Journalistic English Tutoring 1:

Headline

You can be a better reader if you know what to expect in a newspaper. For example, when you read a newspaper you usually look quickly at headlines first. Newspaper headlines have a language of their own headlines and it is necessary to learn about it. 1.1. Functions of Headlines 1.1.1 Outlining the News: Essence of the News A newspaper usually has dozens of pages. It is unimaginable that a common reader should read the newspaper word by word from the very beginning to the end. Readers read the paper to his taste. Thus, headlines are a guide for them, for headlines are the essence of the news to read. 1.1.2 Beautifying the Format of the Newspaper Pages Headlines help to clarify news articles respectively in the paper to make the pages readable. 1.2. Features of Headlines Please read the following headlines:
Moscow official wounded by gunmen Earthquake rocks Turkey Husband to sue wife Boy on cliff rescued Young Sudanese refugees endured famine, separations from family
From above we can see two prominent features of English newspaper headlines:

Headlines are almost always in the present tense and even future events are put in the present tense Headlines generally omit unnecessary words, especially articles and the verb to be. And is often replaced by a comma. 1.2.1. Grammatical Features of Headlines 1.2.1.1. Omission

Omission of grammatical words or functional words, such as articles, conjunction of and, link verb of to be, etc. e.g. a) Top Indian Hotel Angry at BBC (=A top Indian hotel is angry at the BBC.) b) NBCs President Seeks Big Acquisitions, Ventures for Network (=The NBCs president seeks big acquisitions and ventures for the network.) c) Mother, Daughter Share Fulbright Year

(=A mother and her daughter share a Fulbright Year.) d) Three Dead After Inhaling Over Gas e) Financier Killed by Burglars f) Move to Ban Tobacco Advertising Notes: a) TB on the Rise Again in China b) Four Killed and Five Hurt In a House Fire 1.2.1.2. Tenses The frequent tenses used in the headline are the simple present, the simple future and the present progressive, whether it is of the past event, in order to add to its freshness and immediacy. e.g. a) Longevity Star Dies at 110 b) Largest Chinese Trade Delegation to Visit US in Nov. c) Deposits, Loans Rising in HK d) Sun Faces Charge Over Racist Cartoon 1.2.1.3. Voices

Passive voice in the headline is often represented without the auxiliary verb be or by phrase. Only the bare past participle will do. e.g. Two Workmen Injured in Electrical Accident 1.2.1.4. Punctuations a) Comma is often functioned as the conjunction and. e.g. China, Japan Seek More Ways b) dash is often functioned as quotes, introducing the speaker or the source. e.g. Economy Grows Slowly as Unemployment, Inflation Rise Economists c) Colon is often functioned as saying or the conjunction of link verb be. e.g. Bush: US Vows to Combat Terrorists Chinese Acrobats: Masters of Stunts 1.2.2. Wording Features of the Headlines 1.2.2.1. Short and Simple, But Not Lengthy

Short, simple and concrete words are often applied in the headlines to create vividness and accuracy. e.g. US Refuses to Back Environment Fund

Europe Hold Talks to End Tension in Yugoslavia World Eyes Mid-East Peace Talk Allowance to Be Cut in 200,000 Families Words for Your Reference (1): aid assail ban help / assist denounce prohibit / forbid alter axe bar Verbs change dismiss / reduce prevent ask back bare inquire support expose / reveal / disclose attempt increase cause the death of reduce reduce / lessen watch interest criticize acquire destroy retain / arrest murder happen with

blast bilk buy

explode cheat purchase

begin bolt check

commence desert / abandon examine

bid boost claim

clash dip edict

disagree strongly decline / decrease decree proclamation confront insult seize direct injure praise

curb due / end

control / restrict schedule terminate

cut ease eye

face flout grib head hurt laud

fire foil grill hit kick

dismiss prevent from investigate criticize abandon

flay grab gut hold kill / loom

launch begin commence map moot name work out discuss

lop mark nab

diminish celebrate arrest

mar mull

damage study / consider capture

appoint / elect / net nominate

nip opt pledge poise

defeat choose promise ready for action

nix oust plot probe quit

deny / disapprove expel conspire investigate resign down /

nod peril plunge prod

approve endanger plummet instigate attack / search

prompt trigger off

step raid

rap rebuke

criticize criticize

rage rock

become violent

raze

destroy defeat completely abandon skyrocket make progress exchange criticize reduce utilize no

shake violently / rout shock transfer neglect encourage shun soar stall

sack slay spark

dismiss murder encourage

shift snub spur

stem sway top try

check influence exceed endeavor attempt compete promise determine seek to win

study thwart trade / urge

investigate obstruct exchange promote advocate invalidate marry

swap toe trim / use

vie vow

void / wed

voice weigh

express consider

woo

Words for Your Reference (2): ace blast champion explosion aid blow

Nouns assistance arms weapons committee

injury / body disappointment

suffered clash crash controversy collision cool deal uninterested agreement transaction ambassador strong dispute stabilization Grand Old Party connection market agreement treaty request for help cop / dems policeman democrats

