Seminar 2

Headlines
1. Features of English news headlines
a) syntactic features
Syntactic features refer to the way words are arranged in a headline. Some common syntactic features of
English news headlines include:
Use of active voice
Use of present tense
Use of specific determiners (e.g. "the" instead of "a")
Use of short, concise phrases
Use of subject-verb-object word order
Omission of articles and auxiliary verbs
English news articles often follow a particular syntactic structure and feature certain grammatical
constructions. Some common syntactic features of English news include:

Headlines: News headlines often use short, attention-grabbing phrases that convey the main idea of the
article. They may omit articles, conjunctions, and other function words to save space and make the headline
more concise.

Inverted pyramid structure: News articles typically follow an inverted pyramid structure, where the most
important information is presented first, followed by supporting details and background information. This
structure allows readers to quickly grasp the main points of the story and decide whether to continue
reading.

Third-person point of view: News articles are typically written in the third-person point of view, which
creates a sense of objectivity and detachment. This helps to ensure that the article is not biased and allows
readers to form their own opinions based on the facts presented.

Active voice: News articles often use the active voice, which is more concise and direct than the passive
voice. This allows the writer to convey information more efficiently and keep the reader engaged.

Simple and direct sentences: News articles use simple and direct sentences that are easy to understand.
This helps to ensure that the article can be read and comprehended quickly, even by readers who may not be
fluent in English.

Quotes and attribution: News articles often include quotes from sources to add credibility and provide
additional perspective. These quotes are usually attributed to the speaker, either with a direct quote or by
indicating the source of the information.

Noun phrases: News articles often use noun phrases to convey information efficiently. These phrases may
include several nouns strung together, as well as modifiers such as adjectives and prepositional phrases.
In addition to the syntactic features mentioned above, English news also commonly employs the use of
specific grammatical constructions and vocabulary choices to enhance the clarity and impact of the article.
Some of these include:

Present tense: News articles often use the present tense to describe ongoing events or to give a sense of
immediacy to the story. This creates a sense of urgency and helps to engage the reader.

Modals: Modals, such as "should," "could," and "must," are often used in news articles to express
obligation, possibility, or advice. This can help to add depth and complexity to the article, as well as provide
guidance or insight to the reader.
Comparative and superlative forms: Comparisons are often used in news articles to help readers
understand the relative significance of an event or development. Superlative forms, such as "biggest" or
"most important," can also be used to emphasize the significance of a particular event or development.

Specificity: News articles often use specific numbers, dates, and names to add detail and credibility to the
story. This can help readers better understand the context and significance of the event or development being
reported on.

Jargon: Depending on the subject matter, news articles may use jargon or technical terms to convey
specialized information. This can help to enhance the accuracy and precision of the reporting, but can also
make the article more difficult to understand for readers who are not familiar with the specific terminology.

Overall, the goal of English news syntax is to convey information quickly, clearly, and objectively to the
reader.
b) lexical features
English news headlines have a distinctive set of lexical features that make them attention-grabbing and
informative. Some of these features include:
Conciseness: Headlines are typically brief, using only a few words to convey the main idea of the story.
This requires the use of specific words and phrases that can capture the reader's attention and give them a
sense of what the article is about.
Clarity: Headlines must be clear and unambiguous, providing readers with a clear understanding of what the
article is about. This often involves the use of specific nouns, verbs, and adjectives that accurately describe
the topic or event being reported on.
Sensationalism: In some cases, headlines may use sensational language or exaggeration to grab the reader's
attention. This can include the use of hyperbole, provocative words, or emotive language that creates a sense
of urgency or excitement.
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of sounds at the beginning of words, and is often used in headlines
to create a catchy and memorable phrase. For example, "Breaking News: Bold Bandits Blast Bank" uses
alliteration to create a memorable and attention-grabbing headline.
Wordplay: Headlines may use puns or other forms of wordplay to create a clever or humorous headline.
This can be especially effective when reporting on lighter news stories or human interest pieces.
Specificity: Headlines may include specific details, such as numbers or names, to give readers a better sense
of what the article is about. For example, "Mayor announces $5 million grant for new community center"
provides specific details that help to make the headline more informative.
Overall, the lexical features of English news headlines are designed to be eye-catching and informative,
providing readers with a clear sense of what the article is about while also engaging and intriguing them.

2. Grammar of English news headlines

The grammar of headlines is often non-standard and they can be difficult to read. The main features of the
grammar of headlines are the use of a series of nouns and the use of ellipsis (leaving out words which are
not necessary). We often leave out articles (a/an, the) and verbs (especially the verb to be):

Headlines often use the present simple, even where the report refers to a past event. This is done to make the
news seem more dramatic and immediate:
1. Use present simple tense for past events
The present tense (it does) is quick and current, and helps emphasise the action happening, rather than its
completion.

