SHORT SYNONYMS

Use short, vigorous words. Headline writers usually have a vocabulary all their own. They learn to think in terms of short synonyms for longer expressions when writing headlines. Many copy-editing texts contain lists of short synonyms for headline use. Note the following examples: l Named for appointed or elected l Set for arrange or schedule

Win for victory Ex for former Job for appointment or position OK for accept, approve or adopt Try for attempt Vet for veteran Hike for raise or increase Tell for reveal or inform

In addition to these synonyms, many more are commonly used in Navy newspapers. Some of these are as follows:

Sub for submarine

Flyer or pilot for aviator

Jet for jet-propelled aircraft

All hands for entire ship's company

Ships for reenlists

Crew for crew members

Plane for aircraft or airplane

XO for executive officer

CO or skipper for commanding officer or captain

SPLITS

Do not split words, phrases, proper nouns or compound nouns between lines. Note the following examples:

Words:

5,000 PO1 advancements predicted off September examinations

Phrases:

Crew members of USS Basil Fome visit Funafuti

Proper Names:

Capt. Robert J. Matron assumes command of HC-16

Compound Nouns:

Saufley chief petty officers sponsor orphans' picnic

LINE BALANCE

Try to balance headlines typographically. Consider the following examples:

Unbalanced:

Navy, Coast Guard icebreakers save U.K. ship

Balanced:

Navy, Coast Guard icebreakers rescue grounded U.K. corvette

ABBREVIATIONS

You should use commonly known and accepted abbreviations when they are appropriate. Do not be afraid to use Navy abbreviations for ships, aircraft, ratings, ranks, commands, titles, and so forth, in ship and station publications.

The following are some commonly used Navy abbreviations:

CPO for chief petty officer

PO1, P02 and P03 for petty officer grades

ComRats for commuted rations

NCO for noncommissioned officer

LDO for limited duty officer

GQ for general quarters

SecNav for Secretary of the Navy

CNO for Chief of Naval Operations

Use these and other Navy abbreviations only in ship or station publications. Never use them in press releases to civilian news media. For further information, consult the latest edition of The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual.