a new skill or solve a problem through an outline of steps. To write a how-to headline, writers start with the phrase "how to," followed by the action they want their readers to learn. It also helps highlight why that particular article might benefit them. Of course, when you use a “how-to” headline, you will  want to use it to title a piece that follows through with your promise. For example, if you use the headline “How to Build a Boat”, one should include at least a basic overview of how to construct a boat.You can also  add details to your “how-to” headline to give your audience clear expectations about your piece. 

Example:

  •  "How To Drive in a Foreign Country Like a Local"

  •  “How to make a delicious salad this summer.”

7. List Headline

This is the best approach for a “how-to headline.” List headline tells the specific number of things provided in an article. This informs the readers the things listed inside the article that they might need to know.

8. News Headline

News headlines make important announcements about a company or its products and inform readers about current affairs, policy changes, or breaking news. They should be clear, concise, and fact- driven.

  • Accuracy: The information should be factual and verifiable.

  • Timeliness: News headlines should reflect current events.

  • Clarity: They should be easy to understand without ambiguity.

 Journalists often use these types of headlines in news articles to efficiently share recent information with the public. 

Example: 

  • "India Becomes the World’s Fifth-Largest Economy"

  • "Supreme Court Strikes Down Controversial Law on Free Speech"

  • "Parliament Passes Landmark Women’s Reservation Bill"

9. Flush Left Headline

This is one of the more modern headline forms in use. It consists of two or three lines of headline, each one set flush left to the left side of the space. The design is simple and allows freedom in writing the headline. No rules govern the writing of the flush left headline; however a uniform style for better results is generally adopted. This type of headline is popular because it is easy to write, allows flexibility in unit count and provides a feeling of airiness to the page with the white space.The idea is to create a strong visual flow that makes the content easy to read and approachable. 

Examples : 

  • “50% Off – Shop Now and Save Big on Your Favorite Items!”

  • “Experience the Latest Technology with Our Brand-New Laptop!”

10. Banner Headline

The journalism industry is highly competitive, and attracting the attention of the readers, viewers or listeners is the most important thing. The audience should have a reason for choosing a particular newspaper, television channel or radio station. Headlines play an important role in attracting attention, especially in print media. Banner headlines are words printed in extra large letters across the top of the cover page of the newspaper. Startling banner headlines that describe in a few words a happening story can help increase sales.

Banner headlines are words printed in extra large letters across the top of the front page of the newspaper on extremely important stories; they are not used frequently,but when they are used, they have a significant impact. 150-170 points

Example : 


“PM’S NO LOSS GAME WITH G4 GAMBLE”


"HISTORIC BILL PASSED: 50% SEATS RESERVED FOR WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT"

11. Inverted Pyramid Headline

There are distinct advantages to using the inverted pyramid headline style for news writing. People often are in a rush and seldom have time to read every word of a story. The advantage of the inverted pyramid headline is that it concentrates on presenting pertinent facts first. With inverted pyramid stories, the most important information goes in the first paragraph, and the less important information follows to the very end of the story. The inverted pyramid headline generally consists of three lines, the first runs across the column and the other two lines are shorter than the first line. The headline is created from the informative facts presented at the start of the story.

Examples : 

  • "Govt Launches Free Digital Learning for Rural Students, Aims to Bridge Education Gap"

  • "India's New Gender Equality Law to Boost Women's Workplace Rights, Experts Say"

12. Cross-Line Headline

The cross-line headline is quite similar to a banner headline. While it is a large headline, it does not span the entire width of the page, but it does run across all the columns of the story it pertains to. The cross-line headline is one of the simplest types of headlines, consisting of a single line and one or more columns in width. It can run flush on both sides of the paper or it can have the words centred over the columns. This type of headline is generally used when there is more than one column for a story and to produce a formal look.

Example: "New Study Reveals Shocking Health Risks—How You Can Protect Yourself from the Dangers"

  • First line: "New Study Reveals Shocking Health Risks"

  • Second line: "How You Can Protect Yourself from the Dangers"

Command headlines tell readers what to do or what they can learn by reading an article. Companies typically use this type of headline when creating an advertisement. Most command headlines start with a strong action verb.

Example: 

  • "Check Your PAN-Aadhaar Link Status Before the Deadline"

  • "Apply Now for Government Subsidies on Electric Vehicles"

Emotional headlines typically target either a positive or negative feeling to encourage an audience to read an article. To do this, writers use powerful words such as affordable or stressed.

Example:

  •  "Ways You Can Prevent Work Burnout in the New Year"

  •   "Get Ready for the Biggest Festival Sale of the Year – Offers You Can’t Miss!"

A wordplay headline uses a creative formation of words and phrasing, typically in the form of a pun or irony. Companies often use these headlines when trying to make a less important topic amusing.

Example: 

  • "Local Auto Race Hits Bump in the Road"

Brand name headlines use recognizable organizations to compare a company's business or products to its competitors. This can be helpful for new businesses trying to participate in a similar market as a more established company.

