NEWSPAPER LANGUAGE – HEADLINE ENGLISH

   

   National papers in UK can be characterized as belonging to one of two distinct categories: the
   quality papers, or broadsheets and the popular papers, or tabloids. They use larger headlines
   and write in a simpler style of English. Broadsheets devote much space to politics and other
   serious news, the tabloids concentrate on human interest stories, often on sex and scandal.
   Both types devote equal amounts of attention to sport. The broadsheets are twice as large as
   the tabloids.

   TASK: divide the following newspapers into

   tabloids or broadsheets:

   The Daily Mirror, the Guardian, The Daily Mail, The Sun, The Independent, The Times, The Daily
   Express, The Daily Telegraph, The Financial Times, The Star:

   Tabloids:                                                                                          
   broadsheets:

   

   Newspaper English differs from general English, as the journalists must express main ideas in
   short articles. They try to catch the reader´s eye by using as few words in a headline as
   possible. The language of headlines is therefore unusual in a number of ways.

     o Grammar words like articles or auxiliary verbs are often left out / Royal Family quits/
     o A simple form of a verb is used /Queen Opens Hospital Today/
     o The infinitive is used to express the future /President to visit Iran/

   

   Newspaper articles and headlines use a lot of distinctive vocabulary:

   

   Newspaper word                    meaning                      newspaper word         meaning

   Aid                                          help                             key
                                essential

   Axe                                         cut, remove                 
   link                              connection

   Back                                       support            
   bar                               exclude, forbid

   Bid                                          attempt             oust
                               push out

   Blast                                        explosion                     
   blaze                            fire

   Plea                                         request                         boost
                              encourage

   Clash                                       dispute                        
   ploy                             clever activity

   Curb                                        limit                            
   probe                           investigation

   Drive                                       campaign, effort          
   quit                              leave, resign

   Go-ahead                                 approval                      
   hit                                affect badly

   Riddle                                      mystery                       
   strife                            conflict

   Threat                                     danger                        
   vow                             promise

   Wed                                        marry                          
   gems                            jewels

   NOTE: Newspaper headlines often use abbreviations, e.g. PM = Prime Minister, MP = Member of
   Parliament....

   TASK 1         

   Match the headlines with their topics:

   Headlines                                                                  topics

   1. PM BACKS PEACE PLAN                                    a. marriage of famous actress

   2. MP SPY DRAMA                                                  b. royal jewels are stolen

   3. SPACE PROBE FAILS                                                      c. person who saw
   crime in danger

   4. QUEEN´S GEMS RIDDLE                                     d. proposal to end war

   5. STAR WEDS                                                                     e. satellite
   is not launched

   6. KEY WITNESS DEATH THREAT                        f. politician sells secrets to enemy

   

   TASK 2

   Explain the meaning of the following headlines:

   SHOP BLAZE 5 DEAD

   MOVE TO CREATE MORE JOBS                

   GO-AHEAD FOR WATER CURBS  

   BID TO OUST PM     

   PRINCE VOWS TO BACK FAMILY 

   NEW TENNIS CLASH                                  

   BOMB BLAST CENTRAL LONDON