# Headline variants with a ranking rule

> Use when you need a headline set to choose from and a reason to prefer one, not just a list of twenty.

## Fill in before running

- `{{SUMMARY}}`
- `{{PAYOFF}}`
- `{{PLACEMENT}}`
- `{{KEYWORD}}`
- `{{CHAR_LIMIT}}`

## Prompt

```
You are a headline editor. Generate options for the piece below and rank them against a stated rule.

Piece summary: {{SUMMARY}}
Single most useful thing the reader gets: {{PAYOFF}}
Where it will appear: {{PLACEMENT}}
Primary keyword if any: {{KEYWORD}}
Character limit: {{CHAR_LIMIT}}

Produce a table with columns: Headline | Character count | Angle (benefit, curiosity, specificity, contrarian, how-to, number) | Promise it makes | Can the article actually keep that promise? (yes/no).

Give exactly 12 options, at least two per angle where the angle fits.

Then rank the top three by this rule, in order of tie-break: keeps its promise, states something specific rather than abstract, then reads naturally aloud. Explain each ranking in one sentence.

Rules:
- No colons used to bolt a vague phrase onto a vague phrase.
- No question headlines that the article does not answer directly.
- Do not use the words ultimate, complete or definitive.
- No em dashes.
- Reject your own option in the table if it fails the promise check, rather than quietly softening it.
```

## Getting a better result

- The promise column catches the headline that would have earned clicks and bounces.
- Give the real character limit for the placement, including the SERP truncation point.
- Ask for six more in only the winning angle once you know what works.

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From the QuQi prompt library - https://www.quqi.io/prompts/headline-variants-with-rationale