down fete flop glut key man output

decrease celebration failure oversupply essential representative production

envoy feud freeze GOP link mart pact

fake firm gem

counterfeit company jewel

jobless unemployment loot nod / pay money stolen approval wage / salary

pit

coal mine

plea

poll

election / public opinion

post Reds row

position communists quarrel

probe riddle set

investigation mystery ready

pullout withdrawal rift snag separation unexpected difficulty progress

stance

attitude

statement dispute that step cannot be settle talk conference ties

strife

conflict

(diplomatic) relations

tiff

argument

Tory

The Conservative Party

1.2.2.2.

Initials or Acronyms

a) For organizations and Proper Names: EEC=European Economic Community UNESCO

CPPCC=Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference IMF to recruit new members (International Monetary Fund) RAFs New Jet Makes Debut ASEAN, CIA, CPC, FBI, GATT, IOC, NASA, NATO, NPC, OAU, OPEC, PLO, WHO b) For common things: ABM, EST, GMT, ICBM, PR, SALT, SDI, DJI, UFO c) For professions: MP, PM, VIP, TP, Notes: Initials in the headlines may not familiar to the readers. Anyhow, the complete forms of the initials can usually be found in the lead or understood through the context. e.g. US Refuses ME Talks Date Change

WASHINGTON The US administration on Thursday turned down Arab requests for setting a new starting time for the Middle East peace talks.

Alumnus Donates $ 1 Million to SMU A Chinese-American doctor donated $ 1 million to Shanghai Medical University as a special gift to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of his alma mater. 1.2.2.3. Shortened Words or Abbreviations

Some commonly used nouns, adjectives are often shortened by clipping to save letters in the headlines, which could be easily detected through the context. e.g. overseas co-ops, hi-tech research, nuke arms grad (graduate), hosp (hospital), bn (billion), pc (percent), cig (cigarette) Words for your reference (3): Abbreviations ad biz con disco exam advertisement business convict discotheque examination auto celeb deli doc expo automobile celebrity delicatessen doctor exposition bach champ divi dorm frat bachelor champion diviend dormitory fraternity

gas Japs mag mod pro Russ

gasoline Japanese magazine modern professional Russia

gym lab lib pic rail sec

gymnasium laboratory liberation picture railway secretary

homo lav memo pix rep sub

homosexual lavatory memorandum pictures representative Subway submarine University racoon alligator influenza convict /

van cello copter quake fridge Natl

vanguard violoncello helicopter earthquake refrigerator national

vet chute dozer wig tec nat

veteran parachute bulldozer periwig detective nationalist

uni coon gator flu vic

heliport Helicopter airport dept cric mike department critic microphone Australian

motel Coml

Motor hotel commercial

Intl Ctee bike Co-ed

international committee bicycle

Cwealth Common Wealth pram perambulator

Female college Aussie student handkerchief telly

bookie

bookmaker

hanky

television

1.2.2.4. Journalistic Coinages Journalistic coinages are often made up of a phrase by saving some syllables in order to make a compound. e.g. smog=smoke fog; atobomb=atom bomb; newscast=news broadcast; blacketeer=black marketer; fruice=fruit juice;

cinemanufacturer=cinema manufacturer; slanguage=slang language;

politburo=polical bureau;

teleceiver=television receiver;

Euromart=European Common Market;

stagflation=stagnation and inflation; Euromissiles=European-based missiles Notes: Witticism or pun is often seen in the headlines e.g. Chinese Climbers Hold Summit Talks 1.2.3. Types of Headlines Newspaper headlines can be classified into several types: Straight headlines give you the main topic of the story. They are the most common type of headline and are the easiest to understand. Snow has chilling effects on South Clinton offers Bush advice. Headlines that ask a question, report a future possibility or offer some doubt about the truth or accuracy of the story. Can technology fix ballot woes? Do market analysts have bad aim or bad intentions? Headlines that contain a quotation which is important or which shows that a statement is not proven. Mother: Let my baby go We wont quit Double headlines are two-part headlines for the same story and are often used for major events. How Express broke diplomatic silence HUSH-UP ON SPY ENVOYS Feature headlines are used for stories that are either highly unusual or amusing. Headlines for such stories try to be as clever as possible to catch the reader's interest. Teletubbles maker seeks funds for expansion Dead student fell under the crush during clashes
1.2.4. Understanding Headline Vocabulary Word Common headline meaning agreement to make known Example

accord air

Accord possible today TV airs facts on arms delivery

assail axe back balk bar bid

to criticize strongly to dismiss from a job to support to refuse to accept not to allow attempt offer

