Using lower thirds to label stories have several names — generic supers, headlines, banners, descriptors, descriptions, labels (we’ll refer to them as generic supers in this column) — and they can be quite effective storytelling tools if done right.

First, when designing the template for your generic super graphics, many stations often use a standard lower third. This works well, but it’s also worth considering if a slightly different look might serve you better. For example, you may not need a second tier for generic supers and can therefore free up some space.

If you elect to use this approach, make sure you consider how you will transition from a generic super to a standard L3 should they appear one right after the other. If the two are drastically different sizes or layouts, it could look awkward to see the change on air. If your software and equipment can handle it, a subtle animated transition can be a great addition.

Some stations leave up generic supers throughout the entire story except when other lower thirds need to be shown. This can be an effective way to draw viewers’ attention to story topics and when one report ends and another begins, but remember it will add another graphical element to the screen that some may find distracting.

That said, constantly having generic supers and regular lower thirds appearing and disappearing can also be jarring. When deciding how to handle yours, consider how many headlines you’ll be using and how they will fit into the pacing of the show. It’s also worth noting that you don’t need to use generic supers for every show — for example, a morning newscast might benefit more from generic supers since viewers are often distracted getting ready for the day or working out in rooms where it may be harder to hear audio.

Text in generic supers should be clear and large enough to read easily on different screen sizes and from different distances. Avoid compressing the text’s width to fit more words. If you’re having problems fitting text in, consider that you may be using too many words or your template needs some tweaking.

When writing generic supers, use as few words as possible while still making your point clear. People should be able to tell the gist of the story immediately after reading it. It’s also a good idea to avoid using people’s names in generic supers unless they are very well known in your area; otherwise, viewers might not know who you’re talking about.

Generic supers are also a great opportunity for emphasizing localities in your coverage area by including location information in addition to the subject matter. It’s OK to occasionally get cute or clever with headlines, but these should be saved mostly for feature stories.

For stories that stretch across more than one newscast, it may be a good idea to designate an “official” generic super that’s used every time the story airs to help ensure consistency and help viewers identify the story faster. For continuing or team coverage, generic supers with an added logo or graphic are a nice touch as well.

Finally, be sure to have a review process in place to catch grammatical errors or misspellings before they show up on air.

HT to Andy for his help with this week’s column.

NewscastTip is a weekly column with tips for your newscasts. See past editions here. The column is available every Friday in our e-mail newsletter and posted here the following Wednesday. Sign up for the newsletter to get it delivered directly to your in box every week.

Michael P. Hill is founder and publisher of NewscastStudio. Contact him with your own tips and feedback.