Pragmatics Online

Clickbait headlines are generated via forward referencing.

“Clickbait headlines are also generated via forward referencing.”

Forward referencing includes demonstrative and personal pronouns, adverbs, definite articles, ellipsis, imperatives, interrogatives, and general nouns with implicit discourse deictic reference.

“By relying on Blom and Hansen's (2015) study, Scott (2022, 138) argues that forward referencing with demonstrative and personal pronouns, adverbs, definite articles, ellipsis, imperatives, interrogatives, and general nouns with implicit discourse deictic reference are all examples of forward referencing.”

The curiosity gap increases with definite demonstratives, which carry the assumption that the audience is already familiar with the topic of the article.

“The curiosity gap increases with these demonstratives, which carry the assumption that the audience is already familiar with the topic of the article.”

Clickbait headlines create an information gap that captures the audience's curiosity.

“In addition to creating an information gap that captures the audience's curiosity, clickbait headlines utilize various techniques to accomplish their goals, some of which are mentioned by Scott (2022, 134-43).”

Definite demonstratives like this or that are a frequently utilized clickbait strategy.

“Another frequently utilized clickbait strategy is the inclusion of definite demonstratives like this or that (Scott 2022, 140).”

Extremes and superlatives are frequently used in clickbait headlines.

“Extremes and superlatives are also frequently used.”

The overemphasis of personal pronouns as a clickbait technique creates an impression that the headline is intended exclusively for the reader.

“Finally, the overemphasis of personal pronouns as another clickbait technique creates an impression that the headline is intended exclusively for the reader (Scott 2022, 142-43).”

The adjective ultimate is often used to convey exaggeration or emphasis and has a strength equivalent to the superlative degree of adjectives.

“This adjective, as noted by Scott (2022, 136), is often used to convey exaggeration or emphasis and has a strength equivalent to the superlative degree of adjectives.”

Reverse narratives are an effective strategy for attracting the reader's attention, which first states the outcome and then the event itself.

“First of all, reverse narratives are an effective strategy for attracting the reader's attention, which first states the outcome and then the event itself.”