Example: 

  • "Skeeter Expected to Gain More Popularity Than Peach Scooter"

Best headlines rank certain items above others. These can attract readers who look for top-rated content, such as the best restaurants to try or the best computer to buy, for example.

Example: 

  • "Best Cities To Live in After College"

A two-part headline uses a punctuation mark, such as a colon, em dash or parentheses to combine two ideas. Usually, both parts of these headlines can stand alone, but together, they increase the chances of capturing a reader's attention.

Example:

  •  "Why Word-of-Mouth Advertising Can Increase Sales: The Five Key Steps"

Relational headlines connect a reader to the subject of an article by using second-person language. Relating the topic to the reader helps them become interested in reading and discovering how this article can help them.

Example:

  •  "Here's How You Could Make $1,000 From Your Couch"

Location-specific headlines attract readers by making them feel included in knowledge only a select group of people would know. These headlines focus on something that people in a particular area share in common.

Example: 

  • \"12 Things Anyone Who Lives in Seattle Knows To Be True"

A challenging belief headline convinces individuals to read by using a reverse psychology technique. Usually, these headlines begin with, "You won't believe..." which often makes viewers want to read an article to see whether it actually surprised them.

Example: 

  • "You Won't Believe How Celebrities Are Losing Belly Fat"

Confrontational headlines are persuasive, as they attract people who either agree with the headline or have opposing opinions. Posing a controversial stance can entice individuals to read and see whether the article changed or enforced their existing opinions.

Example:

  •  "12 Reasons Why Recycling Is Hurting the Planet"

  • "Why Are Millions of Indian Kids Still Out of School?"

A testimonial headline features a real-life experience or endorsement from an individual, often to build credibility and emotional connection.

Example: 

  • "This Cooking Plan Helps Me Make Meals for My Picky Children"

  • "‘Online Classes Changed My Life’ – A Village Girl’s Journey to Becoming an Engineer"

  • "‘Solar Power Saved My Farm’ – A Farmer’s Story of Sustainable Agriculture"

This headline supports a statement by confirming its thesis with scientific evidence and proof. Writers use these headlines for articles that include research on a particular idea.

Example: 

  • "Scientists Believe Cicadas Are About To Emerge From Underground"

  • "Studies Show Digital Learning Boosts Rural Students’ Performance by 40%"

  • "Scientists Prove: India’s Reforestation Efforts Are Reducing Air Pollution Levels"

Background headlines start with contextual information. This is usually a two-part headline, with the first part providing background and the second half explaining the significance or reason for the first statement.

examples : 

  • "How Digital Classrooms Are Transforming Rural India’s Education System"

  • "The Silent Revolution: How Women Entrepreneurs Are Changing India’s Economy"

26.  Quotation Headline

 A quotation headline is the one that uses quotes in order that its impact is not reduced or lost after it is paraphrased. A quote is not a story in itself and hence is used to emphasize a news angle or news point. That is why quotes are used sparsely in headlines.

Examples : 

  • "‘We Must Act Now’ – Climate Activist Urges India to Cut Carbon Emissions"

  • "‘Women’s Safety Is Our Top Priority’ – Government Announces New Policy Measures"

Headline,  Technical  Writing Process

Writing a headline involves both the literary and technical aspects. Font size, positioning of text, font style, width of the text and presentation are some of the technical considerations one must keep in mind while writing the headlines. Selection of words, sentence structure and the headline type are some of the literary aspects.

1) Display and Point Size

Headlines have to be designed to fit into the allotted space. Thus, in a three column (3-col) story, the headline must occupy three columns of type only. In larger publications, generally one of the editors is assigned the job of determining the headline size, while others decide the headline content. A shorthand communication as 2-36-2 (two- thirty six-two) means that the story has two columns requiring a 36-point (pt) head arranged in two lines. 

Such a headline is also known as a double-decker head in the newsroom or the production department. Shorthand for headlines is written in the following sequence: number of columns, the type size and the number of lines. The height of type size is measured in points while its width is measured in picas. The type sizes are standard. A type size, which is equal to or smaller than about 12 pt., is best used for body text and is rarely used for headlines. Larger than this point is used for headlines that follow a font size in the range of 14-84. Such headlines are also known as display type.

2)Width, Weight, and Style

Width of a headline is decided based on the newspaper columns allotted to the news story. When a headline is bigger than the column space provided, double decker headline is used i.e., it is split in two lines instead of one. Setting the distance between letters, known as kerning the text, also helps reduce space between the words, allowing the headline to fit into the given width. The bolder the font the greater is the weight of the headline. Weight of a headline suggests the priority given to the news story by the editor.

Weight is also related to the font style chosen for writing the headline, e.g., a story written in Light /Semi Light style has lesser weight than that written in Condensed or Bold. Similarly, the font style also helps to decide the weight of a news story. The headlines in sans serif font styles are soft news or feature news stories. The headlines in serif fonts have more weight. Newspapers using sans serif fonts only, opt for a font family providing them a variety of font styles and weights.

