Headings & Subheadings
English Language: KS3, topic 2.2.2
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Headings & Subheadings
Which of these are true about subheadings?