December 5-11, 2005

Headache with headlines

Dear Dr English,

I know that news headlines give the news in short, but I want to make full sentences out of the headlines. I have tried several times, but donÕt know if they are correct or not. Please give me full sentences for these headlines:
BIRD-FLU CRISIS: Thaksin accused of misleading the public
Kantathi believes new start with KL possible
Big-screen awards due tonight
Labour officials ÒguttedÓ by graft charges
Seven people killed, 8 hurt in Sukhothai road mishap
Disaster zone in Chumphon

Thank you very much for your help with these headlines.
Daydreamer

There are some rules about writing headlines. These rules appear from time to time in Understand English, the neighbouring column on the left, since the column deals directly with explaining words, phrases or idioms that have appeared in news headlines.
Apart from the rules, readers should also know news jargon, which the Understand English column published in a long list about a year ago.
To help you understand news headlines in the future, IÕll tell you what news editors think of when they write headlines:

- Keep the headlines in the present tense and in most cases active voice (past tense verb form in headlines is in fact a passive voice of the present tense without the verb Òto beÓ)

- Omit verb Òto beÓ if it can be understood.

- Articles ÒaÓ and ÒtheÓ are also generally omitted but can be used for effect.

- Use abbreviations, short words, slang or jargon to keep the headlines short.

The full sentences to the news headlines from your letters are as follows:
BIRD-FLU CRISIS: Thaksin is accused of misleading the public.
Kanthathi believes that starting a new relationship with KL (Malaysia) is possible.
The big-movie awards (this news item refers to the Harvest of Talent awards) will be announced tonight.
(The morals of) officials from the Labour Department have been destroyed by corruption charges.
Seven people were killed and eight people were injured in an accident in Sukhothai.
Chumporn has been declared a disaster zone.
Happy reading!

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