3)Deciding News Angle

Generally, News Angle means perspective based on some element or point of the story. For example, a story can be written from the perspective of the people or Headline and Lead Writing.

Read more: Types Of Headlines | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8440583_types-headlines.html#ixzz28x4j1IdW

July 20th, 2012 Jonathan Page-Acabo

PRESS NEWS PRINTING– Headline is a caption printed at the top of an article or a page in a newspaper. It is usually printed in large or bold letters which often summarise the content that follows it. Headlines are very catchy that drive the reader’s attention to read the entire article.

ONLINE – Headline is not only used in printed Newspaper but it is also very much effective in Online businesses. Nowadays, online marketing is more effective than traditional print media marketing.

For both online and print media, headlines play an essential role in promoting business. Why these approaches exist is because of its major purpose to catch readers’ attention. Because of this bottomline: To achieve higher sales.

Types of Headlines that might enhance your journalistic skills

Whatever your understanding of how you define HEADLINE, there is only one total-sum of that, it is the most important element for both printed news and online articles like blogs. Headline engages readers, and you as writer will make sure what the headline tells is provided in your content. Headline writing, however, is one that takes time, practice and patience. So, to help you attain the most effective headline that suits your needs for both online and printed adverts, here

TIPS: Conciseness

Did you notice that my sample headlines given above did not exceed up to 10 words? In writing headline, either it is published in newspaper or online, the principle is “the shorter, the better.” Make sure your headline showcases everything that the reader might need to know and get engaged to read the rest of the article.

For Online Writing, in order to have a unique but engaging and effective headline, try to copy and paste your headline to search engines and see the best results that come up. If it already exists, there is nothing wrong with that, but you may not want your article to be associated with the content beneath that existing one especially if it’s of inferior quality, however, you can do something that suffice your want. You may consider altering some words or try revising the entire headline itself.

The cross-line:

  • The cross-line headline is quite similar to a banner headline. While it is a large headline, it does not span the entire width of the page, but it does run across all the columns of the story it pertains to. The cross-line headline is one of the simplest types of headlines, consisting of a single line and one or most often more columns in width. It can run flush on both sides of the paper or it can have the words centred over the columns. This type of headline is generally used to produce a formal look. 100-130 points

  • Eg: Shashank agreed to head BCCI

 The Drop-line:

This type is also known as the 'step line' or 'step head' because the lines in this type are indented and step down uniformly and progressively from the left. It usually consists of two or three lines.

Eg: Fake visa racket

    Busted at IGI

 The Inverted pyramid:

This form is usually employed more as a subordinate deck in a headline. It generally consists of three lines, with the top line exceeding all the way across the column. The next two lines are set to be shorter than the one above, with words centred according to the count or measure. It is one of the difficult forms of headlines as it takes more time of the sub-editor's time in setting. Still it is one of the most widely used forms of headlines.

Eg:  Drinking Age: AAP goes

       for debate, BJP goes

         for moral science 

The Hanging intention:

The desire to include more lines into the headlines has resulted in this type of headline. Like most of the smaller types of headlines, this type is also

used as a subordinate deck. The first line is set to flush on both the sides; and the other lines that follow are indented from the left with an even amount of space.

Ex: From Sunday, INA Delhi Haat to get Free wifi

 The Flush left:

This is one of the more modern headline forms in use. It consists of two or three lines of headline, each one set flush left to the left side of the space. The design is simple and allows freedom in writing the headline. No rules govern the writing of the flush left headline; however a uniform style for better results is generally adopted. This type of headline is popular because it is easy to write, allows flexibility in unit count and provides a feeling of airiness to the page with the white space. 

The Spread:

A headline or deck, which extends over two or more columns in length, is known as the 'spread'. The flush-left, the drop-line and the cross line are the most common headlines used in the spread.

The above-mentioned forms of headlines are very popular and most commonly used in most of the newspapers and magazines. There are various other headline forms or styles, which are less commonly used or out of use. Some such forms of headlines are listed to know the variety in headline forms.

Eg: Class X textbook says Working women cause unemployment

 The Astonisher:

It belongs to one of the recent trends in headlines. In this type, a smaller line is set in a smaller type above the main deck. This smaller typed line is a striking statement or facts or idioms, which are intended to gain the attention of the reader. Occasionally it reads into the main deck. This is also called the 'read in' headline, 'over line' headline. Or 'whip-lash'.

Ex: Haj Crush 15 Indians killed, 9 from Gujarat

 The Rocket:

In the rocket style of headline, the lead itself starts with a headline and takes the reader into the story. It is the most unorthodox form of headlines. It is called so because of the 'stream-lined' principle involved. Making use of the flush-left, the first word is capitalised and all the others, which follow, are handled the way they appear in ordinary composition writing. To write such headlines reporters require training and rewriting leads to different stories that will make the headline impractical.

This type headline not seen in the Indian Newspapers both English and Telugu.

