Types of Newspaper Headlines

TYPES OF NEWSPAPER
HEADLINES
Functional
Mechanical Creative
Mechanical
headlines in newspapers
refer to the standardized,
often formulaic headlines
used to ensure consistency
and efficiency in the
production process. These
headlines are typically
straightforward and factual,
designed to convey the
essential information quickly
and clearly. They are often
used in sections like
classifieds, obituaries, or
routine news reports where
the focus is on delivering
information rather than
grabbing attention with
creative or sensational
language.
For example, a mechanical
headline might read:
“City Council Approves
New Budget”
“Local School Hosts
Annual Science Fair”
“Weather Forecast: Rain
Expected Tomorrow”
These headlines are crafted
to be clear and concise,
ensuring that readers can
easily understand the main
point of the article at a
glance.
Creative headlines in newspapers
are designed to grab the reader’s
attention and entice them to read the full
article. These headlines often use clever
wordplay, puns, alliteration, or intriguing
questions to stand out. Here are some
examples and techniques used in creative
headlines:
1. Wordplay and Puns:
o “Local High School’s New Principal
is a Real ‘Class Act’”
o “Bee Population Buzzing Back to
Life”
2. Alliteration:
o “Fantastic Fall Festival Fun for
Families”
o “Summer Sizzles with Spectacular
Sunsets”
3. Intriguing Questions:
o “Can This New Diet Really Help You
Lose 10 Pounds in a Week?”
o “What Happens When You Mix
Science and Magic?”
4. Shocking or Surprising Statements:
o “You Won’t Believe What This 10-
Year-Old Invented”
o “The Secret to Happiness? It’s Not
What You Think”
5. Numbers and Lists:
o “10 Ways to Save Money on Your
Next Vacation”
o “5 Secrets to a Healthier Lifestyle”
Structural
Flush right Flush left
Banner Crossline Waistline
Square Pyramid
Stepline
Skyline Homing
Flag Indent
1. 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.
2. A flush right headline is a
type of text alignment
where the headline is
aligned along the right-
hand side of the margin
or gutter. This style is
often used for short
pieces of content such as
headlines, subheadings,
chapter titles, or pull
quotes. It can also be
suitable for languages
that read from right to
left, as it follows the
natural reading order.
3. Banner Headlines:
o These are large, bold
headlines that span the
entire width of the
page, typically used for
major news stories or
breaking news. They are
designed to grab the
reader’s attention
immediately.
4. Crossline Headlines:
a. These headlines run
across the entire width
of the page or column,
similar to banner
headlines but usually
smaller in size. They are
often used to separate
sections or to provide a
summary of the content
below1.
6. Waistline Headlines:
o Also known as roller
headlines, these are
placed in the middle of
the page, often used to
highlight important
stories or
features. They can be
visually striking and
help to break up the
layout of the page.
7. Square Stepline
Headlines:
oThese headlines are
arranged in a stepped
or staggered format,
creating a visual effect
that resembles steps.
Each line of the
headline is indented
slightly more than the
previous one, giving it
a unique and eye-
catching appearance.
This style is often used
to highlight special
features or important
stories.
8. Pyramid Headlines:
oPyramid headlines are
structured in a way
that the most
important information
is at the top, with
subsequent lines
containing less critical
details. This format is
similar to the inverted
pyramid style used in
news writing, where
the essential facts are
presented first,
followed by additional
information. The visual
layout of the headline
can resemble a
pyramid, with the
widest part at the top
and narrowing down.
9. Flag Headlines:
o Also known as the masthead, the
flag is the name of the
newspaper displayed on the
front page. It is usually placed at
the top and includes the
newspaper’s name, logo, and
sometimes the date and edition
number. The flag is designed to
be easily recognizable and
consistent across all issues.
10. Skyline Headlines:
oA skyline is an information panel
on the front page that tells
readers about other stories
inside the paper. It is typically
placed above the masthead and
is used to highlight important
articles or sections, enticing
readers to explore further.
11. A hanging indent
headline in a newspaper
is a type of headline
where the first line starts
at the left margin, and all
subsequent lines are
indented. This style
creates a visually distinct
and organized look,
making it easier for
readers to identify and
follow the headline.While
hanging indents are more
commonly used in
reference lists and
bibliographies, they can
also be applied to
headlines to create a
unique and eye-catching
layout. This format is
particularly useful for
longer headlines, as it
helps to break up the text
and improve readability..
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Types of Newspaper Headlines

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TYPES OF NEWSPAPER

Flush right Flush left

Banner Crossline Waistline

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