Making sausage ain't pretty
"Oink, oink, critics say of budget."
That was the lead headline on the front page yesterday. (Yes, I'm a bit behind.) It was atop an article about all the "extras" in the Guilford County budget. Some folks inside our newsroom wondered about the appropriateness of it. It certainly isn't a traditional headline, which might read more like "GOP criticizes fat in budget."
I liked it. It grabbed my attention, told me the story clearly in just six words and gave me something to point out to my wife at breakfast. Here's how ace copy editor, Kenwyn Caranna, came up with it.
While reading the article, I noted the repeated use by those critical of the budget of the word "pork" in describing certain items funded. I thought that using the sounds made by a pig in the headline would get the point across to readers in a direct, yet humorous manner, that some thought "pork-barrel politics" was in play. Most readers are familiar with the term "pork barrel politics" and I thought that they would be able to make the connection quickly, after hopefully being surprised and amused by the use of "oink, oink" in the headline. After all, "Oink" is just a fun word to say. And it rarely makes it into a headline.
I thought it worked. What about you?
Comments (2)
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I liked the headline. It wasn't your "traditional" budget, no need for a "traditional" headline.
Wish the "oink,oink" in the budget was as funny.
According to The Scoop, the longer it goes, the more we're finding out just how much pork is in this budget.
Posted on July 1, 2005 10:50 PM
It got my eye.Change is good.
Posted on July 2, 2005 4:29 AM