 Parliament confirms new stray dog policy

 Lion escapes zoo

If we want to demonstrate the result of an action, or that something was completed, we can use perfect
tenses (e.g. it has done / it had done), and for changing events, the present continuous may be used (e.g. it is
doing). However, these tenses are often shown by using participles alone (e.g. done / doing).

 Lion recaptured earlier today.

 Parliament confirming new policies every day.

2. Leave out auxiliary verbs

With perfect (e.g. has done), progressive (e.g. is doing) and passive structures (e.g. is done), auxiliary verbs
are not necessary (e.g. have, is). This makes some headlines appear to be in the past tense, when actually the
headlines use past participles, or particles, not the past simple. Similarly, changing events are represented by
the present participle on its own.

 New policy decided by Parliament (New policy has been decided by Parliament)
 Lion escapes zoo – ten killed (ten people have been killed / were killed)
 Four stranded in sudden flood (four people have been stranded / were stranded)
 Temperatures rising as climate changes (temperatures are rising)

3. Use infinitives for future events

Using the infinitive (e.g. to do), a future time is not always necessary to demonstrate the future tense in
headlines (and likewise, other future tense verbs are not needed).

 Parliament to decide new policy tomorrow (Parliament is to decide / will decide a new policy
tomorrow)
 President to visit France for further talks (President is to visit / is going to visit France for further
talks later this week)

4. Leave out articles (a, an, the)

 Prime Minister hikes Alps for charity (The Prime Minister hiked the Alps)
 Man releases rabid dog in park (A man released a rabid dog in a park)

5. Leave out “to be”

 Residents unhappy about new road (Residents are unhappy…)
 Family of murder victim satisfied with court decision (Family of murder victim is satisfied…)

6. Leave out “to say”

 Mr Jones: “They’re not taking my house!”
 Bush on Iraqi invasion: “This aggression will not stand.”
Reported speech is usually represented by a colon, or a hyphen, with the subject introduced with ‘on…’.
This includes leaving out other verbs such as comment, tell, argue, announce, shout – unless the act of
speaking needs emphasising, for instance to demonstrate a promise or official policy.

 Warlord decrees “Peace by Spring.”

7. Replace conjunctions with punctuation

 Police arrest serial killer – close case on abductions
 Fire in bakery: hundreds dead

As with reporting speech, commas, colons, semi-colons, hyphens and so on can replace all conjunctions, or
some joining verbs, to join clauses. Commas may also be used to join nouns (more common in American
English).

 Man kills 5, self

8. Use figures for numbers

 9 dead in glue catastrophe
 7 days to Christmas – shoppers go mad

As you can see, the grammar rules for newspaper headlines can lead to ambiguous headlines, as many
words are implied and not written. You may also see different vocabulary in headlines, with less common,
but concise, verbs, such as bid, vow and spark. There are many additional style issues that certain
newspapers use, for instance the capitalisation of every word, or joining conjunctions with commas instead
of conjunctions.

3. Vocabulary of English news headlines

4. Idioms in English news headlines
5. Punctuation in English News Headlines

The punctuation marks perform two key functions in headlines: one, they bring clarity; and two, they save
space. Here is how you should use punctuation marks in headlines:

# Full stop
Full stops should be used sparingly in headlines. There are two reasons for this:

1. Each full stop means loss of headline space. This really hurts when your headline overshoots the
column width by half or one letter space, and you are forced to write a fresh headline.

2. Full stops look ungainly in headlines. Imagine a newspaper page where every headline ends with a full
stop. Wouldn’t such a page be a visual eyesore?

Some newspaper styles require that abbreviations must carry full stops. You don’t have an option in such
cases. Otherwise, say no to full stops as far as possible.

# Comma
The humble comma is one of the most important punctuation marks when it comes to writing headlines. It is
used for the following two reasons:

1. Save space: Comma is a great space saver. You can replace the conjunction “and” in most headlines with
comma.
Manmohan and Sonia to visit Muzzaffarnagar
Manmohan, Sonia to visit Muzzaffarnagar

2. Separate news points: Comma is very useful in separating two news points in the headline.

Congress favours early polls, BJP against it

# Colons
A colon is used in place of the attributive verb as it saves space.

Centre eager to hold polls in March, asserts Chauhan

Centre eager to hold polls in March: Chauhan

# Semi-colons
Semi-colons are very effective in separating two clauses.

Shinde inducted as home minister; Tewari gets cabinet rank

# Hyphen
The hyphen should be used whenever an adjectival phrase is used in the headline.

5–year–old girl fights wild dog, saves brother

# Exclamation mark
The exclamation marks should be used sparingly in headlines. They should be used only when there is
strong irony in a story or an unexpected twist.

