The purpose of a byline is to give readers a clear indication of who wrote the article, providing them with a point of reference and a sense of who is responsible for the content. It also allows readers to assess the author's credibility and expertise in the subject matter. By providing transparency about authorship, bylines help build trust and accountability in journalism.
For example, in a newspaper article about the recent presidential election, the byline might read:
By: John Smith, Washington Correspondent
In this case, "John Smith" is the author's full name, and "Washington Correspondent" indicates their position and area of reporting for the newspaper. This information allows readers to understand that the article is written by a journalist who is covering the presidential election from the nation's capital.