Eg :Great trouble

has developed

In view country

Over the naming of

New officers who are

To handle distribution

Of funds collected for use in

Feeding and clothing victims

Of the recent storms and floods

Which swept over the area two

weeks ago

 The Jump head:

Long articles or stories make it difficult, sometimes to print the stories in the same page. This becomes more difficult if we want a pleasing page-design.

Most papers carry their stories over the other pages in order to pass the reader inside the paper. When part of the story is continued to another page, it is accompanied by what is called a hump head to help the reader to find the material carried over.

Eg: Respiratory diseases on strike

 Continued on Pg6

Respiratory Disease cases rose by 5m since 2012: govt

Boxed heads: 

Borders or lines are drawn around a headline to give it prominence. Such deadlines are called boxed heads. Box heads are losing their importance, as there is heavy stress in using headlines, which are as simple as possible. But still in some newspapers we find usage of box heads. If lines on all four sides do not surround the headline, then it is called the 'modified Box head'. To separate a story from another story box head is used in the same column. 

Sub heads:

To break up long columns of big stories, subheads are used for every two or three paragraphs to throw some light on the importance of various aspects of the story. The most common type of sub-head is a single straight line with capital letters, set centred in between the columns.

Eg: Gurgoan shows the way : car-free

Tuesdays to control maniac traffic (CROSS LINE)

 3 columns

2 sub heads: 1. Air pollution level drops 21% in cyber city

                     2. Delhi to follow with no cars on oct 22

 Headline Technical  Writing Process

Writing a headline involves both the literary and technical aspects. Font size, positioning of text, font style, width of the text and presentation are some of the technical considerations one must keep in mind while writing the headlines. Selection of words, sentence structure and the headline type are some of the literary aspects.

Display and Point Size

Headlines have to be designed to fit into the allotted space. Thus, in a three column (3-col) story, the headline must occupy three columns of type only. In larger publications, generally one of the editors is assigned the job of determining the headline size, while others decide the headline content. A shorthand communication as 2-36-2 (two- thirty six-two) means that the story has two columns requiring a 36-point (pt) head arranged in two lines. 

Such a headline is also known as a double-decker head in the newsroom or the production department. Shorthand for headlines is written in the following sequence: number of columns, the type size and the number of lines. The height of type size is measured in points while its width is measured in picas. The type sizes are standard. A type size, which is equal to or smaller than about 12 pt., is best used for body text and is rarely used for headlines. Larger than this point is used for headlines that follow a font size in the range of 14-84. Such headlines are also known as display type.

Width, Weight, and Style

Width of a headline is decided based on the newspaper columns allotted to the news story. When a headline is bigger than the column space provided, double decker headline is used i.e., it is split in two lines instead of one. Setting the distance between letters, known as kerning the text, also helps reduce space between the words, allowing the headline to fit into the given width. The bolder the font the greater is the weight of the headline. 

Weight of a headline suggests the priority given to the news story by the editor. Weight is also related to the font style chosen for writing the headline, e.g., a story written in Light /Semi Light style has lesser weight than that written in Condensed or Bold. Similarly, the font style also helps to decide the weight of a news story. The headlines in sans serif font styles are soft news or feature news stories. The headlines in serif fonts have more weight. Newspapers using sans serif fonts only, opt for a font family providing them a variety of font styles and weights.

Deciding News Angle

Generally, News Angle means perspective based on some element or point of the story. For example, a story can be written from the perspective of the people or Headline and Lead Writing.

Writing the Headline

The best way to write an attention-grabbing headline is to understand the storyful. Thus, having got a good idea of the story, the sub-editor is able to reflect it correctly in the headline. Under headline pressures, most sub-editors/copy editors only read the opening lines of the story to come up with a headline. At times, a fact or a figure buried in the body text can also be used as a selling point in the headline. After writing the headline, one should always get a third-person to check it for its language and impact. Headlines using redundant words are best-dropped. Similarly, ambiguity has no place in headlines. Moreover, headlines contradicting the story are not to be used at all.

Rules For Writing  Headlines

Writing the headlines is considered of prime importance because it is these headlines that make the news appear more interesting. According to him there are certain essential points, which are to be taken note of while writing headlines. -

a) The main points of the stories sent by the reporters are to be grasped and understood carefully by the sub-editor as quickly as possible and develop a headline.

b) The headline should be written in such a manner that it is properly fitted into the space allotted to it.

c) Usage of articles should be avoided.

d) Active verbs could be used because their usage becomes necessary

c) Usage of auxiliary verbs like 'is', 'are', 'was', 'were', ' to be' etc, should be avoided.

f) The units of the letters and their type sizes should be taken note of while writing headlines. Proper count of units of letters is very important to utilize the space provided for headlines.

g) Good editing of the report is necessary, which provides the sub-editor to give a good headline.

h) The headlines have to be written with considerable clarity, which makes the reader understand the inner content of the story easily.

i) It should always be noted that there should be good relation between the headline and its content.

j) Small and simpler words should be used in headlines.

