Headlines and ‘Journalese’

1. The not-so-secret language of the media Headlines and ‘Journalese’

2. Lesson Objectives • At the end of this lesson we will understand the uses and effectiveness of wordplay in headline writing, and be more familiar with journalese shorthand and the way it is used in headlines.

3. Starter • What do you make of the following…

4. Some facts… • Newspapers and magazines use a number of different methods to make their headlines eye-catching, dramatic and memorable. • A common method employed in headlines is to use a play on words based on the subject of the story. • To save space and attract the readers attention, headline writers have developed their own vocabulary of short, dramatic words.

5. Examples • The following are examples of different techniques used to catch the readers attention: Christian prays for salvationTottenham put a stop to Gross incompetence The story is that the Spurs are losing matches under their manager, Christian Gross, who finally leaves the club Angel’s wining his way to WBA The story is that Oxford United winger Mark Angel is to join West Bromwich Albion Thieves show shear-er cheek The story is that a cardboard cut-out of Alan Shearer is stolen from outside a shop These are all examples of puns on names

6. Examples • The following are examples of different techniques used to catch the readers attention: Cat flap in drowning street Humphrey, a cat, goes missing. Biggest of the Mall Manchester's Trafford Park shopping complex opens We’ve a weever invasion on coast! An increase of poisonous weever fish is happening on our beaches. These are all examples of puns and wordplay

7. Examples • The following are examples of different techniques used to catch the readers attention: Till Deaf do us part A man deliberately shouts in his wife’s ear and damages her hearing. Love at first flight Describing an RAF romance These are all examples of plays on words

8. Journalese Shorthand • Headlines can take up a great deal of space, so journalists have developed their own shorthand vocabulary to produce dramatic, punchy headlines. Some of this vocabulary is rarely used anywhere else and can involve unusual use of nouns, verbs, and adjectives. NOUNS Police face racism probe Rover to axe development plan Murdoch in new bid By-pass fury Tot stops in traffic Police in drugs swoop New beef scare VERBS Tories split on Europe Brand quits BBC UK hit by recession Brown slams motorists Temperatures set to rise

9. Finding your own examples… • Using spare magazines/newspapers, and in groups, find some examples of word-play in headlines. Copy the headlines down into your notes, so you can share with the class.

10. Plenary: Spotting wordplay • Its one thing to spot wordplay in action, and another to be able to describe how it’s being used, and why. • Each of the following headlines are different takes on the same story. Write a brief explanation of the wordplay being used. Next, select two or three favourites and explain how and why they are effective Snow joke for London London survives in winter blunerdland Schools close, students think it’s white stuff Mother nature gives a royal walloping; record snowfall set Public transit frozen in place