This week, we discussed headlines. I think headlines are the most important aspect of journalism a reporter needs to know. If you don’t have a good headline, people will not read your story. If people are not reading your stories, how could any reporter expect to move up in the world?
This brings me to my next point. I don’t know how professional papers do it, but why does the DI have the copy editors write the headlines? The reporter knows the story best. The reporter is one who went out and talked to sources. The reporter has a feel for the story that no one has. Shouldn’t the reporter be writing the headline? I think so.
You make a good point about headlines. Aside from the main photograph, it's really the first thing that catches the reader's attention and will either draw them in to the story or push them away. One would think that having the reporter write his or her headline(s) would make more sense, but I suppose work needs to be divided in a newsroom so individuals continue to do a thorough job and stay on course - as Angelina mentioned as well.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought that, the whole thing about having reporters write the headlines. I understand delegating certain responsibilities amongst different employees, but to be a copy editor and have to go through each story looking for grammatical stuff, and THEN try and summarize the story in a headline . . . suffice to say, copy editors have a big job.
ReplyDeleteHow about reporters contribute a basic headline, and copy editors edit THAT?
I know! I always thought it was so strange that the copy editors actually write the headlines. As you said, the reporters are the ones who know the story best. It would make most sense if they wrote them. As we have learned, anybody can learn how to write an effective headlines, so I don't see why reporters can't.
ReplyDeleteAt buzz, I always try and have my writers come up with their own headlines. If they don't do it or can't think of one, I just do it for them.
ReplyDeleteHeadlines are incredibly important. I go through the DI each day and if a headline doesn't bring me in, I won't read it.
I wish more people would realize that headlines aren't generally written by reporters.
ReplyDeleteI actually think it is a good idea for the copy editors to write the headlines. I know that I become very invested into a story that I am writing, that not everyone will understand my headline. Headlines need to be understandable right away. In addition, I struggle with headlines making the count, so the skilled people (copy editors) should do this to assist with the design.
ReplyDeleteI like having copy editors write the headlines... I like seeing reporters taking the initiative to help with a headline, but you have to keep in mind that the headline needs to work with the photo, the caption, any subhead, any graphic, and most importantly, it needs to fit the space. The reporter is usually MIA by the time their stories reach the copy desk.
ReplyDeleteBut that copy editor sees everything in the package, and all the various headlines and other visual elements need to be dynamic and work together. That's the copy editor's job. Often, the reporter never even sees the visual aspects before they go to print.
It's different if it's a larger package that was planned ahead of time, but often the copy editor will be the one to write clear, to-the-point headlines that fit in with all the other visuals on the page.