Ex: 'go' or 'left' is better than 'departed', 'saw' is better than 'witnessed', 'talks' is better than 'consultations' and 'start' or 'begin' is better than 'commence'.

k) Different forms of headlines should be used according to the page makeup so that an attractive page could be worked out.

l) Exclamation marks and question marks should be avoided as far as possible.

REFERENCES

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/headline

https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8443/jspui/pdfToThesis.jsp?to Handle=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/205477&toFile=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/205477/10/09%20chapter%203.pdf

https://www.threedeepmarketing.com/media/1523/headlines-ebook.pdf

https://www.slideshare.net/jaysalinas2/journalism-writing-headlines

Compiled By 

Priyanshi Bhardwaj

Journalism 2023

Modified by : Jiya Pahade (Batch of 2027) and Riya Kaul (Batch of 2027)


Apr 2, 2025

Leads in Journalism: REP Notes

 What is a Lead?

A lead is the introductory paragraph of a news story that sets the stage for the rest of the article. It is the most crucial part of any news report because it determines whether the reader will continue reading or lose interest. A well-crafted lead provides a clear, concise, and engaging summary of the story while maintaining journalistic accuracy.  

Since many readers skim through news articles, the lead serves as a condensed version of the news, giving them the essential details upfront. It typically answers the five Ws (What, Who, When, Where, Why) and one H (How)—a framework that ensures all critical aspects of the news are covered in a single paragraph.  

Characteristics of a Good Lead

1. Accuracy and Brevity:

   A lead should be factually correct and to the point. It usually consists of about 30 words, effectively summarizing the main event without unnecessary details.  

2. Engagement and Clarity:

   The lead should capture the reader’s attention instantly by presenting information in a compelling and clear manner. A strong lead hooks the audience and encourages them to continue reading.  

3. Tone and Mood Reflection:

   The tone of the lead should match the nature of the story. For example, a crime report may have a serious and direct lead, while a feature story might have a more narrative and descriptive lead.  

4. Vivid Imagery and Precision:

   A well-written lead paints a picture of the event in just a few words. It avoids ambiguity and unnecessary complexity, ensuring the reader grasps the essence of the story immediately.  


Importance of a News Lead

1. Introduces the Story: 

   - The lead acts as a gatewayto the article, providing the most relevant information upfront.  

   - It gives the reader an overview of the event, helping them decide if they want to read further.  

2. Grabs Attention:

   - A compelling lead instantly hooks the audience and makes them interested in the rest of the story.  

   - In a world of short attention spans, an engaging lead ensures that the news doesn’t go unnoticed.  

3. Summarizes the Story:

   - The lead condenses the story into a single paragraph, covering the core aspects of the event.  

   - By answering 5Ws and 1H, it provides readers with an immediate understanding of what happened.  

4. Sets the Tone:

   - The tone of the lead dictates how the rest of the article will be perceived.  

   - A formal, serious tone is used for hard news, while a lighter, narrative approach might be used for human interest stories.  

5. Informs Quickly:

   - In today’s fast-paced world, most readers don’t have time to read entire articles.  

   - The lead allows them to grasp the most critical information at a glance.  

6. Reflects Journalistic Judgment:

   - A poorly written lead may make the journalist appear unprofessional and affect the credibility of the publication.  

   - The ability to craft a strong lead showcases a journalist’s skill in identifying and prioritizing key facts.  

Examples of News Leads

Example 1 (Crime Report - Hard News Lead)

"Seventeen Maoists, including 11 women, were killed in an anti-Naxal operation conducted by security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Saturday, according to the police. Four security personnel were injured.”

(The Hindu, 30/03/25)

Breaking Down the 5Ws and 1H in this Lead:  

- What: Death of 17 Maoists  

- Who: Security forces  

- When: On Saturday  

- Where: Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district  

- How: An anti-Naxal operation  

This lead is short, factual, and direct, making it an ideal hard news lead. It quickly informs the reader of the most crucial facts while keeping the story engaging.  

Example 2 (Legal Report - Hard News Lead)

"The chargesheet in the suicide abetment case of former Additional District Magistrate, Kannur, K. Naveen Babu, was filed at the Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Saturday evening. Babu was found dead in his government quarters here on October 15 last year." 

(The Hindu, 30/03/25)

Breaking Down the 5Ws and 1H in this Lead:

What: Chargesheet in the suicide abetment case  

Who: Former Additional District Magistrate, Kannur, K. Naveen Babu  

Where: Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court  

When: On Saturday evening  

Why: Babu was found dead in his government quarters on October 15 last year  

This lead provides essential legal information concisely and effectively, ensuring the reader understands the core issue in the case.  

Different types of lead:

1.Direct Address Lead: The Direct Address lead is aimed directly at the readers and makes them relate to the facts in the story. It usually employs the pronouns “you” and “your”.

Example: “You might not get relief from the harsh winds as the weather is going to be the same for the next 10 days or more.”