Spiderman is scared of heights!

They can also be used for headlining funny stories, like the one where two calves were married in an Orissa
village.

Moo! Bovine couple tie nuptial knot in style

# Quotation marks
You have two options when it comes to using quotation marks. You can use the single quote mark or the
double quote mark. Both are correct. However, most newspapers prefer to use the single quote mark because
it saves space, and looks visually more appealing.

‘I have been framed’

# Apostrophes
The use of apostrophe should be limited in headlines. It should be used when a word is used in the
possessive case.

Actor’s car found in abandoned mine

 Parentheses: Parentheses are rarely used in headlines, but may be used to provide additional information
or clarification.

 Ellipses: Ellipses may be used to indicate that part of a quote or statement has been omitted, or to create
suspense or intrigue.
 4. Idioms in English news headlines

Idioms are commonly used in news headlines to add flair, evoke emotions, and
succinctly convey complex concepts or situations. They are used to make headlines
more attention-grabbing and memorable, and to provide a shorthand way of
expressing nuanced ideas. Here are some specific features of idioms in news
headlines:

1. Frequency: Idioms are used regularly in news headlines to make them more engaging
and memorable. News writers often rely on idioms as a creative and concise way to
convey information in a way that captures readers' attention.
2. Expressiveness: Idioms are used in news headlines to add emotional or dramatic
impact. They can evoke strong feelings or create vivid imagery, making the headlines
more compelling and memorable to readers.
3. Conciseness: Idioms allow news writers to convey complex ideas in a succinct
manner. They often provide a shorthand way of expressing a concept that may
require more words to explain otherwise, making headlines concise and impactful.
4. Familiarity: Idioms used in news headlines are typically well-known and widely
understood by the target audience. This familiarity allows news writers to convey
meaning quickly without needing to explain the idiom's definition, making the
headlines more accessible to readers.
5. Contextual relevance: Idioms used in news headlines are usually carefully chosen to
be relevant to the topic or subject matter of the news story. They are often used to
provide a figurative or symbolic representation of the news story, helping to create a
vivid and memorable association in readers' minds.
6. Cultural references: Idioms in news headlines may also reference specific cultural,
historical, or regional elements to resonate with the target audience. This can add
depth and richness to the headlines, and create a sense of connection with readers
who share the same cultural background or experiences.
7. Catchiness: Idioms used in news headlines are often chosen for their catchiness or
wordplay. They can create a rhythmic or memorable quality that makes the headlines
more attention-grabbing and shareable, especially in the era of social media where
headlines need to compete for readers' attention.
8. Metaphorical value: Idioms are often used in news headlines because they provide a
metaphorical or symbolic representation of the news story, helping to convey the
essence of the story in a memorable and impactful way.

Overall, idioms are a common and effective tool used in news headlines to make them
more expressive, concise, memorable, and engaging. They add depth, creativity, and
emotional impact to news headlines, making them an important feature of journalistic
language.

Here are a few more examples of English idioms commonly used in news headlines, along with their
meanings:

11. "Throw caution to the wind: Investors take risks in volatile market."

 Meaning: Investors are taking risks without being overly cautious in a highly unpredictable or
volatile market.
 12. "In the pipeline: New infrastructure projects planned for the city."

 Meaning: There are upcoming plans for new infrastructure projects in the city that are currently in
progress or being considered.

13. "Skeletons in the closet: Scandalous revelations about public figure's past."

 Meaning: Shocking or embarrassing information about a public figure's past has come to light.

14. "On thin ice: Diplomatic relations strained after diplomatic faux pas."

 Meaning: Diplomatic relations have become strained or precarious due to a diplomatic mistake or
misstep.

15. "Break new ground: Scientists make groundbreaking discovery in cancer research."

 Meaning: Scientists have made a significant and pioneering discovery in the field of cancer research.

16. "In the crosshairs: Government cracks down on tax evasion."

 Meaning: The government is actively targeting and taking action against tax evasion or fraudulent
tax practices.

17. "Storm brewing: Tensions rise between neighboring countries."

 Meaning: Tensions are escalating or increasing between neighboring countries, indicating a potential
conflict or dispute.

18. "Cut through the red tape: Government streamlines regulations to boost economic growth."

 Meaning: The government is simplifying or reducing bureaucratic regulations in order to promote

economic growth and development.

