In
entertainment
Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and Interest (emotion), interest of an audience or gives pleasure and delight. It can be an idea or a task, but it is more likely to be one of the activities or events that have deve ...
, a tagline (alternatively spelled tag line) is a short text which serves to clarify a thought for, or is designed with a form of,
dramatic effect. Many
tagline slogans are
reiterated phrase
In grammar, a phrasecalled expression in some contextsis a group of words or singular word acting as a grammatical unit. For instance, the English language, English expression "the very happy squirrel" is a noun phrase which contains the adject ...
s
associated with an
individual
An individual is one that exists as a distinct entity. Individuality (or self-hood) is the state or quality of living as an individual; particularly (in the case of humans) as a person unique from other people and possessing one's own needs or g ...
,
social group
In the social sciences, a social group is defined as two or more people who interact with one another, share similar characteristics, and collectively have a sense of unity. Regardless, social groups come in a myriad of sizes and varieties. F ...
, or
product. As a variant of a
branding slogan, taglines can be used in
marketing
Marketing is the act of acquiring, satisfying and retaining customers. It is one of the primary components of Business administration, business management and commerce.
Marketing is usually conducted by the seller, typically a retailer or ma ...
materials and
advertising
Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a Product (business), product or Service (economics), service. Advertising aims to present a product or service in terms of utility, advantages, and qualities of int ...
.
The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable dramatic phrase that will sum up the
tone and
premise
A premise or premiss is a proposition—a true or false declarative statement—used in an argument to prove the truth of another proposition called the conclusion. Arguments consist of a set of premises and a conclusion.
An argument is meaningf ...
of an
audio/visual product, or to
reinforce and strengthen the audience's
memory
Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. It is the retention of information over time for the purpose of influencing future action. If past events could not be remembe ...
of a
literary product. Some taglines are successful enough to warrant inclusion in
popular culture
Popular culture (also called pop culture or mass culture) is generally recognized by members of a society as a set of cultural practice, practices, beliefs, artistic output (also known as popular art f. pop art
F is the sixth letter of the Latin alphabet.
F may also refer to:
Science and technology Mathematics
* F or f, the number 15 (number), 15 in hexadecimal and higher positional systems
* ''p'F'q'', the hypergeometric function
* F-distributi ...
or mass art, sometimes contraste ...
.
Nom
''Tagline'', ''tag line'', and ''tag'' are American terms. In the U.K. they are called ''end lines'', ''endlines'', or ''straplines''. In Belgium they are called ''baselines''. In France they are ''signatures''. In Germany they are ''claims''. In the Netherlands and Italy, they are ''pay offs'' or ''pay-off''.
Organizational usage
may encourage taglines to be used as the conclusion to an introduction by each attendee. The purpose would be to make the introduction and that speaker more memorable in the minds of the other attendees after the meeting is over. Other terms for taglines are "memory hooks" (used by BNI®) and "USP" or "Unique Selling Proposition" which is a more commonly known term.
Difference from headlines
The tagline is sometimes confused with a headline because information is only presented with the one or the other. Essentially the headline is linked to the information; Once the information changes, the headline is abandoned in favor of a new one. The tagline is related to the entertainment piece and can, therefore, appear on all the information of that product or manufacturer. It is linked to the piece and not to the concept of a specific event. If the sentence is presented next to a logo, as an integral part, it is likely to be a tagline.
Function
A tagline is sometimes used as a supplementary expression in promoting a motion picture or television program. It is an explanatory subtitle, in addition to the actual title, on posters or the CD/DVD packaging of videos and music. Taglines can have an enticing effect and are therefore an important aspect in the marketing of films and television programs. Increasingly also found in the advertising world, taglines are a form of advertising slogan. A tagline for the movie series Star Wars, for example:
: ''Tagline'': "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." – ''
Star Wars
''Star Wars'' is an American epic film, epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the Star Wars (film), eponymous 1977 film and Cultural impact of Star Wars, quickly became a worldwide popular culture, pop cu ...