2.The Circumstantial Lead: This type of lead stresses on the circumstances under which the story occurred. It usually is used in human interest stories. 

Example: A 60–year old retired bank employee raised the alarms when two unidentified persons entered his house with the intention to steal his most valuable and prized positions.

3.The Statement or Quotation Lead: Statement or quotation lead clutches the attention by stating the words said by a person, usually presented in quotation marks. It helps in understanding what exactly the speaker wanted to convey.

Example: “I’d like to jail parents themselves who are so lax their kids are boosting the crime rate!” This statement came from Juvenile Court Judge Warren Jones, in releasing a report on the rapid rise in juvenile crime rate in this city.

4.The Descriptive Lead: Descriptive lead focuses on describing a person, place, or event in vivid detail. They aim on tapping into the five senses of the readers, in order to paint a life -like picture. Descriptive lead is used in both traditional and feature news stories.

Example: Thousands dressed in scarlet and grey T–shirts eagerly shuffled into the football stadium as the university fight song blared.

5.The Summary Lead: Summary lead aims at providing the readers with the major facts about the article in a compacted form. This usually includes what? why? where? when? who? and how of a story. This helps in saving time and efforts of the reader.

Example: Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told Congress yesterday that U.S. economic growth appeared to be slowing, heading off for the moment any need to raise interest rates. Wall Street responded with a cheer, sending stocks and bonds soaring.

6.Contrast Lead: The contrast lead grabs the attention of the audience by presenting extreme ends relating to a situation – tragedy with comedy, past with present, age with youth, beauty with ugly.

Example: Less than 3 years ago, two college friends decided to build a website to exchange their favourite videos. Today Your Tube is owned by Google and gets over 25 million unique visitors to the site each month.

7.Anecdotal Lead: The anecdotal lead uses a short but fitting story to excite the audience. The anecdote presented must help in enhancing the understanding of the article, and it must explain the relevance and connection to that point in the first few sentences.

Example: Sharon Jackson was sitting at the table reading an old magazine when the phone rang. It was a reporter asking to set up an interview to discuss a social media controversy involving Jackson and another young woman. “Sorry,” she said. “I’ve already spoken to several reporters about the incident and do not wish to make any further comments.”

8.Question lead: Question lead seizes the attention by asking the readers opposite query, which ignites curiosity in them, they feel obligated to find answers in the forthcoming text. The question asked in a rhetorical way which cannot be answered by a “yes” or “no”.

Example: “What’s increasing faster than the price of gasoline? Apparently, the cost of court lobbyists.”

9.Parody Lead: A parody lead is a fun, satirical, or humorous take on a news story. It often mimics a famous saying, song, movie line, or cultural reference but with a twist that fits the news. It’s mostly used in feature stories, opinion pieces, or light hearted journalism.

Example: "To be or not to be?" That’s not the question for politicians this election season—it’s whether to switch parties or stay loyal. It plays on Shakespeare’s famous line from Hamlet but twists it to fit politics.

10. Punch lead: The punch lead is a short, sharp, and impactful opening that grabs attention instantly. It often consists of a single sentence or a few words that create a dramatic or shocking effect. Used mainly in crime reports, sports, and hard news, it gets straight to the point with powerful words.

Example: Bang! Three shots. One dead. A city in fear. Short, direct, and dramatic—immediately creates impact.

Single and Multiple Incident lead:

Single Incident lead - A single-incident lead focuses sharply on one pivotal moment within a story, crafting an emotionally compelling and engaging introduction that draws readers in. By zeroing in on a singular event, it creates a strong psychological appeal, encouraging readers to continue. Rather than presenting a broad or multifaceted perspective, it aims for immediacy and impact, delivering the essence of the news in a concise and powerful manner. This type of lead is uncluttered, streamlined, and built around the most critical aspect of the report, ensuring maximum clarity and engagement.

Example - A loud explosion shattered the midnight silence. As Ramesh Gupta opened his door, he saw his entire veranda had collapsed. “If I had stepped out a minute earlier, I might not be alive,” he said, still shivering with fear. This lead focuses on one person and one specific incident, making it dramatic and engaging for the reader.

Multiple incident lead - Multiple incident lead paints a wider picture of the story. Multiple developments taking place in a story are tried to incorporate in this lead.It is like providing a short and crisp summary of the story in the lead itself. It is convenient for readers to know important facts of the story.

Example - A powerful storm wreaked havoc across the city last night. In one neighbourhood, Ramesh Gupta’s veranda collapsed, narrowly missing him. In another part of town, a tree crashed onto a parked car, injuring two people. Meanwhile, power outages left thousands in darkness as emergency crews struggled to respond .This lead combines multiple incidents related to the same event (the storm), giving a broader picture of the situation by providing further information about impact on the city and injuries.

Why do we need variety of Leads

1. Capturing Audience Attention: Different leads cater to different types of readers. A dramatic or emotional lead grabs attention for human-interest stories, while a fact-based lead might work better for hard news. Variety ensures that stories resonate with a broader audience.