19. "Riding the wave: Startup enjoys rapid success in tech industry."

 Meaning: A startup is experiencing rapid growth and success in the competitive tech industry.

20. "All hands on deck: Emergency response teams mobilize after natural disaster."

 Meaning: Emergency response teams are actively mobilizing and working together to address the
aftermath of a natural disaster.

These idioms add color and expressiveness to news headlines, helping to convey complex ideas or situations
in a concise and impactful manner.

1. "Bite the bullet: Government announces tough measures to curb inflation."

 Meaning: The government is taking strong measures to address the issue of inflation, despite
potential difficulties or challenges.

2. "Throw in the towel: CEO resigns amid company's financial crisis."

 Meaning: The CEO has decided to quit due to the company's financial troubles, signaling a sense of
defeat or surrender.
 3. "In hot water: Politician embroiled in corruption scandal."

 Meaning: The politician is facing serious trouble or controversy related to corruption allegations.

4. "Weather the storm: Businesses struggle to survive amidst economic downturn."

 Meaning: Businesses are facing challenges and trying to survive during an economic downturn or
crisis.

5. "Break the ice: Diplomatic talks begin between rival nations."

 Meaning: Diplomatic discussions are commencing between nations that have had strained relations,
aiming to establish a more friendly atmosphere.

6. "Up in arms: Protesters demand action on climate change."

 Meaning: Protesters are expressing strong dissatisfaction or anger, calling for action to address
climate change.

7. "Play by ear: Negotiations on trade deal ongoing."

 Meaning: Negotiations are being conducted in an improvised or flexible manner, without following a
set plan or schedule.

8. "On the same page: Leaders agree on joint strategy to combat terrorism."

 Meaning: Leaders are in agreement and have a shared understanding or approach to tackle the issue
of terrorism.

9. "Cry over spilled milk: Public outcry after data breach exposes personal information."

 Meaning: There is a widespread public outcry or lamentation after a data breach has exposed
personal information, despite the fact that the incident cannot be undone.

10. "Kick the can down the road: Government delays decision on controversial policy."

 Meaning: The government has postponed making a decision on a contentious policy, deferring it to a
later time or avoiding addressing it directly.

3. Vocabulary of English news headlines

News headlines serve as the first point of contact between readers and news articles, and they play a
crucial role in conveying the main message of the news story quickly and effectively. The choice of
words in news headlines is critical in capturing readers' attention and generating interest in the news
article. The vocabulary used in English news headlines is carefully crafted to be concise, impactful, and
engaging.
Sources of Vocabulary: The vocabulary used in English news headlines is drawn from various
sources, including formal and informal registers, jargon, and specialized terminologies. News
headlines often employ a combination of simple and complex words, depending on the target
audience and the topic being covered. Common sources of vocabulary in news headlines include:
 1. General English Vocabulary: News headlines often use general English vocabulary that is
familiar to a wide range of readers. These words are chosen to be concise, impactful, and easily
understandable. Examples include words like "crisis," "attack," "government," "election,"
"accident," and "economy." These words are chosen to convey the core message of the news
story and evoke strong emotions in readers.
2. Jargon and Terminology: News headlines covering specialized topics, such as politics,
business, sports, and science, often include jargon and specialized terminologies. These words
are used to convey precise meaning and are commonly understood by readers with expertise
in those fields. Examples of jargon and terminology in news headlines include words like
"brexit," "inflation," "vaccination," "climate change," and "deficit." The use of such vocabulary
adds credibility and authenticity to news headlines, catering to readers with specific interests
and knowledge.
3. Informal and Colloquial Vocabulary: In an attempt to engage with readers and create a
relatable tone, news headlines may also employ informal and colloquial vocabulary. These
words are more conversational and informal in nature, resonating with readers on a personal
level. Examples of informal and colloquial vocabulary in news headlines include words like
"wow," "amazing," "shocking," "outrage," "viral," and "awesome." The use of such vocabulary
aims to capture readers' attention and create an emotional connection.
Trends in Vocabulary:
The vocabulary used in English news headlines is not static, but rather dynamic and constantly
evolving. Various trends can be observed in the vocabulary of news headlines, reflecting changes in
society, technology, and communication. Some notable trends include:
Digital Terminology: With the appearance of digital technology and the internet, news headlines
often incorporate digital terminologies to reflect the changing landscape of communication. Words
like "cyber," "hack," "viral," "social media," "online," and "digital" are frequently used in news
headlines to convey news related to technology, social media, and cyber-related issues.
Emotive Language: News headlines often use emotive language to capture readers' attention and
evoke emotions. Words like "shocking," "outrage," "heartbreaking," "tragic," "scandal," and "crisis" are
commonly used in news headlines to create a sense of urgency, drama, and emotion. This trend
reflects the increasing demand for sensationalism and emotional appeal in news headlines to attract
readers in a competitive news landscape.