Russ assails US on A-tests Governor to axe aide? Algeria backs decision to ignore dollar Union balks at court order Club faces shutdown for barring women Bid to open border Union rejects latest bid Clerk bilks company of $1m strong Tanker blast near Manila

bilk blast(noun)

to cheat explosion; criticism criticize strongly strike with explosives

blast(verb)

MP blasts democrats

blaze cite

fire mention

Blaze kills three Management shutdown cites labor unrest for

claim claim(claim the life of) clash(noun) clash(verb) cool curb deadlock

to declare to be true to kill

Man claims ghost sighting Bombs claim40

battle; dispute disagree strongly ;fight uninterested; unfriendly limit; control a disagreement cannot be settled that

Marine dies in clash Mayor clashes with city council Moscow cool to aid offer Sunday driving curbs planned Jury deadlock in kidnap trial

drive

a strong well-planned effort by a group for a particular purpose expected

Cancer drive exceeds goal

due

Greek FM due today

eye ease eve fault feud

to watch with interest to reduce or loosen the day before to find in the wrong dispute; disagreement strong

Women's groups eye court vote Rome eases martial law Violence on eve of independence Study faults police Border feud danger to regional peace

flay foe foil

accuse; criticize strongly opponent; enemy to prevent succeeding to take hold of to destroy completely by fire to prevent theft keep in police control; arrest to sign from

US flays Russia Clinton talks with congressional foes FBI folls bid to hijack plane to Iran

grip gut

Cholera fear grips Japan Year's biggest fire guts 178 homes

head off heist hold

President heads off rail strike Jewel heist foiled 7 held for smuggling

ink

Thailand, Malaysia ink sea treaty

key kick off lash out laud line launch link loom

very important to begin criticize strongly; accuse to praise position; demand to begin connected to expected in the near

Gov't.wins key vote Fiery speech kicks off campaign College heads lash out at NUS PM lauds community spirit Israel softens line Police launch anti-drug drive Fungus linked to mystery disease Treaty dispute looming

future loot(noun) loot(verb) stolen money or goods unlawful taking away of valuable to capture to take capture approval an important government position choose; decide to take power away from a solemn agreement deeply felt request a statement in court indicating guilt or innocence promise ready for action election Voting station position in government, Business investigation to cause to burn out of control accusation charge possession of; Police recover loot Rioters loot stores goods

nab net

Gang leader nabbed Customs check nets over $2m

nod office

Minister seeks nod for oil saving plan Minister quits, tired of office

opt oust pact plea plea

Swiss opt to back tax for churches Voters' oust incumbents Peace pact today? Mother's plea; Let me see my baby Guilty pleas expected

pledge poised poll poll post

IOC pledges support Workers poised to strike October poll? Voters go to the polls in Japan Unknown gets key Cabinet post

probe prompt rage rap(noun)

Governor orders fire probe Court decision prompts public anger Forest fire rages Corruption rap unfair says senator

rap(verb) rock rout row rule sack sack(from ransack) set slay snag snub soar spark stalemate

criticize to shock; to surprise defeat completely a quarrel decide dismiss from a job to search thoroughly and rob decided on; ready to kill or murder problem; difficulty to pay no attention to to rise rapidly to cause; to lead to action a disagreement cannot be settled making no progress attitude; way of thinking to prevent or stop to influence or persuade an unlawful getting money prevent from successful relations to cut way of that

Safety commission raps auto companies Gov't. report rocks stock market Rebels routed, leave 70 dead Oil price row may bring down gov't Court rules out PLO talks Jail chief sacked 14 held for US embassy sacking

IMF talks set for April 2 slain in family row Last minute snag hits arms talks Protestants snub Ulster peace bid Inflation rate soars Frontier feuding sparks attack New bid to break hostage stalemate

stall stance stem sway swindle

Peace effort in Lebanon stalled New stance toward power cuts Rainy season stems refugee exit President fails to sway union-strike set Stock swindle in NY

thwart

being

Honduras attack thwarted

ties trim

Vietnam ties soon? Senate trims budget

trigger vie void vow weigh

to cause to compete to determine to be invalid a solemn promise to consider

Killing triggers riot Irish top ranks vie for office Voting law voides by court Police chief vows to catch kidnappers Bush weights tax increase

Journalistic English Tutoring 2:

