Newspaper Terminology

A line indicating who wrote the story. Oftentimes, this will also include the writer's title.

• Caption

• Byline

• Headline

• Dateline

This section of the newspaper contains stories and news related to business.

• Entertainment Section

• Sports Section

• Local Section

• Business Section

A brief description underneath a photo that explains what is happening in the photo.

• Masthead

• Sub Headline

• Caption

• Lead

A recurring opinion-based article.

• Column

• Hard News

• Jumpline

• Lead

A line of text that states where the story was physically written.

• Caption

• Headline

• Jumpline

• Dateline

An article in a newspaper or other periodical that presents the opinions of the newspaper, publisher, editor, or editors.

• Editorial

• Column

• Op/ed

• Print News

This section of the newspaper contains stories related to entertainment. This may include movie and play reviews, stories about restaurants, and things to do in town.

• Local Section

• Sports Section

• Entertainment Section

• Business Section

The first page of the newspaper. This page contains the most timely, relevant, and newsworthy stories.

• Lead

• Back Page

• Masthead

• Front Page

Breaking news stories that contain timely and relevant information. The most newsworthy stories are placed on the front page of the paper.

• Soft News

• Hard News

• Print News

• Medium News

Text formatted in a large type setting that summarizes that story and grabs the readers' attention.

• Subtitle

• Sub Headline

• Dateline

• Headline