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About this quote

What does it mean?
Stein criticizes headlines for replacing content rather than creating or explaining it.
In plain terms
Headlines often replace substance instead of adding to it.
What can you take from it?
Titles should add meaning, not just substitute it.

Where it applies

  • news writing
  • marketing
  • information consumption

Putting it to work

  • Writing better headlines
  • Critiquing media
  • Designing labels

Questions to consider

  • Do headlines inform or distract?
  • What is the purpose of a title?

Another view

Some headlines efficiently summarize content without replacing it.

More from Gertrude Stein

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  2. Perhaps I am not I even if my little dog knows me but anyway I like what I have and now it is today. ~ Ch. 5

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  3. What was the use of my having come from Oakland it was not natural to have come from there yes write about if I like or anything if I like but not there, there…

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