HEADLINES IN NEWSPAPERS

The journalists give such headlines to their writings as may attract the attention of the
readers.
Some of the language features used in the headlines are the following:
(1) Omission of articles, personal pronouns, this/that (where no
serious ambiguity results):
• P.M.visits flood zone : The Prime Minister has visited a/the flood zone.
• Rains throw life out of gear : The rains have thrown life out of gear.
(2) Reduced verb forms
Past participle form used for passive form :
• Villagers terrorized by goondas : Villagers have been terrorized by
goondas.
• 30,000 traffic offenders booked : 30,000 traffic offenders have been
booked.
• Gang of cheats held :A/The gang of cheats has been held.
(b) Infinitive form used for future :
• School Council to ban video games : School Council will ban video
games.
• Laloo Prasad Yadav to be sworn in C.M today :Laloo Prasad Yadav is to
be sworn in as Chief Minister today.
• Pvt. Airlines to fly on subsidiary routes : Private airlines will fly on
subsidiary routes.
© Simple present form used for present perfect :
• A boom in tourist sector : There has been a big increase in tourist sector.
• Counting of votes begins today : Counting of votes has begun today.
• Unfettered growth makes Delhi choke : Unfettered growth has made Delhi
choke.
(c) Continuous participle form used for present :
• In Bihar Janta Dal gaining in polls :In Bihar Janta Dal is gaining in polls.
• Students preparing for exams : The student s are preparing for their
examinations.
(3) Acronyms and abbreviations
• Camel fest a big draw : Camel festival is/was a big draw (a great
attraction).
• Veg live healthier life : The vegetarians live a healthier life:
• Revival plans for UNO : There is a revival plan for the United Nations
organization.
Note : an acronym is a word made up of the initial letters of other words.
Examples : UNO, LASER, UNESCO.
 (4) Space-saving punctuation:
- Factory closes – 10000 jobless
- Unexpected polls outcome: Mishra
- Upper classes hindering social reform: K.R.Narayanan
- Local to get priority in jobs: P.M
- Foul! Foul! Cry lottery addicts (protest against ban on
lotteries)
(5) Miscellaneous:
- Delhi (is) most accident – prone
- Traffic discipline drive (is0 to be kept up
- Bill (is being piloted) to ban smoking in public places
- Beauty sans (without) cruelty
- Flood relief work (is) in full swing
- 250 die (have died) in Mecca stampede
- 10 of Ghaziabad family murdered (have been murdered)
- Pak bid to smuggle arms foiled (An/The attempt of
Pakistan to smuggle arms into India has been checked/nullified)
(6) Short words for to save space :
aide - assistant
cut - reduce, reduction
rap - reprimand
probe - investigate
spur - move ahead
weigh - consider

Mr. Lali Mathew M.A.(Eng.Litt) M.Ed.

Sheesh Mahal Apartment
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