2.2.2

Headings & Subheadings

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Headings

Headings are used to help structure and organise your writing in some non-fiction texts. Non-fiction texts include reports, reviews, articles, informative texts and speeches.

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What is a heading?

  • A heading is like a title but not quite the same.
    • A title summarises the entire piece of writing.
    • A heading summarises a particular point or points that are closely connected.
  • A heading acts as a marker of a new point of discussion.
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Creating headings

  • When planning your writing, you should write out the main points that you know will help your argument.
    • The points you write out will become your headings.
  • You can also write headings by summarising the main points into a word or two (5 words at the most).
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Where to put headings

  • A heading is usually on its own line in a text.
  • A heading is on its own line so it clearly stands out.
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The power of headings

  • Headings signpost your discussion by helping the reader get an instant overview of what your next point will be.
  • Headings also allow the reader to navigate around your writing.
    • The reader can skip some sections if necessary to get to the point that is most relevant to them.
  • Headings also break up longer texts making them easier to process.

Subheadings

Subheadings help organise non-fiction writing by signposting new points.

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Using subheadings

  • Sometimes a major idea will be complex and involve multiple points.
    • Each point can be closely related.
    • But each point may benefit from being discussed separately.
    • Subheadings could be used to separate the closely related points.
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Creating subheadings

  • Once you have identified your main points, each separate idea in the main points can be separated using subheadings.
    • Each subheading should summarise what is in that section (using up to 5 words if necessary).
  • Each subheading should be on its own line in your text so it clearly stands out.

Jump to other topics

1Spelling

2Punctuation

3Grammar

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