Explain the concept of reported speech in newspaper headlines.

Reported speech in newspaper headlines refers to the way in which direct quotes or statements made by individuals are reported indirectly in news headlines. It is a common practice in journalism to summarize or paraphrase the original statement while still conveying the essence of the message accurately.

When reporting speech in newspaper headlines, certain conventions are followed to ensure clarity and brevity. These conventions include the use of reporting verbs, changes in verb tense, and the omission of certain words or phrases.

Firstly, reporting verbs such as "say," "claim," "announce," or "declare" are used to attribute the statement to the source. These verbs help to establish the credibility of the information being reported. For example, a headline might read, "President Declares New Economic Policy."

Secondly, changes in verb tense are often made when reporting speech in newspaper headlines. Direct quotes are typically reported in the past tense, regardless of when they were originally spoken. This is done to maintain consistency and to clearly distinguish between the original statement and the reporting of it. For instance, a direct quote like "I will lower taxes," would be reported as "He said he would lower taxes" in a newspaper headline.

Lastly, newspaper headlines often omit certain words or phrases to keep the headline concise and attention-grabbing. Non-essential words such as articles, pronouns, and conjunctions are frequently left out. This allows for a more impactful headline while still conveying the main message accurately. For example, a direct quote like "We are working towards a brighter future" might be reported as "Working towards a brighter future" in a newspaper headline.

Overall, reported speech in newspaper headlines is a technique used to summarize and convey the essence of a direct quote or statement made by an individual. By using reporting verbs, changing verb tense, and omitting non-essential words, journalists are able to present the information in a concise and impactful manner while maintaining accuracy and credibility.