Lead

2.1. Functions and characteristics of the lead Lead distinguishes news from other forms of literature. Usually lead refers to the first paragraph or first few paragraphs including the latest, foremost intriguing facts. It is either to summarize, or to outline, or to brief the news in order to lead the readers to the depth of the story. Western journalists regard the lead as the cream of the news as well as a show window of their writing style. 2.1.1. Succinct Being brief, simple, plain, and concise, a lead is usually of about 25 words or at most 35 words by one sentence. 2.1.2. Informative A lead should tells of the essence of the news within the fewest words. 2.1.3. Intriguing Try to attract the readers interest through its wording. Now try to compare the following examples. Examples: 1) Police Chief I. W. Carmichael announced today two children were killed outside Prospect Park, at Jackson Ave. and 16th St., N. W., when a recklessly driven automobile jumped the curb near where they were playing at 2 P. M. and ran them down. 2) Two children were killed and 12 others injured today when an automobile hit them outside Prospect Park. 3) Two children at play were killed and 12 others injured today when a speeding sports car jumped the curb outside Prospect Park and ran them down. 2.2. types and features of the lead 2.2.1. Summary lead or roundup lead BARCELONA Chinas woman swimmer Zhuang Yong took the first swimming title of the 25th Olympic Games by winning the womens 100 metre freestyle in 54.64 seconds here yesterday. 2.2.2. Main fact lead

Sixteen-year-old Li Hongmei has become China s most successful heart transplant patient. 2.2.3. Descriptive lead Old women sit stoically on cots, and portly men sweat in the heat, oblivious to the youngsters at play around them. This camp for Bosnian refugees is in Vienna, but it could be almost anywhere in central Europe. 2.2.4. Direct address lead or personal lead This is my first dispatch from China in 22 years. The news I have to report would have been incredible only a few weeks ago Americans are welcome in the Peoples Republic. If you live another 50 years, you will probably be a millionaire. However, a loaf of bread will cost $ 37, a car $ 280,000 and a home $ 3.4 million. 2.2.5. Quotation lead These people tried to loot and burn our city and we intend to make them pay for it, said Mr Iran Reiner, the tough-talking district attorney of Los Angles County. This was Sunday afternoon, as he stood in the fifth-floor courtroom of the Criminal Courthouse supervising the arraignments of some of the more than 9,000 people arrested during three days of the worst civil disorders in recent United States history. 2.2.6. Suspense lead Two weeks ago Sue Macrady bought a stack of guidebooks to national parks, planning a cross-country trip she and her husband were to begin today. Tao days later she bought a coffin. 2.2.7. Delayed lead or multi-paragraph lead MOSCOWWhen lunch was over Galina Scherbakova, 72, just did not want to leave. She stayed on long after the dishes were cleared off, admiring the blue tablecloth, the fresh yellow tulip on it and marveling about the food she had just eaten: U. S. military leftovers from the Gulf War. We had three courses today, said the poverty-stricken pensioner, one of the first to partake of the U. S. humanitarian aid that began arriving here Monday by the planeload. Weve never had that much before. 2.2.8. Contrast lead While nine survivors of the Nanjing plane crash last Friday have recovered sufficiently to be out of danger, six others who survived initially died to raise the

death to 106. 2.2.9. Question lead How long could Margaret Tancock resist the pull of the rag trade? There were no plans when the former queen of the local boutique scene won the franchise for the Body Shops in Hong Kong three years ago. 2.2.10. Anecdotal lead At 14, Kent Conrad figured he d be ready for the Senate in 1986 or 1988. twenty-four years later, Conrad laughs at the memory. At 38, about to become North Dakotas new senator, he says I guess I was a serious kid. 2.2.11. Combined lead or multiple element lead Riot police were involved in further clashes with a crowd of about 300 early today as bread riots in the Ely district of Cardiff broke out again for the third night running. 2.2.12. Label lead or empty lead Prime Minister Chung Won Shik of South Korea will meet the North Korea leader Kim II Sung, during a visit to North Korea next week, state television said Tuesday. The report could not be confirmed.

Journalistic English Tutoring 3:

Dateline Source

3.1. Dateline Newspapers not only carry stories sent by their correspondents or reporters, but also news dispatches provided by different news agencies, especially for those local or district newspapers. Therefore, news dispatches are the major news source for most of the newspapers. Major news agencies in the world are: AP (Associated Press), UPI (United Press International), Reuter (The Reuter Ltd), AFP (LAgence France Press), BAGHDAD, Nov. 26 (Reuter)Iraqs health minister described here today the Wests refusal to unfreeze Iraqi assets to allow Baghdad to buy life-saving drugs as the crime of the century. The Times, Nov. 27, 1991 1) LONDON, Nov. 22 (UPI)A dull, unassuming stamp with a smudgy post-mark fetched a record of 33,000 pounds sterling ($59,000) for a 20th century British stamp at a London auction today, Sothebys Auction said here. The New York Times, Nov. 23, 1991

3.2. News source 3.2.1. Accurate news source TIRANA More than 30 people were killed when fire broke out after a hungry crowd rushed a store house, Albanian radio was quoted as saying. The Christian Science Monitor, Dec. 11, 1991