Headlines: Rules...
1.Never use past tense
2.never use "and" substitute commas in for them.
3.keep little words out: to, a, the, etc.
4.colon in place of said and single quotes around dialogue,
5.use alliteration make it fun,
6.no names or abbreviations unless they are easily recognizable,
7. only capitalize the first word in the headline or other proper nouns throughout
8. 3-7 words
Bad example: Three people injured by a tornado
Coppens said, "Journalism rocks".
Good example: Tornado injures three
Coppens: 'Journalism rocks'
Leads: Rules...
1.contain no more than 30 words,
2.single paragraph,
3.summarize the "what" "where" and "when" of a story,
4.first verb should express the main "what" of the story and should be one of the first 7 words,
5.first verb should be an active voice not a passive voice ("A house was destroyed by fire it should be Fire Destroyed a house),
6.If there's a "who" involved in the story the lead should give some indication of who the "Who" is
7. the lead should summarize the "why" and "how" of the story, only if there's room.
8.If information in the lead needs to be attributed, place the attribution at the end of the lead
9. never use quotes unless it's the basis of the story
1.Never use past tense
2.never use "and" substitute commas in for them.
3.keep little words out: to, a, the, etc.
4.colon in place of said and single quotes around dialogue,
5.use alliteration make it fun,
6.no names or abbreviations unless they are easily recognizable,
7. only capitalize the first word in the headline or other proper nouns throughout
8. 3-7 words
Bad example: Three people injured by a tornado
Coppens said, "Journalism rocks".
Good example: Tornado injures three
Coppens: 'Journalism rocks'
Leads: Rules...
1.contain no more than 30 words,
2.single paragraph,
3.summarize the "what" "where" and "when" of a story,
4.first verb should express the main "what" of the story and should be one of the first 7 words,
5.first verb should be an active voice not a passive voice ("A house was destroyed by fire it should be Fire Destroyed a house),
6.If there's a "who" involved in the story the lead should give some indication of who the "Who" is
7. the lead should summarize the "why" and "how" of the story, only if there's room.
8.If information in the lead needs to be attributed, place the attribution at the end of the lead
9. never use quotes unless it's the basis of the story