Inclusivity and Diversity: News headlines are increasingly incorporating language that promotes
inclusivity and diversity. Words like "diverse," "inclusive," "equality," "diversity," and "empowerment"
are used in news headlines to convey news related to social justice, gender equality, and diversity
issues. This trend reflects the growing
 Specificity and Clarity: English news headlines use specific and clear language to convey the
main message of the news story. Headlines often include specific details such as names,
numbers, and locations to provide clarity and context. This helps readers quickly grasp the key
information without having to read the full article. Commonly used specific words include
"Trump," "Biden," "COVID-19," "China," "UK," "election," "economy," and "stock market."
Example: "President Biden Unveils New Plan to Tackle Climate Change"
 Rhetorical Questions: News headlines often use rhetorical questions to engage readers and
stimulate their curiosity. Rhetorical questions are used to make readers think, provoke their
 interest, and encourage them to click and read the full article. Commonly used rhetorical
question words include "who," "what," "when," "where," "why," and "how."
Example: "Who Will Win the Race for the White House? A Closer Look at the U.S. Presidential Election"
 Quotations: English news headlines often use quotations to provide a direct quote from a
notable person or source. Quotations are used to add credibility, authenticity, and impact to the
headline. They are usually enclosed in quotation marks and attributed to a specific person or
organization.
Example: " "We Can't Ignore the Climate Crisis," Urges Renowned Scientist"
1. Conciseness: English news headlines are typically short and concise, aiming to capture
readers' attention quickly. Headlines often consist of a few words or phrases, and they use
concise and impactful language to convey the main message of the news story. For example,
"Election Results Out!" or "Breaking News: Natural Disaster Strikes!".
2. Formal language: News headlines tend to use formal language, reflecting the journalistic tone
and style. They often avoid colloquial or informal language and use standard English
vocabulary. For example, "Government Announces New Policy" instead of "Govt. Unveils New
Plan."
3. Clarity: Clarity is crucial in news headlines, as readers should be able to understand the main
idea of the news story at a glance. Headlines often use clear and unambiguous language to
convey the main message without ambiguity. For example, "Stock Market Plunges" instead of
"Stocks Take a Hit."
4. Powerful adjectives: News headlines often use powerful adjectives to create impact and
convey the intensity of the news story. Adjectives such as "Breaking," "Exclusive," "Shocking,"
"Stunning," etc., are commonly used to attract readers' attention and make the headline more
compelling. For example, "Shocking Revelations in Corruption Scandal" or "Exclusive Interview
with Celebrity."
5. Verbs: Verbs are essential in news headlines as they convey the action or event in a concise
manner. Strong action verbs are often used to create impact and convey the sense of urgency
or importance. For example, "Fires Raging in California" or "President Vows to Tackle Climate
Change."
6. Nouns: Nouns are used to convey the main subject or topic of the news story. Proper nouns,
such as names of people, organizations, or places, are commonly used in headlines to identify
the key players or locations involved in the news story. For example, "Apple Launches New
iPhone" or "UN Condemns Human Rights Violations."
7. Wordplay and puns: Some news headlines use wordplay and puns to create a clever and
memorable headline. These headlines often play with words, use double entendres, or
incorporate wordplay to make the headline more interesting and engaging. For example,
"Brew-tal Heatwave Grips the City" or "Crime Rates Take a Swipe at Record Highs."
Conclusion: English news headlines use a concise and impactful vocabulary to convey the main
message of a news story. The use of formal language, clarity, powerful adjectives, verbs, nouns, and
sometimes wordplay or puns, are common trends observed in the vocabulary of English news
headlines. Understanding the vocabulary used in news headlines is essential for journalists, writers,
and readers alike, as it helps in comprehending the main idea.
Practical assignments
1. Translate the following headlines into Ukrainian:
French mayor sorry for Ikea April Fool
Parents find daughter after 24-year search
Russia: UK is "playing with fire"
Salman Khan: Bollywood superstar jailed for poaching
Park Geun-hye: South Korea's ex-leader jailed for 24 years for corruption
US: ISIS is "rebuilding"
Student loan repayment threshold rises
Meredith Kercher's family 'back to square one'
Government should 'get its act together' over nursing shortage

2. Find some catchy headlines (5 Ukrainian / 5 English) and translate them into
English/Ukrainian