Headlines
Immigration soars 20%
in a year
The post modifier is ‘soars 20% in a year’ as immigration is
the main noun. This headline is quite short and to the fact. The fact it has a
statistic in automatically makes the audience think its reliable therefore it
emphasises the whole matter.
King Elvis Dies
The pre modifier is ‘King’ as it’s before the head noun
‘Elvis’. The post modifier is dies. The headline is short and to the point as
it is quite an emotive topic therefore the headline doesn’t’ have to be as long
winded to catch the reader’s attention. The word ‘King’ isn’t a true
representation of Elvis as he wasn’t the king of the country; however he was
known as the king of music/pop.
The migrant baby boom
The post modifier is ‘baby boom’ as it’s describing the noun
‘migrant’. As migrants are in the news a lot at the moment, the word migrant is
automatically going to get readers.
Sick Queen rushed to
hospital
The pre modified noun is ‘sick’ as it is before the head
noun ‘Queen’ the post modified noun is ‘rushed to hospital. The headline is
short and snappy as it is a serious matter being discussed therefore it doesn’t
need to be lengthy. The queen is a famous figure therefore its very important
and many people would want to know more about the story.
1D Zayn cheats on his
little mix
The pre modifier is ‘1D’ as Zayn is the noun, the person.
Without the ‘1D’ people may not know who Zayn is and why he’s known. The fact
that ‘1D’ is used automatically makes the readers interested as they are a
well-known, iconic band.
The real truth
The post modifier is ‘the real’ and it makes the truth
emphasised so that the readers feel as though they’re getting a reliable,
truthful source. The head noun is the ‘truth’ the word truth is a strong,
definite noun.
Lawless Britain
The pre modifier is ‘lawless’ it is implying that Britain
has no laws and is a care free country. This may give the audience a feeling of
fear and want to read it as the head noun ‘Britain’ is so short and to the
point.
Mexico swears in openly gay
mayor
This is designed to shock, many people still have problems
with openly gay or transgendered people holding positions of power or
publicity, so it could accomplish that purpose with a select audience.
Otherwise, it is factual, as it tells us that the mayor is openly gay in the
pre-modifier. This could affect the above-mentioned audience though.
Good analysis of noun phrases in headlines! Beginning to explore pragmatic meanings and some of the more emotive choices in the headlines.
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