Headline writing requires skill and concentration. Your headline must give the essence of the story. While explaining  the  story  accurately,  your  headline  also  must fit into a limited space. Some  copy  editors  approach  headline  writing  by looking for a key word or two that expresses the high point of the story. Then they add other words until they have a headline. Other copy editors begin by forming a sentence that contains the essential elements of the story. Then they edit out excess words (adverbs, adjectives, articles, and so forth) and minor details until all that is left   is   a   well-tailored   headline   that   tells   the   story essentials. Headlines are written in  telegraphic  English,  a term coined because they closely resemble the wording found inmost telegrams. While the consideration in telegrams is  mostly  monetary,  the  economical  consideration  of headlines  is  space.  Therefore,  headlines  usually  contain — as the “bare bones” of language — a subject and verb. Other strong uses of telegraphic English might include subject-predicate or subject-verb-object constructions. A  straight  news  headline  is  written  for  a  straight news story and a feature headline for a feature story. If the story is a colorful account of some event or trip, the headline should be colorful. If the story is a romantic or dramatic account of an event, the headline should follow form. If it is a human interest story with an element of pathos, the headline should not be humorous. If the story is humorous, the headline should not be pathetic. In  the  following  text,  we  will  cover  some  of  the general  principles  of  headline  construction  practiced  by most  copy  editors. USE OF VERBS The   key   to   good   headline   writing   is   the   use, whenever  possible,  of  strong  action  verbs.  Headline writers  use  verbs  in  what  is  sometimes  called  the “historical  present”  tense  —  meaning  they  use  the present  tense  verb  to  describe  action  that  has  already happened. Primarily, this tense is used to convey a sense of immediacy, in the same way many people normally speak   in   the   present   tense   to   describe   exciting experiences   to   friends.   Present   tense   verbs   contain fewer letters than do their past tense forms. Verbs may be omitted when implied. For example, the  verb  “appears”  is  implied  in  the  following  headline: Acadia Boatswain’s Mate On ’Supermarket Sweep’ However,  do  not  overuse  this  approach.  Action verbs are still best for capturing a reader’s attention. The verbs  is  and  are  are  frequently  understand.  It  is  not necessary to use them except for clarity. The infinitive “to be” is also awkward in headlines and you should avoid using it. Note the following examples: Poor: New pay raise is approved Better: New pay raise approved Poor: Halloween Dance to be held Oct. 31 at Fleet Park Better: Halloween Dance slated Oct. 31 at Fleet Park Do  not  begin  a  headline  with  a  verb  that  might convey  the  imperative  mood  (implying  a  command). Note the examples that follow: Poor: Reject  new  pay  hike for armed forces Good: Armed forces pay hike rejected by Congress Better: Congress rejects new pay hike for armed forces To give the reader a better sense of immediacy, the verb should be in the first line of a headline whenever possible. When you can avoid it, do not place the verb in the bottom line of a three-line head. ARTICLES Omit all articles (a, an, the) and other unnecessary words. Note the following example: Poor: Today’s submariners are “lucky” says veteran of the USS Grant Better: Today’s  submariners  “lucky” says USS Grant veteran VOICE Use  the  active  voice  in  preference  to  the  passive voice  whenever  possible.  Note  the  following  examples: Poor: Better: Poor: Better: More  pilots being sought for T-45 test Navy seeks more  pilots for T-45 test Navy flight training bolstered by new T-45 New T-45s bolster Navy flight training 9-7