Newspaper headlines

• Straight headlines
  They simply relate the main topic of the story. They are
  the most common types of headlines and are the easiest to understand.
  Example:
  Chechen grave points to Russian atrocities [TGM]
  
  
• Headlines that ask a question
  Most question headlines are not really typical
  questions at all. They are statements followed by a
  question mark. These question marks are used when:
  • The headline reports a future possibility
    Example:
    Are hotels in shape for games? [TGM]
  • There is some doubt about the truth or accuracy of the story.
    Example:
    Hidden Treasures In Your safe-Deposit Box? [TGM]
  
  
• Headlines that contain a quotation
  A quoted speech is used in headlines.
  It’s another way to begin a story with an unproven statement.
  Example:
  Mounties shot in Arctic ‘had no enemies at all’ [TGM]
  Quotation marks are used also to show a word is being used outside
  its normal meaning.
  Example:
  Microsoft service divulges e-mail addresses unless patrons ‘opt out’ [TGM]
  
  
• Feature headlines
  Headlines for some unusual or amusing stories don’t give
  a complete meaning. It’s often necessary to read the story to
  understand the headline.
  Example:
  Two shot dead at U.S. school [TGM]
  
  
• Double headlines
  They are two-part headlines of the same story. They are often
  used for major events.
  Example:
  An experiment in simplicity
  I WANT A LIFE [NP]

• Headlines are almost always in the simple present tense.
  Example:
  Landry sways his party [GT]
  
  
• The simple present tense is used to describe something
  happening in the present or in the past.
  Example:
  Continent fears outbreaks [GT]
  
  
• The simple present tense is used to describe both
  something happening now, and something that happens repeatedly.
  Example:
  Nasdaq tumbles on recession fears [NP]
  
  
• The present continuous is sometimes used, mostly to give
  the meaning of something that is developing. The auxiliary is/are
  is omitted.
  Example:
  Bikers flexing their muscles [GT]
  
  
• The auxiliaries: is/was/are/were and has/have/had are
  often omitted.
  Example:
  Microcell cutting Fido rates [TGM]
  
  
• The infinitive is used to refer to the future.
  Example:
  Liberals to spend $700-million on research and development
  projects [TGM]
  
  
• Articles and conjunctions are often omitted.
  Example:
  Investors snap up JDS, Nortel [TGM]
  
  
• In passive forms, the auxiliary is omitted and only the
  past participle is used.
  Example:
  Race marshal killed in Villeneuve crash [TG]
  
  
• A series of nouns used as adjectives is often blocked
  together without any verbs or conjunctions.
  Example:
  Electoral popularity key consideration [TG]
  
  
• Acronyms and abbreviations are often used in headlines.
  Example:
  IOC comes calling, but hero athletes on road [TGM]

Legend:

[TGM] stands for: The Globe and Mail, March 6, 2001
[NP]  stands for: National Post, February 28, 2001
[TG] stands for: The Gazette, March 4, 2001