This law is named after journalist and editor John Betteridge, who formulated it in an article published in the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph in 2001. The law states that "any headline which ends in a question mark can be answered by the word 'no'." In other words, headlines that are phrased as questions are usually false or misleading, and are not to be trusted.
The law is based on the observation that many headlines are written in a way that suggests they are asking a question, when in reality they are not. For example, a headline might read "Is John Smith the new Prime Minister?" when in fact the answer is already known, and the headline is simply trying to generate interest or clicks. In such cases, the headline is not actually asking a question, and so the law would not apply.
There are some exceptions to Betteridge's law, but they are rare. For example, a headline might read "Will John Smith be the new Prime Minister?" if the answer is not yet known but is about to be revealed. In this case, the question mark is legitimate and the headline is not misleading.
Overall, Betteridge's law is a good rule of thumb to remember when reading headlines, and it can help you avoid being misled by false or misleading headlines.
Can you start a headline with a question?
Yes, you can start a headline with a question. In fact, many headlines are written in the form of a question in order to engage the reader and encourage them to read on. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when writing headlines in the form of a question. First, make sure that the question is not too difficult to answer, as this can discourage readers from continuing. Second, make sure that the question is relevant to the content of the article, as this will help to keep readers engaged. Finally, avoid using questions that are too rhetorical in nature, as this can turn readers off.
What is a command headline? A command headline is a type of headline used in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. It is a headline that contains a command, typically issued by a manager or other senior employee, that must be carried out by staff. For example, a command headline might read "Increase production by 10%."
What are the rules for writing headlines?
The rules for writing headlines are:
1. Keep it short and sweet
2. Make it clear and concise
3. Use strong verbs
4. Use active voice
5. Use numbers and lists
6. Be creative Are questions good titles? There is no one answer to this question since it can depend on the particular question and on the context in which it is being asked. In general, however, questions can be good titles since they can help to focus the reader's attention on the main issue at hand. Additionally, questions can provoke thought and encourage discussion, which can be beneficial in many situations.
What makes a good headline?
There are a number of factors that can make a headline effective:
1. Clarity: The headline should be clear and concise, and should accurately reflect the content of the article.
2. Interest: The headline should be interesting and attention-grabbing, so that readers will want to read the article.
3. Relevance: The headline should be relevant to the target audience, so that they will be interested in the article.
4. SEO: The headline should be optimised for search engines, so that it will appear high in search results.
5. Timeliness: The headline should be timely, so that readers will see it as relevant and interesting.