Activity 1: Characteristics of good headlines



Guest-worker plan proposed:

This headline sounds like the guest-worker had a plan or that a plan was proposed for the guest-worker.


Texas police want bullet lodged in teenager's head:

Sounds like the police want to shoot teenagers in the head.


The (London) Independent 12.23.06:

The brackets are not needed.

This sounds like a title. Does not explain what story is about.

The date should be written out. It should read Dec. 23, 2006.


Fifth Avenue clogged with police shooting protesters:

Sounds like police are shooting people.


The Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) 12.17.06:

Remove the brackets and make the headline relevant to what the story is about.

Again write out date. It should read Dec. 17, 2006.


U.S. pilots in Brazil crash back at home:

Sounds like the pilots survived Brazil only to crash when they returned home.


The Press of Atlantic City 12.10.06:

Does nothing to tell what the story is about.

Again write out date. It should read Dec. 10, 2006.


Will hanging help Bush?…:

If Bush wishes to die then certainly hanging will help.