Headings & Headlines (2024)

Headings

Headlines

  • When writing headlines, less is more

  • Headlines should be no longer than 8 words, 6 words or fewer is ideal

  • Do not include punctuation in headlines (No exclamation points!)

  • Try cutting out unnecessary words such as “a” and “the,” as complete sentences aren’t always necessary

  • If possible, use abbreviations for Universities, Institutions, conferences, and events to shorten headline length

  • Keep in mind: having 1 long headline in a news feed is not the end of the world, but having multiple long headlines is significantly less readable and usable for users

Best Practices

  • Getsto the point
  • Gives a broad overview of information, not too specific

Good Examples

  • “Jeffry Simpson Receives Teaching Award”
  • “Showcasing Our Global Impact: CLA International”
  • "Canoes: Indigeneity, Relocation, and MaintainingTradition"

Rewrite

  • The headline “Psychology Professor John Doe Says Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is Problematic” could be rewritten as“U Psychologist: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Problematic”

Headings & Headlines (2024)

FAQs

Headings & Headlines? ›

The title above a story in a newspaper, magazine ornewsletter is called a headline, or "hed" ("head") in print journalism, or a "heading" in online pages. It has the same function in mass media writing as a lead, to call attention to the story, to snare people in.

What is heading and headline? ›

The title above a story in a newspaper, magazine ornewsletter is called a headline, or "hed" ("head") in print journalism, or a "heading" in online pages. It has the same function in mass media writing as a lead, to call attention to the story, to snare people in.

What are examples of headings? ›

Statement headings are those that include a noun and a verb, forming a complete thought. Newspaper headlines are the model for this form: “Widgets Make Your Job Easier” is an example of a statement heading.

What is the difference between a heading and a header? ›

MLA headings are the titles of individual sections or pages in formal writing; headings are usually written in a larger font and in bold to stand out. An MLA header, also known as the running head, is the short line of text at the top of each page that gives the page number and author's surname (last name).

What are the 3 types of headings? ›

  • Question headings. Question headings are useful if you know what questions your audience will ask. ...
  • Statement headings. Statement headings are the next best choice because they are still very specific. ...
  • Topic headings. ...
  • Focus on clarity over brevity.

What is an example of headline in a sentence? ›

Examples of headline in a Sentence

Noun The story of his arrest appeared beneath the headline “Caught!”. She only had time to scan the headlines before she had to rush out the door. Surprising developments have kept the murder investigation in the headlines for several weeks.

What's a catchy headline? ›

A catchy title is the headline of a content article that contains elements to persuade readers to read it. Writing an effective headline can be an essential element of your content. A catchy title can bring a customer to your article by explaining what's in it or what value the reader can get from clicking on it.

What is a best headline? ›

The job of the headline is to indicate the benefit and to make a promise to the visitor that it's worth it. And to do it in less than a second. The more specific the benefit, the more likely the visitor is to click. Great headlines make specific promises.

What are the three types of headlines? ›

19 types of headlines
  • Direct headline. A direct headline clearly states the purpose of an article. ...
  • Indirect headline. An indirect headline takes a subtle approach by hinting at the main point of an article. ...
  • News headlines. ...
  • How-to headline. ...
  • Question headline. ...
  • Command headline. ...
  • The "reason why" headline. ...
  • Emotional headline.
Dec 28, 2022

What are proper headings? ›

The main goal of a heading is to inform the reader of what content they can find in that section, so make your headings as descriptive as possible. The examples below show one non-descriptive heading and three descriptive headings that provide the reader with much more information.

What is the best way to write headings? ›

Use words that accurately describe the content. Don't use empty words or phrases (for example, 'more' or 'related information'). Only include information in the section that is relevant to the heading. If the information isn't relevant, move it or rewrite the heading.

What is the rule for headings? ›

Using Headings

Use headings hierarchically , with the <h1> representing the most important idea on the page, and sub-sections organized with <h2> level headings. Those sub-sections can themselves be divided with <h3> level headings, and so on. It is best to plan out a heading structure before composing a page.

What goes in a heading? ›

A: A heading is a short phrase that indicates what the next section of your essay, report or thesis is all about. Headings are used to organise the presentation of your argument and lead the reader through the paper. The reader should be able to preview what your paper covers—your argument—by reading just the headings.

What is a header and example? ›

A header is text that is placed at the top of a page, while a footer is placed at the bottom, or foot, of a page. Typically these areas are used for inserting document information, such as the name of the document, the chapter heading, page numbers, creation date and the like.

What is a header supposed to say? ›

What is the correct MLA heading? The correct MLA heading is found on the first page of your paper. It includes your name, instructor, course, and date. MLA format also has a running header with the page number and your last name.

What does heading mean? ›

A heading is a word, phrase, or sentence at the beginning of a written passage that explains what it's about. A heading is very similar to a title.

What do you write in a heading? ›

A: A heading is a short phrase that indicates what the next section of your essay, report or thesis is all about. Headings are used to organise the presentation of your argument and lead the reader through the paper. The reader should be able to preview what your paper covers—your argument—by reading just the headings.

Is a heading the same as a title? ›

Although heading and titles are similar, they are distinct: A title leads the entire document and captures its content in one or two phrases; a heading leads only a chapter or section and captures only the content of that chapter or section. Read more in our article on writing good titles in academic writing.

What is a heading in a book example? ›

Every book will have at least one heading: the book title. The title is the ultimate heading in a book. Most books also have other headings, known as chapter titles. Even if the chapter title is nothing more than a number, it's still considered a heading, meaning it tells the reader some useful information.

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