Assignment 3

The headlines (a-j) contain special 'headline words' (see the complete list). Each 'headline word' has a more common equivalent in 1-25. Match 'headline words' with their common equivalents.

a) ARMS SWOOP: TWO HELD

b) TORIES BACK PITS AXE

c) PEACE TALKS HEAD FOR SPLIT

d) NUCLEAR SCARE RIDDLE

e) GO-AHEAD FOR SCHOOLS PROBE

f) PRINCESS TO RE-WED PUZZLE

g) PM HITS OUT IN JOBLESS ROW

h) DEATH TOLL RISES IN DISCO BLAZE

i) PRESIDENT OUSTED IN COUP DRAMA

j) SMOKING BAN STAYS OFFICIAL

1 disagreement
2 discussions ..
3 raid ....
4 confusing news .
5 approval .
6 revolution
7 prohibition .
8 the unemployed .
9 investigation
10 Conservatives.
11 coalmines
12 criticises
13 arrested
14 number killed
15 remove by force
16 mystery ...
17 marry again
18 fire ..
19 the Prime Minister
20 remains
21 public alarm
22 cuts ..
23 dispute .
24 armaments .
25 with legal authority.

Assignment 4

In British or American newspapers find at least 10 headlines that make use of particularly expressive words. Try to find words that are especially appropriate for headlines because they are both brief and clear (such as ‘clash’, ‘deal’, ‘tough’, ‘split’, ‘quit’, ‘push’, ‘boost’, etc.).

Assignment 5

In British or American newspapers find at least 10 headlines that make use of different expressive means and stylistic devices (tropes, allusions, puns, quotations, idioms, similes, etc.). Comment on their function in a particular headline after skimming the article.

Assignment 6

Comment on the following headline from the point of view of the used stylistic devices. The first paragraphs of the article from the International Herald Tribune will help you.

The Sleigh Stops on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON - Playing Santa Claus to Congress, two delivery workers cruised the corridors of the House office building this week, pushing oversized carts piled high with presents from lobbyists.

In the Senate office building next door, another messenger loaded with gourmet fruit baskets was hopping from office to office to drop them off.

So what is the thoughtful lobbyist giving to members of Congress this holiday season?

From Ralph Vinovich of the Tobacco Institute, it’s a hefty box of gourmet oranges and grapefruits for the Senate Republican cloakroom...

lobbyists - those who lobby Congress to try to achieve their aims

Assignment 7

A Financial Times article headlined ‘Asia’s newest tiger tries to ride a storm’ reports that the Philippines is working hard to avoid following Thailand into financial turmoil. It also mentions that the Philippines likes to see itself as Asia’s newest tiger. Identify expressive means used in the headline trying to connect it to the English readers’ cultural background.

Assignment 8

Interpret the following headline from the point of view of expressive means and stylistic devices. The gist of the article from ‘The St. Petersburg Times’ should be clear from several paragraphs given below.