What is the purpose of a title?
- It tells your audience what your essay or project is about.
- It should also stimulate the audience’s interest.
Title Fail: What to Avoid
The problem most people have when it comes time to give their work a title is that they forget the purpose of a title (to inform and create interest). They just stick a generic title at the top of the page that fails to tell anyone what the project is about. Worse still, their basic title is downright boring.
The following are examples of boring, undescriptive titles that you should never use:
The following are examples of boring, undescriptive titles that you should never use:
Homework
My Socials Project
World War II Essay
Page 3 Questions
My Socials Project
World War II Essay
Page 3 Questions
Titles that Rock: Creating a More Interesting Title
There are many ways that you can create a title that is both informative and interesting. Try one of these ideas:
But here are also a few things to keep in mind when creating a more interesting title:
The following are sample titles that use some of the tricks listed above to generate interest while still making the topic of the paper clear:
- Find a phrase from within your paper
- Use alliteration
- Paraphrase a familiar phrase, quote or proverb
- Ask a question
- Use a rhyme
- Incorporate a pun
- Use something humorous or witty
- Make a provocative statement
- Sum up your paper in 3 words
But here are also a few things to keep in mind when creating a more interesting title:
- Always give your essay a title; it will be incomplete without one.
- Write your essay first. It will be easier to pick a title that works well with your essay if you know exactly what you are going to say.
- Make sure the style of your title fits the tone of your essay. A funny title would not fit a serious essay on the Holocaust, but it would be a great fit if you were reviewing a comedic film.
- Remember, being creative is important, but being clear about what your essay is about is more important. A good way to avoid potentially confusing your reader is to have a short, creative title followed by a colon and then a more descriptive subtitle (see examples below).
- If you can’t come up with a title, ask someone else to read your paper and suggest one.
The following are sample titles that use some of the tricks listed above to generate interest while still making the topic of the paper clear:
Terror in the Trenches
Get Rich or Die Trying: The Cariboo Gold Rush
Was the Great Depression Preventable?
Lightning War Settles the Score: How Hitler Used Blitzkrieg to Avenge the German Nation
Injustice: The Trial of Louis Riel
Perspective, Proportion and Shadow: Realism in Renaissance Art
Get Rich or Die Trying: The Cariboo Gold Rush
Was the Great Depression Preventable?
Lightning War Settles the Score: How Hitler Used Blitzkrieg to Avenge the German Nation
Injustice: The Trial of Louis Riel
Perspective, Proportion and Shadow: Realism in Renaissance Art