Writing a paper or story may seem like the hardest part of the job, but actually picking a catchy title is just as challenging. However, by combining structuring and creativity, you can create a wide selection of titles to make it easier to choose the perfect title for your work.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Creating a Title for a Non-Fiction Work
Step 1. Outline your writing
The title is the first thing the reader will see, but is generally the last thing the author decides. You probably won't really know what an essay is about until you actually write it down.
Essays often change in the process of creation and revision. The title you specify early in the process may not reflect your essay when it's finished. Make sure you revise the title after you finish the paper
Step 2. Identify the major themes in your work
Generally, non-fiction works have an argument. Write down two or three main points that you want to make.
- See your problem statement. This sentence contains a large argument for your paper and can help determine the title.
- See main thoughts. Reading these sentences can help you establish a theme, symbol, or motif in the essay, which can then be integrated into the title.
- Consider having a friend read your work to help identify the theme.
Step 3. Consider your target audience
List some groups of people who would be interested in the topic and why they would be attracted to it.
- If you are writing a school assignment or your target audience is academics and experts on a particular topic, use formal language. Avoid using witty tones or 'slang' terms.
- If you're trying to reach an online audience, think about what keywords potential readers will use to find the article. For example, if you're writing an article on how to make something, enter words like “beginner” or “do it yourself” that can identify your writing as appropriate for all skill levels.
- If you're writing a story, consider who you're talking about. For example, if you're writing about a sports team, try writing terms like “fans”, “coaches”, “referees” or team names. Readers interested in the sport or team in question can quickly identify your perspective and news topics.
Step 4. Think about the function of the title
Titles are useful for predicting the content of an essay, indicating the style or attitude of the paper, including keywords and attracting attention. The title should not mislead the reader. The title should also indicate the purpose of the article, whether in a historical context, theoretical approach or argument.
Step 5. Decide between declarative, descriptive or interrogative titles
When you choose one of them, think about what kind of information you want to convey to the reader.
- The declarative title contains the main findings or conclusions.
- The descriptive title describes the subject of the article but does not reveal the main conclusion.
- An interrogative title introduces the subject in the form of a question.
Step 6. Avoid too long titles
For non-fiction work, the title should convey important information, keywords, and even methodology. However, titles that are too long can be burdensome and difficult for readers. Limit to a maximum of 10 words.
Step 7. Look for ideas in your writing
Reread your work to find sentences or phrases that refer to your subject. Often, in the opening paragraph or conclusion there is a phrase that fits as a title. Underline or make notes of each word or phrase that describes your idea.
Try to find a compelling description or phrase that you're proud of. For example, in an essay about censorship, try choosing a phrase like, “forbidden music” that is both descriptive and interesting
Step 8. Double-check the sources used
Look for citations from the sources used to support your argument to grab the reader's attention.
- For example, in a paper on blasphemy, a quote such as, “God is silent” can capture attention and provoke thought. Readers can immediately agree or reject and want to continue reading your explanation.
- If you borrow someone else's words, make sure you use quotation marks, including in the title.
Step 9. Make a list of possible titles
By listing the themes, target audience, phrases and quotes made in the previous step, try to think of every possible title word and phrase. Try combining two elements like quotes and themes. Often writers separate two elements with a colon. Notes in parentheses in the following examples describe the elements used:
- The Negative Impact of Referee Changes on Football Fans (Theme and Target Readers)
- “A Crucible of Victory”: Understanding the Western Front in World War I (quotes and themes)
- The Queen of Gems: Marie-Antoinette and the Propaganda Revolution (Phrases and Themes)
Step 10. Respect the rules
Different disciplines, such as the natural, social or arts sciences have different rules regarding titles. If you understand the requested specifications, follow the on-demand instructions. There are some basic rules to remember:
- Most words in your title start with a capital letter.
- The first word, and the first word after the colon must always be capitalized even if the word is a “short word”.
- In general, prepositional words do not need to be capitalized except as the first word in the title.
- If your title contains the title of a book or movie, this should be in italics. “Gender Relationships Between Vampires in “Twilight.” The title of the short story should always be in quotation marks.
- Find out the requested essay style: MLA, APA or another style. Sites such as Purdue University's Online Writing Lab, APA Style, and MLA Handbook can help you with requested title rules.
Method 2 of 2: Writing a Title for a Fiction Story
Step 1. Brainstorm
Write down every word that comes to your mind about the story. Add keywords about the topic, character names, your favorite sentences or whatever comes to mind. Try arranging them in different combinations to see if any catches your eye.
Step 2. Study the titles in your genre
Take a look at stories or books that are popular with your target audience. Readers can be drawn to your writing because it reminds them of something they already enjoy.
For example, many fantasy books for young people use curious words such as: “Twilight”, “Bite”, “Ashes”, “The Chosen One”
Step 3. Create a catchy title
A boring or mundane title won't catch the reader's eye. Words like “Tree” or “Train” may be a theme or symbol in the story, but such titles will not captivate the reader.
Try adding some descriptive words to the base title. Successful titles using the word example above include “The Tree That Gives”, “The Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, “The Mystery of the Blue Train”, and “The Orphanage”
Step 4. A catchy title
Headlines are not only useful for capturing the reader's attention, they can also spread the word about your work. Words that are too difficult will not appeal to editors, book agents; and readers will not be able to remember or sell this title to anyone else. You want to come up with something that's fun, sticks to your head and easy to remember.
Read your title aloud. Is it hard to pronounce? Interesting? Boring? Would you check a book with that title? The answers to these questions can help you revise your title
Step 5. Pay attention to the choice of words
The title should be appropriate for a story and not confuse potential readers. Make sure that the words don't reflect something that isn't your story. Your title shouldn't sound like a science fiction book if it's a romance book.
Step 6. Use strong and clear language
The title should be able to differ from the crowd. Words with strong action, vivid adjectives, or curious nouns. Review the words in your title candidate. Is there a more descriptive or unique synonym? Can you choose a word that has a more specific meaning? Some words are so mundane that the title won't affect the reader in the same way.
For example, the use of the word "passion" in Eugene O'Neill's book "Passion under the Elm" is more interesting than "Love under the Elm"
Step 7. Find inspiration
Book titles often arise from great works such as the Bible, Shakespeare, song lyrics or other sources. Try to write sentences that are interesting, beautiful or uplifting to you.
Examples of such titles are "The Grapes of Wrath" (Translated as "Anger" in Indonesian), "Absalom, Absalom!", "Gaudy Night" and "The Fault in Our Stars" Indonesia)
Step 8. Read your work
The title is often the sentence stuck in the head of the book or story itself. Readers may like the moment they realize that a story has a special title.
Examples of such titles are To Kill a Mockingbird, Catch-22 and Catcher in the Rye
Step 9. Take note of the inspiration that comes to you
Often writing ideas will come at the most unexpected times. You may forget, so bring paper and a pencil to jot down ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
Tips
- Try the following examples to come up with a good title.
- If you enjoy writing articles and want to make money from your hobby of writing, you can try applying to sites that recruit writers, such as Contentesia.
