Page 391 - Gabrijela Kišiček and Igor Ž. Žagar (eds.), What do we know about the world? Rhetorical and argumentative perspectives, Digital Library, Educational Research Institute, Ljubljana 2013
P. 391
Representation and Reception 391
of Paraphrase in Newspaper
Headlines
Anita Runjić-Stoilova and Josip Galić,
University of Split
Summary
Newspaper headlines are specific types of texts in which one or more words an-
nounce the following article. The basic functions of the headline are to inform the
reader and attract his/her attention. In order to successfully inform, the headline has
to provide answers to one or more basic questions (who, what, where, when, why).
The headline also has to attract the attention of the reader by the means of figurative-
ness which arises not only from the positional prominence and the graphic features
of the headline, but also as a result of specific linguistic combination and arrange-
ment of various parts of the message within the whole.
The paraphrase is a common figure in newspaper headlines. This term signifies a ba-
sic rhetorical process of statement development, as well as a macro-structural stylis-
tic figure. With regard to discursive basis, we differentiate between four types of par-
aphrase: linguistic, commentary, literary and ludic.
The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of ludic paraphrases in dai-
ly (Slobodna Dalmacija and Vjesnik) and weekly newspapers (Nacional and Globus)
as well as to test the knowledge and understanding of modified phrases used in the
headlines on two groups of selected examinees. The initial hypothesis about the dif-
ferences in the usage of paraphrases between daily and weekly newspapers was con-
firmed. The analysis of percentages of paraphrased headlines recognized by exami-
nees revealed different levels of understanding.
Key words: journalistic discourse, figurativeness, newspaper headlines, paraphrase
of Paraphrase in Newspaper
Headlines
Anita Runjić-Stoilova and Josip Galić,
University of Split
Summary
Newspaper headlines are specific types of texts in which one or more words an-
nounce the following article. The basic functions of the headline are to inform the
reader and attract his/her attention. In order to successfully inform, the headline has
to provide answers to one or more basic questions (who, what, where, when, why).
The headline also has to attract the attention of the reader by the means of figurative-
ness which arises not only from the positional prominence and the graphic features
of the headline, but also as a result of specific linguistic combination and arrange-
ment of various parts of the message within the whole.
The paraphrase is a common figure in newspaper headlines. This term signifies a ba-
sic rhetorical process of statement development, as well as a macro-structural stylis-
tic figure. With regard to discursive basis, we differentiate between four types of par-
aphrase: linguistic, commentary, literary and ludic.
The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of ludic paraphrases in dai-
ly (Slobodna Dalmacija and Vjesnik) and weekly newspapers (Nacional and Globus)
as well as to test the knowledge and understanding of modified phrases used in the
headlines on two groups of selected examinees. The initial hypothesis about the dif-
ferences in the usage of paraphrases between daily and weekly newspapers was con-
firmed. The analysis of percentages of paraphrased headlines recognized by exami-
nees revealed different levels of understanding.
Key words: journalistic discourse, figurativeness, newspaper headlines, paraphrase