''
: ''Effect'': It was a long time ago in a far, far away galaxy ...
Examples
Film and television
* "You must become Caligari!" () – ''
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari''
* "
Garbo talks!" – ''
Anna Christie''
* "Garbo laughs!" – ''
Ninotchka''
* "Be afraid. Be very afraid." – ''
The Fly''
''
* "
In space, no one can hear you scream." – ''
Alien''
* "
Who you gonna call?" – ''
Ghostbusters''
* "
Love means never having to say you're sorry." – ''
Love Story''
* "Every heist has its perfect plan. Until something goes wrong" –
Money Heist
* "The truth is out there." – ''
The X-Files
''The X-Files'' is an American science fiction on television, science fiction drama (film and television), drama television series created by Chris Carter (screenwriter), Chris Carter. The original series aired from September 10, 1993, to Ma ...
''
* "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..." – ''
Jaws 2''
* "Nothing on earth could come between them." – ''
Titanic''
* "Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas." – ''
Army of Darkness
''Army of Darkness'' is a 1992 American dark fantasy comedy film directed, co-written, and co-edited by Sam Raimi. The film is the third installment in the Evil Dead, ''Evil Dead'' film series and the sequel to ''Evil Dead II'' (1987). Starring ...
''
* "Some houses are born bad." – ''
The Haunting''
* "It knows what scares you." – ''
Poltergeist
In German folklore and ghostlore, a poltergeist ( or ; ; or ) is a type of ghost or spirit that is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. Most claims or fictional descriptions of polter ...
''
* "We are not alone." – ''
Close Encounters of the Third Kind''
* "The first casualty of war is innocence." – ''
Platoon
A platoon is a Military organization, military unit typically composed of two to four squads, Section (military unit), sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the Military branch, branch, but a platoon can ...
''
* "You'll believe a man can fly." – ''
Superman
Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...
''
* "Hell holds no surprises for them..." – ''
The Devils''
* "This time, it's personal." – ''
Jaws: The Revenge''
* "Act like you own the place." – ''
Parasite
Parasitism is a Symbiosis, close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives (at least some of the time) on or inside another organism, the Host (biology), host, causing it some harm, and is Adaptation, adapted str ...
''
* "Prepare for the ride of your life." - ''
Extraction 2''
* " The most violent men called one man the most violent." - ''
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire''
Video games
* "Finish the Fight." – ''
Halo 3''
* "The gears of war are lubricated by the blood of soldiers" – ''
Gears of War''
* "One giant step on mankind" – ''
Destroy All Humans!''
* "Sinners welcome." – ''
Saints Row''
* "It's the Zombie Apocalypse. Bring friends." – ''
Left 4 Dead''
* "Some mountains are scaled. Others are slain." – ''
Shadow of the Colossus''
* "Prepare to die" – ''
Dark Souls''
*"Go beyond death" – ''
Dark Souls II''
*"Only embers remain..." – ''
Dark Souls III''
* "War. War never changes" – ''
Fallout''
* "Go to Hell" – ''
Dante's Inferno
''Inferno'' (; Italian for ' Hell') is the first part of Italian writer Dante Alighieri's 14th-century narrative poem '' The Divine Comedy'', followed by and . The ''Inferno'' describes the journey of a fictionalised version of Dante himsel ...
''
*"Revenge solves everything" – ''
Dishonored''
*"Lose your mind. Eat your crew." – ''
Sunless Sea''
*"This world doesn’t need a hero, it needs a professional." – ''
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt''
*"Good Night. Good Luck." – ''
Dying Light''
*"And so the nightly hunt begins..." – ''
Bloodborne''
*"Our story begins at the end of the world." – ''
Everybody's Gone to the Rapture''
*"Prepare to drop" – ''
Halo 3: ODST''
*"Murder your maker." – ''
Prototype 2''
*"Remember Reach" – ''
Halo: Reach''
*"'Dilemma' doesn't begin to describe it." – ''
Mass Effect
''Mass Effect'' is a military science fiction media franchise created by Casey Hudson. The franchise depicts a distant future where humanity and several alien civilizations have colonized the galaxy using technology left behind by Elder race, a ...
