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Gary Mariano DLSU Department of Communication February 2004 | |
| The headline should not be a label. |
Label FPJ's citizenship case
Make it descriptive |
| Each headline should have a verb. |
Label The real Eddie
Descriptive |
| Use the active voice. |
Passive FPJ supporter kidnaped
Active |
| Do not start a headline with a verb. It will sound like a command |
Sounds imperative Build schools, hire teachers in Lanao
More accurate |
| The headline for a story that has happened is written in the present tense. |
Historical present tense Police spray FPJ rallyists
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| For a future-tense story, use the infinitive mood. |
Label Erap to support FPJ all the way |
| Each deck should offer new information. |
Freshmen sign waivers DLSU bans mobiles |
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Do not break from one line to the next a. A preposition from its object |
Broken Eddie Gil rapped over unpaid campaign bills
Better |
| b. Parts of the same verb |
Broken Profs urged to lend expertise
Better |
| c. Parts of the same name |
Broken Lacson starts Metro Manila campaign
Better |
| d. Modifiers from noun or verb |
Broken China seeks new deal on Spratlys
Better |
| Avoid using too many abbreviations. |
Alphabet soup POC to probe BAP, BAPI dispute
Simpler |
| Do not write the headline as a question. It is suggestive. |
Intriguing FPJ has 2 more kids?
Better |
| Do not use all-caps, exclamation points. |
Difficult to read. DLSU BUYS ATENEO!
Use bigger type. |
| You may omit the articles A, AN, THE. Use comma instead of AND, OR. |
Manila rejects jai-alai, lotto |