HEADLINE VARIANTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize the most common variations of standard headlines.

Figure 9-7. - Standing head.

Figure 9-8. - Jump head.

Figure 9-9. - Hammer head.

There are countless variations of headline styles, all of which are viewed in terms of their visual impact when used with basic headline styles. Some of these variants are explained in the following text.

STANDING HEAD

The standing head (fig. 9-7) is essentially a label used for regular or recurring content, such as sports and chaplains' columns. It does not change from issue to issue.

JUMP HEAD

The jump head (fig. 9-8) is designed to help the reader find a portion of a story continued from another

page. The jump head uses one or two key words from the headline that introduced the story. It is set flush left followed by the words "Continued from Page ##," usually set in boldface body type (it also can be set in italic). A two-point rule maybe used to extend from the side of the head over the width of the article.

HAMMER HEAD

Often called a reverse kicker, the hammer head (fig. 9-9) is set twice the size of the main head, set flush left and is no wider than half the width of the headline area.

Figure 9-10. - Tripod head.

Figure 9-11. - Wicket head.

Figure 9-12. - Novelty head.

TRIPOD HEAD

The tripod head (fig. 9-10) is a single, short line of larger type set to the left of two lines of smaller type. The tripod portion (larger wording) should be twice the size of the definition or main headline. For example, a 36-point tripod would dictate that the main head be set in 18-point type to give the true tripod appearance. Punctuation in the form of a colon is required when the tripod conveys a separate thought.

WICKET HEAD

The wicket head (fig. 9-1 1) is a tripod in reverse (short line of larger type set to the right of two lines of smaller type). The colon is not used in the wicket. Although it is seldom used, on occasion, you may consider it to vary your newspaper design.

NOVELTY HEAD

The novelty head (fig. 9-12) features typographical tricks, such as setting part of the head upside down, using an ornate typeface or substituting artwork as characters. Use the novelty headline sparingly with appropriate feature articles. Overuse of this headline may lead to your readership questioning the credibility of the newspaper.