''
*"Run. Think. Shoot. Live." – ''
Half-Life Half-life is a mathematical and scientific description of exponential or gradual decay.
Half-life, half life or halflife may also refer to:
Film
* Half-Life (film), ''Half-Life'' (film), a 2008 independent film by Jennifer Phang
* ''Half Life: ...
''
*"
John Romero
Alfonso John Romero (born October 28, 1967) is an American video game developer. He co-founded id Software and designed their early games, including ''Wolfenstein 3D'' (1992), ''Doom (1993 video game), Doom'' (1993), ''Doom II'' (1994), ''Hexen ...
's about to make you his bitch." – ''
Daikatana''
*"Everybody dies." – ''
DEFCON
The defense readiness condition (DEFCON) is an alert state used by the United States Armed Forces. For security reasons, the U.S. military does not announce a DEFCON level to the public.
The DEFCON system was developed by the Joint Chiefs of Sta ...
''
*"Kill with skill." – ''
Bulletstorm''
*"Bring us the girl, wipe away the debt." – ''
BioShock Infinite''
*"Welcome home." – ''
Fallout 4''
*"Rise up" – ''
Street Fighter V''
*"Brothers to the end." – ''
Gears of War 3''
*"Stand tall, and shake the Heavens!" – ''
Xenogears''
*"Fear the Future" – ''
Metro 2033''
*"Everything is true." – ''
The Secret World''
*"Outlaws to the end." – ''
Red Dead Redemption''
*"Let's challenge you to Play Better" – ''
PUBG''
*"Anton would not be pleased" - ''
Far Cry 6''
Novels
* "Power is a dangerous game." – ''
Red Queen'' by
Victoria Aveyard
* "Their dark and troubled loves could flourish only in secret." – ''
Women in the Shadows'' by
Ann Bannon
* "A novel of love—lost and found." – ''Emmy & Oliver'' by
Robin Benway
* "Your next phone call could be your last." – ''Party Line'' by
A. Bates
* "Growing up is tough. Period." – ''
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.'' by
Judy Blume
* "...the temperature at which books burn." – ''
Fahrenheit 451
''Fahrenheit 451'' is a 1953 Dystopian fiction, dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury. It presents a future American society where books have been outlawed and "firemen" Book burning, burn any that are found. The novel follows in the ...
'' by
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury ( ; August 22, 1920June 5, 2012) was an American author and screenwriter. One of the most celebrated 20th-century American writers, he worked in a variety of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, Horror fiction, horr ...
* "She had six husbands, money—and one lover too many." ''
The Long Goodbye'' by
Raymond Chandler
* "Afraid to face life she risked a terrible death." – ''
Destination Unknown'' by
Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English people, English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving ...
* "A breath-taking novel about the future evolution of man." – ''
Childhood's End'' by
Arthur C. Clarke
* "For the dead, war never ends." – ''Gemini Cell'' by
Myke Cole
* "There are two sides to every story." – ''
Gone Girl'' by
Gillian Flynn
* "A novel of an evil man...and a weak one...and their terrible bargain." – ''
Strangers on a Train'' by
Patricia Highsmith
Patricia Highsmith (born Mary Patricia Plangman; January 19, 1921 – February 4, 1995) was an American novelist and short story writer widely known for her psychological thrillers, including her series of five novels featuring the character T ...
* "A one-way ticket...to terror." – ''The Train'' by
Diane Hoh
* "A hard-boiled mystery story, tougher than a ten-minute egg." – ''The Double Take'' by
Roy Huggins
* "Would she learn the dead man's secret?" – ''
The Colorado Kid'' by
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author. Dubbed the "King of Horror", he is widely known for his horror novels and has also explored other genres, among them Thriller (genre), suspense, crime fiction, crime, scienc ...
