Headlines, Cutlines and Bylines
Rules for writing headlines, subheads, cutlines and bylines for university publications and news releases.
Navigating the Headlines, Cutlines and Bylines Page
Headlines and Subheads
A good headline is critical for grabbing readers' interest and making them want to read the story. It should be accurate and concise with a creative snap.
Character limit
Main headlines must be 70 characters or less, including spaces. If you can keep it under 60 characters, even better.
Capitalization
Capitalize all words of four characters or more in main headlines, as well as proper nouns of any length.
Acronyms
Use acronyms sparingly. No more than one acronym or abbreviation should be used in a single headline.
Quotation marks
If a headline needs quote marks, use single quotes, not double.
Periods
No periods at the end of headlines. The rare exception is a headline that includes two sentences. Use a period at the end of the first sentence only.
Subheads
All stories should also have a subhead. Subheads complement or add new information for readers. Subheads can be up to 100 characters.
Subhead capitalization
Subheads are capitalized like sentences: The first word is capitalized, then only proper nouns.
Subhead content
Try not to repeat words or phrases from the main head in the subhead. The subhead should tell readers something not in the main headline.
Cutlines
A cutline, or caption, should tell readers what is happening in the photo. Don't assume the reader has read the entire story.
Tense and structure
Cutlines should generally be written in present tense and complete sentences.
Length
Most cutlines should be limited to one or two sentences.
Content
The cutline should begin by describing what the photo depicts. Don't simply say "John Doe (left) and Jane Doe pose for a photo." If something more general is needed to tie the photo to the story, use that material in the second sentence. Photos intended solely to illustrate a concept are an exception, and the cutline simply needs to tie the photo to the story.
Example
- Worse: Emily Williams (left), a UM junior from Hattiesburg, poses for a photo with a young friend as a Big Sis. Submitted photo
- Better: Emily Williams (left), a UM junior from Hattiesburg, mentors a young friend as a Big Sis during a service project to package food for Lovepacks, an Oxford nonprofit that provides supplemental food for Oxford school-age children in need. Williams credits a scholarship established by an Ole Miss alumnus with giving her the freedom to serve the community through various volunteer activities. Submitted photo
Identifying people
For photos of individuals or small groups, identify the people with full names and their titles or affiliations. It's generally clearer to go left to right. Spell out "left" and "right."
Quotation marks
As with headlines, any quoted material should use single quotes, not double.
Photo credits
Most photos should be credited. End the cutline with a credit that gives the photographer's name and affiliation (e.g., Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services). No period after credit lines.
Submitted photos
Photos submitted without a credit line will be identified as "Submitted photo"
Bylines
All news releases should include the writer's name. Stories submitted without a byline will be credited as "Staff Report."