Who doesn’t know that approximately 7,500,000 posts are published every single day? And that means an equal number of headlines are created daily too! As a writer, it’s more important than ever to think about how to stand out in the sea of content and headlines.
If there’s one thing you remember, let it be that your headline is your article’s first handshake with the audience. Think of it as 80% of your investment in your content because the same percentage of readers typically don’t move past the headline. Now, this is both an alarming fact and a huge opportunity. The decision is yours: how will you perceive this?
Will you let your headline get lost in the content sea, or will you make it compelling enough to stop your readers in their tracks? Ideally, you’d want to go for the latter option. In that case, you need to know which headlines work best, why, and how to structure them right!
This article will give you the inside scoop on crafting headlines and why AP style headlines are the best choice for you.
Can Every Headline Be an AP Headline?
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Let’s get this out of the way: AP style is not a perfect fit for every headline. While that’s true, it turns out to be an ideal format for most of them. Put aptly, the AP style is about being clear, concise, and to the point. That’s why it’s perfect for news articles, blogs, and anything that needs to get straight to the facts.
But if your article leans toward a more creative or emotional angle, you might need a more flexible headline style. AP style works best when you’re focusing on hard facts or actions, where brevity is key, but it might not work for something punchier.
For example, news stories thrive under AP’s rules, but for opinion pieces or feature articles, you might want to take a little more liberty with your headline. So, while not every headline will fit the AP style perfectly, it’s undoubtedly a great choice for most content types, especially when all you want is to create headlines that grab attention quickly.
7 Important Rules for Writing AP Style Headlines
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Follow the 7 rules provided next while writing an AP style headline to make sure it works for you plus your content!
1. Use sentence case.
To capitalize or not to capitalize that is the question, and the answer’s a tricky one because you’ll find conflicting views on the internet. But when in doubt, keep it simple!
In AP style, headlines should be written in sentence case, meaning only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized. This keeps it overall simple and readable, making it clear without overcomplicating the message. The crux? Instead of all-caps, get straight to the point!
2. Keep it active.
Active voice is a must in AP style. Using active verbs makes your headline punchier and more direct. Instead of saying, ‘The report was released by the company,’ go for ‘Company releases report.’ It helps you keep it lively and ensures readers immediately understand who took the action.
3. Limit punctuation.
AP style doesn’t support unnecessary punctuation in the headline. You usually avoid extra commas, colons, or exclamation marks that can distract from the main point. Stick with the basics, e.g. periods and hyphens, to keep your headline clean and easy to digest.
5. Avoid unimportant words.
AP style’s beauty is in its simplicity. Cut out any filler words that don’t add value to the headline. Instead of saying ‘Company announces the release of a new product,’ just say ‘Company announces new product.’ Every word should serve a purpose, making the entire thing short & sharp.
5. Be specific.
Don’t leave readers guessing. It increases the chances they’ll click away to your competitors! Instead of vague phrases like ‘Imp update,’ pick specifics, e.g. ‘Company announces new product line.’ This makes your headline clear, telling readers exactly what to expect.
6. Use numbers when needed.
The headline style under discussion encourages using numerals for numbers 10 and above. It makes it more scannable and impactful. So, instead of saying ‘More than ten people attended,’ say ‘13 people attended.’ It’s because discrete numbers are easier to process and understand!
7. Keep it short & sweet.
Aim for conciseness! Headlines should be short enough to be skimmed quickly but still pack a punch. Stick to around 6-8 words, making sure each word counts. The end goal is to capture attention fast, so keep it straightforward and avoid fluff!
Benefits of AP Style Headlines
Are you ready to explore the benefits of writing AP style headlines? Let’s jump in!
- Save time — AP-style headlines are huge time-savers! They’re quick to write and easy to read.
- Boost clarity — By sticking to simple, concise wording, this style makes your message crystal clear. Readers don’t have to guess what your headline means.
- Increase engagement — Since an AP headline is direct and NN (no-nonsense), it encourages people to click, read, and share.
- Improve readability — With the focus on sentence case and active voice, your AP headline is more natural and less jarring.
- Ensure consistency — It provides a clear set of rules, so your headlines look professional across all your content without having to second-guess.
Check out our amazing guide to know how you can make a headline more compelling!
11 Best Examples of AP Style Headlines to Boost Your Content
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The following headlines are a great source of inspiration for you to craft your own headline for a blog post. If you want to use any as-is, feel free to do so!
Local café introduces zero-waste initiative to cut food waste
This theme works because it’s easy to grasp and gets right to the point. It paints a clear picture of what’s happening. A nearby café is taking concrete action to cut down on food waste, which gets people who care about the planet excited. The term ‘zero waste initiative’ is catching on fast, hinting that the café is doing something current, good, and responsible.
