ما وراء عناوين الاخبار

How much can a headline tell us about a news story?

In today's BBC Xtra English, Cath and Louay make sense of some recent news headlines, in another of their occasional programmes on the subject.

Headlines follow certain rules.

They have to be concise. For example, a headline on the BBC News website, has a maximum of five words.

A headline must also convey the essence of a story, and attract people.

Successful headlines are written in a simple and direct style.

Cath and Louay examine some headlines about the conflict between Israeli and Palestinian forces:

"Israel 'expands' Gaza offensive".

The word 'expands' is in inverted commas to show that it is a quotation.

Offensive is another word for attack.

"Hamas ready for urban battle".

This story explains that the battle is the first chance for Israel and the Palestinians to trade blows, on a more or less equal footing.

Cath and Louay also explain some headlines about the British climate. There is some colder weather in the U.K. at the moment.

"Warnings issued amid Arctic chill", is typical of the headlines appearing on the BBC News website.

Finally a story about sixty years of vinyl records.

One headline reads 'Vintage Vinyl'.

It's a very short headline which gives readers only a basic idea of the story to follow.

Despite repeated predictions of the demise of the seven inch vinyl single, it is still a popular way to listen to music in the U.K.

The vinyl single appears to be heading for a revival.

Email us with your comments about headlines. Are they misleading?

ارسلوا لنا تعليقاتكم عن عناوين الاخبار. هل هي مضللة؟

headline
عنوان الخبر

concise
مختصر

essence
جوهر الموضوع

attract
يجذب

a simple and direct style
اسلوب واضح و صريح

expands
يتوسع

offensive
هجوم

attack
يهاجم

to trade blows
تبادل الضربات

equal footing
على قدم المساواة

chill
البرد

demise
زوال

vinyl single
اسطوانة الفينيل التي تستخدم لتسجيل أغنية واحدة على كل من وجهيها

Amr, Malaysia
In fact,most of headlines i can't get what does the writer mean. Secondly, maybe the method of writer is different to show his idea either by misleading or appear it . what kind of writing that usually used? its to be attractive or unknown. but as i'm a reader i like something is special and professional with the easiest way to understand. No matter what ur language is but the essence to convey meaning.

Ahmad, Jordan
Hello, i think it's important for us to read a concise and obvious news, but i read headline in newspaper said "prime minister receives a delegation from real madrid club to discuss a political and economical problems " until now i do not understand what is the relationship between football from side and politics and economic from another side.

Ammar, Libya
Yes , i agree with you about most of the headlines in journal are misleading , and some of them largest a small happen story . and at another side we could see a attractive headline at magazines , that is not explain or concise the story .but quotation more tension thing in it.

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