The Capital Letter - by BerlinBear
Hmm. I'm getting a sneaking suspicion that this bothers you tremendously. I have noticed headlines in the past that seem to distort what the article is saying. Normally, they are headlines designed to sensationalize or draw attention, you know, grab the reader... Doesn't it seem like that is what is happening here as well? Perhaps the anonymous headline penner thought 'Africa's third elected woman leader' wouldn't get as much notice.. ? Perhaps you ought to write a letter and complain. Works wonders for me. 
Well yes, Lindy, you're right that "Third woman leader" would make a rubbish headline, but why not a factually accurate "First woman president" or "First woman head of state", to which I'd have had no objection.
And yes, I just might write a letter. Good call.
Or 'new leader of liberia to tackle violence'. I didn't realise the people that wrote the articles didn't make up the headlines. I suppose there is some sense to that. But you're absolutely right bad headlining is crap and rife.
Good point (which was your point to begin with, haha)... Yes, I suppose it was just sloppy. And I'm with BadAunt, I too didn't realize that the author of the article doesn't make up the headline... seems to me, if I'm going to write something, I'd prefer to give it a title myself. Or is this something people actually go to school for.. heh. Nutty stuff. Learned yet another something on your blog..
Well, I could be wrong, but I was pretty sure that at big papers like the Guardian they have specialist headliners. You and KiZ have made me all unsure now. Perhaps someone who works in the industry can help us out.
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