Phrasing headings

Headings should be as brief and as informative as possible, and they should be written in parallel form. That is, all headings on the same level of organization should use the same grammatical form. The most common styles of heading are shown here.

Web pages tend to have more headings than other types of documents to help readers find information quickly on a computer screen. If you are designing a Web page, consider what readers might want to find on your site, and clearly connect your headings and content to readers’ needs. For example, a Web site designed to attract runners for a road race might include the headings Registration, Race Route, Training, and Sponsors.

-ing phrases as headings

Safeguarding the earth’s atmosphere

Charting the path to sustainable energy

Conserving global forests

Triggering the technological revolution

Noun phrases as headings

The economics of slavery

The sociology of slavery

The psychological effects of slavery

Questions as headings

How do I buy shares?

How do I redeem shares?

What is the history of the fund’s performance?

What are the tax consequences of investing in the fund?

Brochure with questions as headings

Imperative sentences as headings

Fertilize roses in the fall.

Feed them again in the spring.

Prune roses when dormant and after flowering.

Brochure with imperative sentences as headings

Related topic:

Formatting headings