Understanding English Newspaper Headline

ABSTRACT A Newspaper Headline not only attracts the readers’ attentions but also tells us the content of the news. But to understand it is not easy. In this report, firstly, the writer gives you some background information, aims and searching method of the English newspaper headlines in general as well as defines them in particular with the hope of helping the reader to understand the importance of the study. In the next parts, she goes to the main contents about the basis knowledge to understand headline, in which the different types of newspaper headlines are focused on, by giving theories and examples followed with analysis. The contents consist of: Overview of newspaper headlines The language of newspaper headlines The different types of newspaper headlines Headline vocabulary Idioms To catch the information in a changing world is essential. Reading this study, you will know a great part of the world as knowing about the headline of the newspaper- the media describe the world. With a special topic and the typical examples as well as using a famous newspaper for these, this report is really private and attractive. Outline of the Report Understanding English Newspaper Headline I. Introduction 1. Rationale 2. Scope of the study 3. Aims of the study 4. Methods of the study II. Literature Review III. Findings The language of newspaper headlines The different types of newspaper headlines Straight headlines Headlines that ask a question Headlines that contains a quotation Feature headlines Double headlines Headline vocabulary Idioms IV. Conclusion I. Introduction 1. Rationale We are living in a modern world with the great boom of information and technology. It is a must to know about the news or events happening. One way of accessing to them is reading newspaper. In addition, reading its headlines enable the readers to get the gist of the story. As a report writing, here, we would like to study the basic knowledge about understanding newspaper headline. 2. Scope of the study For reasons of space and time, within the framework of this study, this assignment just covers some aspects that help to understand newspaper headline with the hope of giving more techniques for the reader catching the news or events quickly and deeply. 3. Aims of the study English is spoken over 70 countries and in 20; more English occupies an important position. Many newspapers are published in English. It is estimated that the two thirds of all scientific newspaper are first published in English. It is also the most common international working languages. In this report, we would like to introduce some basic knowledge to understand the English newspaper headlines. Since, you will be able to read the quickly and know about the world comprehensively. 4. Methods of the study We have discussed searching area, selected newspaper International Herald Tribune, which is very popular for the English speaker and good for making examples, and we focused on the headlines. Members first raised the questions about the topic in order to identify the writing direction. Then, we involved the library and foreign-language documents and writing a common layout. Next, each member worked independently, collected information and data, then analyzing it in his own way. Therefore, the report also carries students’ experiences in using article and bases on their views. 5. Design of the study In a limited framework, this report is not intended for listing and mentioning all aspects of ways to understand newspaper headlines. This report is divided into 4 parts in which the different types of newspaper headlines are focused on: The language of newspaper headlines Straight headlines Headlines that ask a question Headlines that contains a quotation Feature headlines Double headlines Headline vocabulary Idioms II. Literature Review It can be said that newspaper is one of the most important components of every society. While other researchers focus on the fields of translation, topic sentence, body part, introduction, linguistic features…ect of the this source with different purposes, we went to study on the newspaper headlines in general and on the basic knowledge to understand it in particular. This is a very special language of newspaper. The news outs its climax at the beginning. Usually, the size and the blackness oh the headline are justified by the importance of the stories beneath them and do summarize the stories accurately. III. Findings The headlines generally answer the question ‘Who?’, ‘What?’, ‘Why?’, ‘When?’, ‘Where?’ and ‘How?’ A good headline lays up (put first) whichever one of these- the five W’s and the H- is the most significant. ‘What’ and ‘Who’ frequently make the best beginning, ‘Why’ and ‘How’ are often used, ‘When’ and ‘Where’ are least common. There is an easy trick to understand headlines in the English language newspapers- keep-to-date on local and world news. With a little experience, we may understand many of the headlines of our local English language paper better than a native speaker who is new to our area. Why? Because we know more about our community. Newspaper headlines do, however, have a language of their own and it is necessary to learn about it if we want to really understand an English language newspaper. 1. The language of newspaper headlines There are two very clear features to English newspaper headlines. a. Headlines are almost always in present tense. Eg: EU treats lightly on rights issue with China. or South Korea replaces envoy for nuclear talks (IHT. Wednesday, April 16, 2008) Even future events are described in present tense Eg: Nations meet to discuss global warming project (IHT. Monday, March31, 2008) b. Headlines generally leave out certain words, especially articles and the verb to be. And is often replaced by a comma. Eg: Co-chief demoted at Kia in shakeup ( Co-chief is demoted at Kia in shakeup) (IHT. Wednesday, April 16, 2008) Or: Maldivian team accused (Maldivian team were accused) (IHT. Thursday, April 3, 2008) 2. The different types of newspaper headlines a. Straight headlines Straight headlines simply tell us the main topic of the story. They are the most common type of the headline and are the easiest to understand. Eg: 2 young talents give their team a lift in Europe (IHT. Thursday, April 3, 2008) Or: U.S. Muslims turn to teaching children at home (IHT. Thursday, March 27, 2008) b. Headlines that ask a question Most question headlines are not really typical questions at all. They are statement followed by a question mark. Question marks are uses when: The headline reports a future possibility. Eg: Help for U.S home owners? (IHT. Friday, April 4, 2008) The latest smash hit on TV? (IHT. Tuesday, April 8, 2008) There is some doubt about the truth or accuracy of the story. Eg: S&M session goes too far? (IHT. Tuesday, April 8, 2008) The last great oil frontier? (IHT. Saturday-Sunday, March 22-23, 2008) Note that this is one of the few times a newspaper headline may use a tense other than the present. c. Headlines that contains a quotation what people say can be as important as what they do, so it is not surprising to find a quote as a headline. Eg: Richardson endorses Obama, a “once-in-a-lifetime leader” (IHT. Saturday-Sunday, March 22-23, 2008) Mugabe will “fight”- Official says (IHT. Friday, April 4, 2008) A quotation is another way a newspaper can begin a story with an unproven statement. And it can be used for more than just candicating a direct quote. They are also used tell us that a word is being used outside its normal meaning. d. Feature headlines Not all newspaper stories report major events. Some stories are included because they are highly unusual: others because they are amusing. Headlines for such stories try to be as clever as possible to catch the reader’s interest. It is often necessary to read the story to understand the headline. Eg: Al Qaeda’s newest star (IHT. Saturday-Sunday, April 5-6, 2008) The story is about Zawahri who is an escape from a U.S military prison and emerges as a possible heir to Bin Laden. e. Double headlines Double headlines are two part headlines for the same story. They are often used foe major events. Eg: As Uighurs get restive, China takes a tough line And the other headline of the same story: Severe punishments are promised in Tibet. (IHT. Saturday-Sunday, April 5-6, 2008) 3. Headline vocabulary English newspaper headlines use a very special vocabulary. Here, we would like to list some typical words that appear in headline. We have undoubtedly seen many the words before, but when used in headlines they may carry meanings that are unfamiliar. WORD  COMMON HEADLINE MEANING   accord air assail axe back balk bar cite deadlock ease fault grip head off ink key lash out nab office pact prompt rage rule sack stall sway swindle thwart ties vie weigh  agreement to make known criticize strongly dismiss from a job to support to refuse not to allow mention a disagreement that can’t be settled to reduce or loosen to find in the wrong to take hold of to prevent to sign very important criticize strongly, accuse to capture an important government position a solemn agreement to cause to burn out of control decide (especially in court) dismiss from a job to influence or persuade an unlawful way to getting money making no progress prevent from being successful relations to compete to consider   4. Idioms English newspaper headlines are full of idioms. We can usually understand the idioms in headlines, however, by reading the story that follows. Eg: Pastor’s words put Clinton in a bind (IHT. Saturday-Sunday, March 22-23, 2008) IV. Conclusion To sum up, understanding English newspaper headline requires us to know about its language, its different types and words used in. Newspaper headline do, however, has a language of its own and it is necessary to learn about it if we want really understand an English language newspaper. References Bush, C.D. (1965). News writing and reporting public affair. Philadelphia Chilton Book Company Firth, J.R. (1957). Papers in linguistics. Oxford University Press. International Herald Tribune: Saturday-Sunday, March 22-23, 2008 International Herald Tribune: Thursday, March 27, 2008 International Herald Tribune: Friday, April 4, 2008 International Herald Tribune: Saturday-Sunday, April 5-6, 2008 International Herald Tribune: Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Paul F. Wedel & Terry L. fredrickson. (1984). How to Read and Understand an English Language Newspaper. Newbury House Publishers.