ASSASSINATION OF HEZBOLLAH LEADER IN SOME SELECTED AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS' HEADLINES: A FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Headlines play a vital role in news articles, particularly when addressing complex subjects such as political statements and military actions. The term "headline" has evolved since its origins in the late 19th century, representing the prominent title of a report designed to capture attention and summarize content. As headlines transitioned from handwritten titles to catchy phrases in newspapers, their significance grew, especially in the digital age where they are crucial for online engagement. Different headline types, including straight news, feature, and command headlines, serve specific purposes and must be clear, engaging, and relevant, often incorporating keywords for better discoverability. The ideology of newspapers significantly influences headline crafting, reflecting the publication's beliefs and shaping readers' perceptions and emotional responses. The research methodology adopted in this study is an eclectic one which consists of Dor (2003) and Gattani (2005) and highlights the dual functions of headlines: umbrella functionality, which connects stories to readers, and macro/micro functionality. Macro functionality includes informative, indicative, and eye-catcher headlines, while micro functionality encompasses summarizing main ideas, highlighting key aspects, attracting attention, and aiding story selection.  The political landscape of the Middle East has been notably affected by figures like Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah, as demonstrated through impactful headlines that reflect their significance for regional stability. The study tries to identify the main functions of the headlines which are manipulated by the editors of the American newspapers which are New York Times (NYT) and the Washington Post (WP). The data consists of eight headlines taken from the American newspapers which are New York Times the Washington Post.