NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
SHORT
TITLES
ABOVE
NEWSPAPER
REPORTS
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
Headline language can be very
difficult to understand;
it is a special style
with special vocabulary
and grammar.
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
Special vocabulary:
Alert = alarm, warning
“Flood alert on east coast”
Appear = appear in court, accused of crime
“MP to appear on drugs charge”
Axe = Abolish, close down
“Country bus services axed
Back = support
“ America backs British peace move”
Bar= refuse/refusal to allow entry
“Hotel bars football hooligans
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
Special vocabulary (2)
Bid= attempt
“Japanese women in new Everest bid”
Block = attempt to stop
Blow= unexpected setback
Bolster=encourage
Call= demand
Chop= end. abolishment
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
Special vocabulary (3)
dash,, deadlock, drive,, drop, edge, face, firm,
foil, gag, gaol (not “jail”),go-ahead, grip, hail,
hike, hitch, jobless, landslide, lash, Lords, mar,
mission, move, nail, odds, out to, pact, pay,
plant, poll, press, pull out, quake ,quiz,
rampage rock, riddle, scare, slate, soar, storm,
stun, threat, toll, urge, wed.

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
Abbreviations, common usage:
PM, UK, US, VAT, UN, TORY, PC, LORDS, MP COMMONS.
 Also: Currently well known names and ideas: e.g.
Obama, Thatcher, Blair, Browne, security, Asange,
Wikileaks etc
(These names and ideas will disappear as headline
shorthand as time passes)
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

Headlines are not always complete sentences.
Many headlines consist of noun phrases with
no verb.
MORE WAGE CUTS; HOLIDAY HOTEL
DEATH;
EXETER MANS DOUBLE MARRIAGE
BID.
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR
Headlines often contain strings of three, four or
more nouns.
FURNITURE FACTORY PAY CUT ROW
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

Headlines often leave out articles and the verb
be.
SHAKESPEARE PLAY IMMORAL SAYS
HEADMASTER ;
SCHOOLBOY WALKS IN SPACE
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

In headlines, simple tenses are often used
instead of progressive or perfect forms. The
simple present is used for both present and
past events.
 BLIND
GIRL CLIMBS EVEREST (=. -.. has
climbed...)
 STUDENTS
FIGHT FOR COURSE
CHANGES (=... are fighting)
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

The present progressive is used to talk about
changes. Be is usually dropped.
BRITAIN GETTING WARMER, SAY
SCIENTISTS TRADE FIGURES
IMPROVING
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

Many headline words are used as both nouns
and verbs, and nouns are often used to modify
other nouns
US CUTS AID TO THIRD WORLD (= The US
reduces its help . .
CUTS is a verb, AID is a noun)
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

Headlines often use infinitives to refer to the future.
PM TO VISIT AUSTRALIA
HOSPITALS TO TAKE FEWER PATIENTS

For is also used to refer to future movements or plans
TROOPS FOR GLASGOW? (= Are soldiers going to
be sent to Glasgow?)
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

Auxiliary verbs are usually dropped from passive structures.
MURDER HUNT: MAN HELD (= ... a man is being held by
police.)
SIX KILLED IN EXPLOSION (= Six people have been killed...)

Note that forms like HELD, ATTACKED are usually past participles with passive meanings
AID ROW: PRESIDENT ATTACKED (= ... the President has
been attacked.)
AID ROW: PRESIDENT ATTACKS CRITICS the President has attacked her critics.)
Compare:
BOY FOUND SAFE (= The missing boy has been found safe; he is safe.) BOY FINDS SAFE (= A boy has
found a safe.)
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

Note that forms like HELD, ATTACKED are usually
past participles with passive meanings
AID ROW: PRESIDENT ATTACKED
(= ... the President has been attacked.)
AID ROW: PRESIDENT ATTACKS CRITICS (…the
President has attacked her critics.)
BOY FOUND SAFE
(= The missing boy has been found safe; he is safe.)
BOY FINDS SAFE
(= A boy has found a safe.)
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

As and in are often used instead of longer
connecting expressions.
HOSPITAL BOSS AXED AS PATIENTS DIE
( ... because patients die.)
FOOTBALL MANAGER IN CAR CRASH
NEWSPAPER HEADLINES GRAMMAR

A colon (:) is often used to separate the subject
of a headline from what is said about it.
STRIKES: PM TO ACT MOTORWAY
CRASH: DEATH TOLL RISES