4.2 Strategy 1: Story and Headline

A. Strategy 1: Story and Headline

B. What's the Story?

Ramy said in the video that he looks for stories that can educate or inspire those watching.  Click below for an example of each! As you read each example, think about whether the story is intended to educate or inspire people to take action.

Example 1

A story on fuel-efficient school buses and how it is saving the school district money.

Example 1

Example 2

A community comes together to gather food, clothing, and household items for a family affected by a house fire.

Example 2

Could you pick out which was to inspire and which was to educate? If you said example 1 was to educate and example 2 was to inspire, you are correct!

C. Write the Headline!

Every news story, whether it educates or inspires, has a headline. Stories typically have only one headline because news stories generally focus on a single topic. The headline helps viewers understand what the story or central idea is about. 

 

A headline is a quick summary. It quickly informs news viewers what the story is about and also attempts to capture their interest. In a newspaper, the headline is the heading at the top of a news story, typically in a larger font size.

Now you are going to watch one of Ramy’s news stories. You’ll join Ramy as he sets sail from London on an old ship.

 

Directions: Now that you know what a headline is, it is your job to write a headline for Ramy’s news story.

  • Watch the video below.
  • What would be a good headline that tells about the story, but also hooks the reader? Why?
  • Discuss your headline with a partner.

D. You Try

Directions: Read the headlines below and decide which are effective. 

Imagine you are a community journalist and the following headlines were recently in the news:

  • Homeless shelter needs food
  • Burst pipe at library, books destroyed
  • Too much trash in local parks
  • Animal shelters need your help – adopt!
  • Elementary school students are disappointed; new playground equipment is needed

Think About It: 

  1. Which headline(s) do you find effective?  Why? 
  2. Which story do you think would inspire readers?  
  3. Which story do you think would educate?  Think and discuss with a partner or reflect on your own.
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