Wildlife sanctuary reports record number of endangered species births
This AP-style headline catches your eye by telling a positive story with real impact. It’s easy to understand, and the words ‘record number of endangered species births’ make it pop. It gets people excited, especially those who care about protecting wildlife, and gives them hope that work to save endangered animals is paying off.
Police launch campaign to combat rising online scams
The headline above grabs people’s attention because it discusses a problem many face today — online scams. It makes readers feel like something’s being done to help them by saying the police have started a campaign. The headline attracts your attention by focusing on a real problem and a fix that could make a difference in your life.
New study reveals surprising benefits of intermittent fasting
The headline grabs attention by hinting at something out-of-the-ordinary with the ‘surprising benefits’ of intermittent fasting. This sparks curiosity and offers new worthwhile insights. As intermittent fasting is a hot health trend, the headline pulls on that thread luring readers in to discover more about the research.
Historic theater set to reopen after decade-long restoration
Now, this headline grabs attention because it sheds light on something big; a big-time fixing-up has taken ten years. And now an old-timey showplace is ready for showtime again. It attracts by directing you to how cool the big comeback is. Adding ‘historic’ makes it even more exciting, sparking interest in the theater’s story and why it means a ton to the local community.
Nonprofit to provide 1,000 scholarships for underprivileged youth
This one hits the mark with the direct message of a noteworthy beneficial deed. The promise of providing 1,000 scholarships wins the readers’ focus, especially of those interested in education and social good. It highlights the nonprofit’s mission to support underprivileged youth, making readers feel inspired and curious about how they can get involved or be of help.
Experts warn of potential water shortages by 2035
Water levels are dropping super fast and it’s becoming one of the largest global concerns. Experts predict severe shortages by 2035. This specific and forward-looking headline nails it, urging action on conservation and resource management. It makes you think about what’s coming. It’s not fear-mongering, just telling the facts, but still enough to leave you concerned about future water access.
Chef brings ancient recipes back to life in new cookbook
This AP-style headline grabs attention because it not only is nostalgic but also promises discovery. It makes you curious about the power of a cookbook that can bridge the gap between historical food items and present recipe trends. This urges you to read the article to turn forgotten recipes into something alive again.
Startup creates a device to monitor indoor air quality in real time
Imagine knowing what’s in your air at the click of a button. It’s not possible at the moment, but this headline can win anyone’s attention in seconds when it claims that it is. It tells about the startup device that promises real-time air quality monitoring to keep your space safe to breathe in. The headline is functional and clear, appealing to anyone who values health and tech-savvy solutions.
Researchers discover a link between sleep quality and productivity
Who doesn’t want to stay productive all day? This headline attracts readers of almost all ages by highlighting a clear connection researchers found between sleep quality and productivity. It suggests that better sleep leads to improved productivity, drawing readers in to explore the article and uncover how to make it happen.
Study finds 60% of employees prefer hybrid work models
‘Study finds 60% of employees prefer hybrid work models’ is the perfect example of a crisp, catchy AP style headline. The word study lends credibility, signaling that the information is based on authentic research. Including a specific number like ‘60%’ makes it impactful and more likely to grab attention.
A strong headline does half the job of drawing a reader in, while the subheadline takes over to keep them hooked. Read our guide to learn expert tips to craft a compelling subheadline!
TLDR; Helpful Tips for Writing an Engaging AP Style Headline
Before writing an AP headline, be sure to consider these helpful tips to engage your audience!
- Use active verbs to spark interest and grab attention.
- Pose intriguing questions to spark curiosity in readers’ minds.
- Keep headlines short, i.e. under 10 words is often ideal.
- Prioritize clarity over cleverness to ensure immediate understanding.
- Incorporate proper nouns sparingly but effectively for relevance.
- Highlight ‘why’ or ‘how’ for more engaging, solution-focused headlines.
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FAQs
Q. Should numbers be spelled out in AP style headlines?
Headlines in AP style use numerals for numbers 10 and above, but numbers one through nine should be spelled out.
Q. Are abbreviations allowed in AP style headlines?
Yes, the AP style permits certain abbreviations in headlines. For example, the UK for the United Kingdom and CEO for chief executive officer.
Q. Can AP style headlines use slang or informal language?
AP style prefers clear and concise language, but informal terms may be acceptable in headlines if they are widely understood and appropriate for the audience.
Final Thoughts
AP-style headlines don’t leave room for any confusion. They’re straightforward, direct, and pretty effective, making it more likely that readers will read on. Such headlines are perfect for today’s readers who want to get the gist of a story in seconds. They scream, ‘Here’s the scoop,’ without all the extra noise. In this article, we covered pretty much everything about AP style headlines. Now you’re all set to write the next best headline for your article!
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