Writing Better Headlines

 

Kenn Finkel, a long-time desk editor and supervisor at different newspapers, will host a headline-writing workshop for print media staff at NewsU of The Poynter Institute For Media Studies.
Last night, I received an announcement in the mail from News University saying NewsU is offering copy editors the opportunity to review your headline-writing techniques and to renew your commitment to excellent journalism....
Participants will learn to:

• Write engaging headlines that draw readers into a story
• Identify the elements of good and bad headlines
• Identify some of the worst (yet most common) transgressions in headlines and eliminate them
• Use key words in the story to write stronger headlines
• Recognize when and how to use word play
• Pinpoint strong verbs for headlines

You'll also get coaching and individualized feedback on your work by instructor Kenn Finkel, and you'll have the opportunity to share online with other course participants.
I wish I could take part, but due to my busy schedule that would be impossible. I recommend that anyone with a direct interest in this should sign up for Kenn's course(esp those involved in print journalism).
Former Miami Herald copy desk guru, Kenn Finkel, is regarded as one of the newspaper industry's top teachers of reporting, writing and editing. I have some of his handouts and go through them on occasion. He'd be a perfect guy to produce a writing style book for journalists.
Before becoming a consultant, Kenn had worked for 33 years as a journalist at the Miami Herald, the New York Times, Newsday, Dallas Times Herald and Miami News, serving as a reporter, copy editor, assistant city editor, features editor, sports editor, graphics director and associate managing editor.

Jack Smith  |  *Feedback  |   0 comments   |     |  1:06 PM