2. Adapting to Story Types:

Straight News: A summary lead provides the "who, what, when, where, why, and how" upfront, perfect for urgent or breaking news.

Feature Stories: Narrative or descriptive leads help set a scene, draw readers into a compelling story, or evoke emotions.

Analysis Pieces: Leads that present a question or statistic can intrigue readers and set the stage for in-depth discussion.

3. Maintaining Reader Interest: Using similar leads across stories can make content feel monotonous. Varied leads keep readers engaged and ensure that each story feels fresh and unique.

4. Highlighting Key Angles: A story often has multiple dimensions. Crafting leads in different styles allows journalists to emphasize different aspects—whether it's the human impact, statistical significance, or a controversial element.

5. Tailoring for Platforms: A headline-style lead works well for social media, whereas a more detailed lead suits traditional print or long-form digital articles. Variety enables adaptation across platforms and audiences.

6. Boosting Creativity: Crafting diverse leads encourages journalists to think creatively about how they approach storytelling, making their reporting more impactful. 

Ultimately, variety in leads is a powerful tool for storytelling and it also ensures that stories are not only informative but also engaging and memorable.

How to write a lead:

1.Identify the 5Ws and 1H - Before writing a lead, you should be clear about the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the story, as these questions form the basis of the lead. You should highlight these points in your lead. Research and verification are equally important for writing a lead.

2.Keep it simple - It means the language, words, and sentence structure should be easy to understand for readers. Apart from this, important facts must be clearly mentioned. A lead should be simple because readers want to grasp the story in less time.

3. Be specific and clear - Though most leads require you to summarize content, you must be as precise as possible. If your lead is too long, it will not be useful or engaging.

4. Concision - Readers would like to discover why the narrative is important to them, and they won't wait long to find out. Leads are usually one or two sentences long. They are typically between 25 and 30 words in length and should never exceed 40.

5. Use active voice - Powerful verbs will make your lead more vibrant and engaging. Passive sentences, on the other hand, might seem boring and leave out vital information, such as who or what prompted the action.

6. Don't bury your lead: Your lead is your hook (the thing that makes the reader interested in your story). If you bury it, then their interest might be buried along with it! They shouldn't have to ask themselves what the story is about, you should be telling them upfront.

7. The ABC of journalism - The ABC of journalism are Accuracy, Brevity and Clarity. Though it should be incorporated in the entire story, they are especially important in the lead.

Conclusion: 

It emphasizes the importance of crafting clear, concise, and engaging leads to capture the audience’s attention. A strong lead sets the tone for a news story, providing essential information while encouraging readers to continue. Whether using a summary lead, anecdotal lead, or question lead, journalists must ensure accuracy, relevance, and impact. In today’s fast-paced media landscape, where readers have shorter attention spans, mastering the art of writing compelling leads is crucial. A well-structured lead not only informs but also enhances the credibility and readability of a news article. Ultimately, effective lead writing is a fundamental skill that shapes journalistic storytelling, making news accessible and engaging for all.

Prepared by Rinki and Shivani

Corrections made by Nimi , Falak and Kopal

(Batch 2026)

References:

https://vartikananda.com/studentcontribution/rep-lead-importance-and-types-of-lead/

https://nmu.edu/writingcenter/writing-leads

https://journalistsresource.org/home/lead-basics/

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cts5xc89pOKVFeBWJy_BWG3WDdPXlTgNaApO43tcccg/edit?usp=drivesdk

https://www.easymedia.in/kinds-leads-iii-simple-multiple-point-quotation/

https://www.nimcj.org/blog-detail/understanding-lead-and-its-types-in-journalism.html

Mar 24, 2025

DEHRADUN JAIL RADIO: UTTARAKHAND

Journey of Tinka Jail Radio in Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Doon Jail Radio


On the occasion of Diwali, Tinka Tinka Foundation presents a very special episode on the journey of Dehradun Jail Radio.

In June 2021, Dr. Vartika Nanda, Founder, Tinka Tinka Foundation received a phone call from Pavan Kothari, jailer of District Jail, Dehradun showing his interest to start prison radio in his jail. He mentioned that this idea crossed his mind because of the feature article written by her with the title- “Salakhon mein Rang Bharta Radio” published in Dainik Jagran on 11 April 2021. This state did not have a radio station, and thus he prompted that his jail be chosen, as the pilot project.

The journey started with a simple phone call has now converted into a big canvas. 3 inmates lodged in this jail, Dr. Suchit Narang, Rohit and Arun are the permanent members of the jail radio. Dr. Narang created the signature tune of Tinka Tinka Jail Radio, with which now every Tinka Jail Radio Podcast begins and ends. This special episode traces the journey of the birth and the progress of Doon Jail Radio.

This episode takes you to a lesser-known place. This is released by Tinka Prison Research Cell, established in 2021.

