Headlines In Newspapers

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)

(2)

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.

•

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.

Reduced verb forms Past participle form used for passive form : • •

(b)

Infinitive form used for future : • • •

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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 : • • •

(c)

(3)

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. 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.

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:

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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 cut rap probe spur weigh

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assistant reduce, reduction reprimand investigate move ahead consider

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