Why Are News Article Headlines Written with Such Odd Grammar?
News article headlines have evolved over time to adopt unique grammatical structures and forms. This evolution is driven by specific needs for clarity, relevance, and impact. One of the primary reasons for this odd grammar in headlines is the historical constraint of limited space. To save space, especially in print media, words that convey auxiliary functions are often omitted. These auxiliary words are often prepositions, articles, and conjunctions, leaving only the essential content words to catch the reader's attention.
How Headlines Simplify to Stand Out
Headlines are not merely truncated versions of complete sentences; they are purposefully crafted to highlight the core message. By eliminating unnecessary function words, the headlines remain concise yet informative, ensuring that the key points are easily digestible. For example, consider the headline from the online version of the Times of India:
Apple iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus official prices out
Compared to the full sentence:
The official prices for Apple iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are out.
The first version is much more concise and stands out visually. It effectively conveys the information without any unnecessary words. The omission of articles, prepositions, and conjunctions makes the headline easier to read and remember.
Grammatical Flexibility in Headlines
Headlines can employ various grammatical structures to achieve their purpose. One common structure is the use of the simple present tense, which is often used to describe a fact that is true at the time of the writing. Additionally, headlines may use the passive voice to emphasize the object, as seen in this example:
A new study shows significant benefits for climate change
Here, the headline emphasizes the object of the study, making it more impactful and easier to understand quickly. While these forms of writing lack certain grammatical components, they are still grammatically correct and serve the specific purpose of succinctly communicating the key information.
Modern Constraints and Communication
The practice of simplifying language in headlines is not unique to newspapers; it is also prevalent in other forms of digital communication with character limitations. For instance, Twitter characters are limited, and SMS messages have strict character constraints. To fit these constraints, headlines are often crafted to be as concise as possible.
Additionally, the use of odd grammar in headlines can sometimes be confusing, especially for readers who are not used to this style. However, it is clear and effective for engaging the attention of the target audience. The clarity and impact of such headlines are often prioritized over strict grammatical correctness.
In conclusion, the odd grammar in news article headlines is not a mistake but a strategic choice to ensure that the most critical information is conveyed quickly and effectively. By understanding and embracing these practices, readers can better appreciate and engage with news content.