Gratitude for this episode: Uttarakhand: Vimla Gunjyal, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons and Dadhiram, Senior Superintendent, Uttarakhand Prisons and Pavan Kothari, Jailor, District Jail, Dehradun.

Script and Audio Production: Sukhnandan Bindra

Citations and References: Jail Radio: Dehradun (Uttarakhand) 

Podcasts: 

  1. Tinka Tinka Jail Radio (2023, November 12)| Journey of Doon Jail Radio [Audio podcast episode] | Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Vartika Nanda| https://youtu.be/u8jyC0VpD9M?si=F-zLwxqqmi1y511e
  2. Tinka Jail Radio | Episode 65 | Main Hoon Tinka: Signature Tune & Vibes of Change. (2023, May 31). Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtu.be/L19FMAoUcME?si=YQ5kprTlig3yMgEN
  3. Main Hoon Tinka. (2023, May 30). Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtube.com/shorts/26ZbEGgftrc?si=I7JXeqikI22BjgzC
  4. Main Hoon Tinka. (2021, May 30). Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo: 7 voices [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation .https://youtu.be/GiqnssQGx-Q?si=k2rUz-tNPhFlazet
  5. Tinka Tinka Jail Radio | Episode 30| Uttarakhand Day Dehradun Jail. (2021, November 9). Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtu.be/_Bdi_2pp4fA?si=36FiJyxgOWUKsIdT
  6. Tinka Tinka Jail Radio | Episode 28 |Dehradun Radio Training. (2021, September 23) Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtu.be/3lUvEzc8jN0?si=8EG_PYLTA1qBFFi9
  7. Jail Radio in Dehradun District Jail. (2023, May 8). [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. https://youtu.be/q43xw88OR4U?si=YWPBSgwPh7qH_dLa
  8. Tinka Hoon Main: तिनका हूं मैं ।। जेल और यज्ञ। (2023, May 29). [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. Main Hoon Tinka। Tinka Tinka Foundation। Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo 2: 7 voices (youtube.com)
  9. Promo: May 28, 2023: Main Hoon Tinka. (2023, May 28). [Audio podcast episode]. Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Tinka Tinka Foundation. Main Hoon Tinka। Tinka Tinka Foundation। Magic from Dehradun Jail: Promo 1 (youtube.com)

Blog Post: 

  1. Tinka Foundation Day: Voices from Jail: Main Hoon Tinka: Dehradun jail inmates created a special signature tunhttp://vartikananda.blogspot.com/2023/05/2023-31-may-tinka-foundation-day-voices_31.html?m=1
  2. Tinka Hoon Main: An extraordinary musical journey: Part 1 http://vartikananda.blogspot.com/2023/05/tinka-hoon-main-extraordinary-musical.html?m=1

Press:

Websitehttps://tinkatinka.org/jail-radio-uttarakhand/

Mar 19, 2025

RADIO IN PRISON AT J&K RESIDENCE COMMISSION

RADIO IN PRISON AT J&K RESIDENCE COMMISSION 

7th March, 2025

 J&K Resident Commission celebrated International Women's Day with great fervor under the aegis of 'Hello J&K initiative'. The event, themed 'Accelerate Action', highlighted the urgency of advancing gender parity and reinforcing the commitment towards women empowerment.  Speaking on the occasion, Principal Resident Commissioner, Dr. Rashmi Singh, applauded the contributions and resilience of female employees in the Resident Commission office as well as the Directorate, many of whom joined the event virtually. She reiterated the government's dedication towards supporting the womenfolk in all spheres of life. #JammuAndKashmir #women'sday





Enjoyed the august presence of Dr. Manisha Priyam, Professor Education Policy at NEPA and Dr. Aditi Paswan, Assistant Professor at Delhi University.  It was an honour for me to share thoughts about women in prisons and the journey of Radio in Prison, the recently published book by National Book Trust, India.

LINK- https://www.knskashmir.com/jandk-resident-commission-celebrates-international-women-s-day-193205


Mar 10, 2025

10 March, 2025: Sahitya Academy: Timeless Stories

साहित्य अकादेमी की ओर से आयोजित एशिया के सबसे बड़े साहित्योत्सव -FESTIVAL OF LETTERS- का देश की राजधानी नई दिल्ली में आयोजन चल रहा है. साहित्योत्सव के चौथे दिन यानि 10 मार्च को ब्रह्मपुत्र सभागार में  WHAT MAKES TIMLESS STORIES AS TIMELESS TALES 'वह क्या है, जो विशिष्ट कहानियों को कालजयी बनता है?' विषय पर संगोष्ठी हुई. इसकी अध्यक्षता Vivek Shanbhag ने की. वक्ताओं में Ashwani Kumar, Manisha Kulshreshtha, P. Raja, Paramita Sathpathy, Shubha Sarma और Vartika Nanda शामिल रहे.

VN Talk focussed on Tinka Jail Radio, Kissa Khaki Ka and Radio in Prison, published by National Book Trust, India. 







Website Link: Literature – Vartika Nanda