We've all heard the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover". And yet we all do it. An attractive cover immediately catches our eye and pulls us in; an unattractive one turns us off. The same is true of headlines. We are attracted to captions that are humorous, witty or sensational; we tend to ignore captions that are boring or run of the mill.
The headline is one of the most important parts of a feature article: it is the first thing the reader sees, it's what the reader recalls, it gives the reader an idea of the article's content, and it gives the writer the best opportunity to market the article.
According to David Aston, here are some ways to write a headline:
1. Use a how to headline
ex. "How to Tie a Tie in 5 Easy Steps", Esquire (http://www.esquire.com/style/advice/a25665/how-to-tie-a-tie-easy/)
2. Identify and Solve a Problem
ex. "To Fall in Love with Anybody, Do This", New York Times
(http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/fashion/modern-love-to-fall-in-love-with-anyone-do-this.html?_r=0)
3. Make a Statement
ex. "Ambush of Policemen Triggers Manhunt in Racially Tense Ferguson", Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/12/us-usa-missouri-shooting-protest-idUSKBN0M80CJ20150312)
4. Strike a Note of Controversy
ex. "Map of Shame; Do Canadians have access to world class cancer treatments? Only if you live in the right province", Reader's Digest (http://www.readersdigest.ca/health/healthy-living/map-shame/#GDMdvGCWAxkk1Yfs.97)
5. Pose a Question
ex. "What's Wrong with the Blurred Lines Copyright Ruling?", New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/arts/music/whats-wrong-with-the-blurred-lines-copyright-ruling.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20150312
6. Offer an Explanation
ex. "Help from the Hit Man: Music producer David Foster does more than make gold records; he fosters a charitable organization dear to many Canadians' hearts", Reader's Digest
7. Use intrigue
ex. "Merchant of Murder: Civil Servant Rick Mofina Kills people -- in his mind, as a crime fiction writer", Reader's Digest
8. Finality (ultimate, best, only)
ex. The 25 Best Diet Tips of All Time, Prevention (http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/diets/25-best-weight-loss-tips-ever)
9. make it unusual
ex. "Wall Street Lays Egg", Variety, Black Monday, 1929
(http://fineartamerica.com/featured/wall-street-lays-an-egg-famous-everett.html)
10. make it sensationalistic
ex. "Headless Body in Topless Bar", New York Post (http://nypost.com/2010/02/22/83-killer-in-denial/)
11. use a simile or metaphor
ex. "Coffee So Fresh You'll Want to Slap It", Reader's Digest
12. refer to an historic event
ex. "Gold Rush: Can Canadian Olympic Athletes Hope to Score Some Heavy Metal?", Reader's Digest (http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/10-greatest-summer-olympic-games#5hPQ00BD17SjgZLx.97)
Showing posts with label headline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label headline. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 March 2015
Friday, 6 March 2015
How to Write a Feature Newspaper Article
Feature articles are windows into the human experience, giving more detail and description than a hard news story, which typically relies on the "inverted pyramid" style of writing. Features focus on an event or an individual, giving the reader a chance to more fully understand some interesting dimension of the world. (http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Feature-Article)
The purpose of a feature article is to inform, entertain and persuade the reader. Feature articles are composed of five different components. They are:
Headline
Compose a catchy, to the point headline which attracts the reader's attention. Remember, if the headline is boring, chances are the reader won't want to read any further. For more information about catchy headlines, read http://alinefromlinda.blogspot.ca/2015/02/ten-tips-to-writing-irresistibly.html.
Byline
Insert the writer's name here.
Lede/Lead
This is the preview of the story. It helps the reader decide whether or not to read the article. Try to insert a hook here to draw the reader in. The lede sets the writer's tone and establishes a relationship between the writer and the reader.
Story
This is where the writer includes relevant facts from his or her research. Quotes from interviews and experts should be inserted here. Anecdotes and stories are also valuable, helping to maintain the reader's interest. Names, dates and places should be identified here. Any supporting information should follow including photos, tables, diagrams and graphs.
Conclusion
The purpose of the conclusion is to leave a lasting impression. Remind the reader of the main idea. Suggest a course of action. Encourage a change of opinion. Bring the article full circle by referring back to the introduction.
Tips
Here are some suggested tips to follow when preparing, researching and writing your feature.
1. use tight writing; features can be as short as 500 words, but some are as long as 1500 or 2000
2. show, don't tell
3. use strong verbs and nouns; use adjectives sparingly
4. use identifiable, reliable sources; if sources are weak, it's better not to use them
5. write about a well defined topic
6. avoid the passive voice; use the active voice whenever possible
7. vary sentence length
8. use an informal tone or the first person to make it more personal
9. facts validate the writer's view
10. exaggeration helps a humorous article
11. use rhetorical questions to draw the reader in
12. sprinkle the article with imagery to engage the reader's imagination
13. include direct quotes to personalize the topic
14. don't forget to proofread; consult The Elements of Style by Strunk & White at www.columbia.edu/acis/bartleby/strunk
14. don't forget to proofread; consult The Elements of Style by Strunk & White at www.columbia.edu/acis/bartleby/strunk
For a feature article scaffold, visit http://stage6.pbworks.com/f/How+To+Write+A+Great+Feature+Article.pdf.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)