* "One day with Bonny Lee was like a three-year lease on a harem." – ''
The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything'' by
John D. MacDonald
* "One boy helps her remember. The other lets her forget." – ''
The Sky Is Everywhere'' by
Jandy Nelson
* "Death came along for the ride." – ''Road to Nowhere'' by
Christopher Pike
* "Half Boy. Half God. All Hero." – ''
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief'' by
Rick Riordan
Richard Russell Riordan Jr. ( ; born June 5, 1964) is an American author, best known for writing the ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' series. Riordan's books have been translated into forty-two languages and sold more than thirty million cop ...
* "One choice can transform you." – ''
Divergent'' by
Veronica Roth
* "The shocking novel of the fight racket." – ''The Harder They Fall'' by
Budd Schulberg
* "That's when he always kills them." – ''First Date'' by
R. L. Stine
* "Change begins with a whisper." – ''
The Help'' by
Kathryn Stockett
* "A savage novel of crime and lust in a big city hotel." – ''A Swell-Looking Babe'' by
Jim Thompson
E-texts
Website
A website (also written as a web site) is any web page whose content is identified by a common domain name and is published on at least one web server. Websites are typically dedicated to a particular topic or purpose, such as news, educatio ...
s also often have taglines. The
Usenet
Usenet (), a portmanteau of User's Network, is a worldwide distributed discussion system available on computers. It was developed from the general-purpose UUCP, Unix-to-Unix Copy (UUCP) dial-up network architecture. Tom Truscott and Jim Elli ...
use taglines as short description of a newsgroup. The term is used in computing to represent
aphorisms
An aphorism (from Greek ἀφορισμός: ''aphorismos'', denoting 'delimitation', 'distinction', and 'definition') is a concise, terse, laconic, or memorable expression of a general truth or principle. Aphorisms are often handed down by tra ...
,
maxim
Maxim or Maksim may refer to:
Entertainment
*Maxim (magazine), ''Maxim'' (magazine), an international men's magazine
** Maxim (Australia), ''Maxim'' (Australia), the Australian edition
** Maxim (India), ''Maxim'' (India), the Indian edition
*Maxim ...
s,
graffiti or other slogans.
In
electronic texts, a ''tag'' or ''tagline'' is short, concise sentences in a row that are used when sending
e-mail
Electronic mail (usually shortened to email; alternatively hyphenated e-mail) is a method of transmitting and receiving Digital media, digital messages using electronics, electronic devices over a computer network. It was conceived in the ...
instead of an
electronic signature. The tagline is used in computing with the meaning of a "signature" to be affixed at the end of each message. In the late eighties and early nineties, when the amateur computer network
FidoNet began to flourish, the messages that were exchanged between users often had a tag-line, which was no longer than 79 characters, containing a brief phrase (often
witty or
humor
Humour ( Commonwealth English) or humor (American English) is the tendency of experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids i ...
ous).
See also
*
Byline
The byline (or by-line in British English) on a newspaper or magazine article gives the name of the writer of the article. Bylines are commonly placed between the headline and the text of the article, although some magazines (notably '' Reader's ...
*
Catchphrase
A catchphrase (alternatively spelled catch phrase) is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated utterance. Such phrases often originate in popular culture and in the arts, and typically spread through word of mouth and a variety of mass ...
*
Hook (music)
*
Jingle
A jingle is a short song or tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. Jingles are a form of sound branding. A jingle contains one or more hooks and meanings that explicitly promote the product or service being advertised, usually ...
*
Slogan
A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a clan or a political, commercial, religious, or other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose, with the goal of persuading members of the public or a more defined target group ...
*
Subliminal stimuli
Subliminal stimuli (; ' literally "below" or "less than") are any sensory stimulus (physiology), stimuli below an individual's sensory threshold, threshold or limit for conscious perception, in contrast to stimuli (above threshold). Visual stimul ...
*
Subtext
*
Subtitle
*
Trope
Notes
References
External links
A List of Famous Taglines taglinedb.com{{dead link, date=May 2020
Film advertising material
Advertising slogans
Phrases