How to Title an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide for Effective Titles

6 Easy Steps to Write a Good Essay Title

Just follow this step-by-step approach in order to come up with a title that is sure to get the reader hooked on your essay. 

Step 1. Understand Your Essay’s Main Point

Before you can create a title, make sure you clearly understand the main argument or idea of your essay. Think about what you’re trying to communicate.

• Example: If your essay is about how social media affects mental health, your title should reflect that key idea.

Step 2. Pick Keywords

Think of the most important terms related to your topic. These are the keywords that will help define your title and make it clear what your essay is about.

• Example: If your essay is about climate change, keywords might be "climate," "global warming," and "solutions."

Step 3. Choose a Format

Decide on the format for your title. It could be a question, a statement, or a combination of both. This will depend on the tone of your essay and what fits best.

• Example: A question title could be “How Does Technology Impact Education?” or a statement title could be “The Impact of Technology on Education.”

Step 4. Keep It Concise and Clear

A strong essay title concisely portrays what the essay will be about in just a few words. Avoid unnecessary words or details that could confuse readers. You should aim for clarity above all.

• Example: Instead of “A Study on the Effects of Climate Change and Global Warming on the Earth,” you could simply say “The Effects of Climate Change on Earth.”

Step 5. Make It Engaging

Your title should catch attention and make readers want to read more. Think about what will spark curiosity or interest without being misleading.

• Example: Instead of a plain title like “The Future of Technology,” you could use “Is Technology Changing the Future of Education?” which invites the reader to think deeper.

Step 6. Revise and Fine-Tune

After writing your essay, come back to your title. Sometimes, the best title comes after you’ve fully developed your ideas. Make sure your title reflects the main message and aligns with your essay’s tone.

• Example: After finishing an essay about climate change solutions, you might revise your title to “Practical Solutions to Fight Climate Change” for a more focused and clear approach.

Tip: It’s best to write your essay before choosing the title. This way, you can be sure the title matches your main points. You can also use your thesis statement to help create a title that reflects the focus of your essay.

Rules For Essay Titles in Different Formats

When it comes to creating essay titles, different formatting styles have specific rules and guidelines to follow. In this section, we will explore the rules for essay titles in three commonly used formats: MLA, APA, and the Chicago Manual of Style.

How to Title an Essay in MLA Format

In MLA format, essay titles have the following rules:

• Capitalize the first and last words of the title.
• Capitalize all principal words, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or), or prepositions, unless they are the first or last word of the title.
• Italicize the titles of complete works (books, journals, movies, etc.).
• Place titles of shorter works (articles, essays, poems) in quotation marks.

Example: 

How to Title an Essay in APA Format

In APA format, essay titles have the following rules:

• Capitalize the first word of the title and any subtitles.
• Capitalize all proper nouns.
• Only capitalize the first word after a colon if it begins a subtitle. 
• Italicize the titles of longer works (books, journals, movies, etc.).
• Do not use quotation marks for titles.

Example:

Guidelines for Essay Titles in Chicago Manual of Style Format

In the Chicago paper format, essay titles have the following rules:

• Capitalize the first and last words of the title.
• Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions.
• Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or), or prepositions, unless they are the first or last word of the title.
• Italicize the titles of larger works (books, journals, movies, etc.).
• Use quotation marks for titles of shorter works (articles, essays, poems).

Example:

33 Best Essay Title Examples 

Here are short essay titles examples for different types of essays: 

Examples of titles for Argumentative Essays:

• "Should College Education Be Free for Everyone?"
• "The Benefits of Renewable Energy Over Fossil Fuels"
• "Is Social Media a Threat to Real-Life Communication?"

Examples of titles for Persuasive Essays:

• "Why We Should Ban Single-Use Plastics"
• "The Importance of Voting in Modern Democracies"
• "Why Animal Testing Should Be Banned Worldwide"

Examples of titles for Expository Essays:

• "How to Improve Your Time Management Skills"
• "The Process of Photosynthesis Explained"
• "The Role of Technology in Modern Healthcare"

Examples of titles for Narrative Essays:

• "The Day I Overcame My Fear of Public Speaking"
• "A Life-Changing Experience That Shaped My Future"
• "How a Summer Internship Changed My Career Path"

Examples of titles for Compare and Contrast Essays:

• "The Differences Between Public and Private School Education"
• "Social Media vs. Traditional Media: Which Is More Effective?"
• "Living in the City vs. Living in the Suburbs: A Comparative Study"

Examples of titles for Cause and Effect Essay:

• "The Impact of Exercise on Mental Health"
• "How Climate Change Affects Global Agriculture"
• "The Effects of Stress on Physical Health"

Essay Title Examples for College:

• "The Benefits of College Education Beyond the Classroom"
• "How College Life Shapes Personal Growth and Development"
• "The Role of Technology in Modern College Learning"

Essay Title Examples About a Book: 

• "The Theme of Redemption in The Catcher in the Rye"
• "Exploring the Power of Friendship in Of Mice and Men"
• "The Role of Fate in Romeo and Juliet"

Essay Title Examples for Scholarship:

• "Why I Deserve the XYZ Scholarship: My Passion for Engineering"
• "How This Scholarship Will Help Me Achieve My Career Goals"
• "The Impact of Financial Aid on My Education and Future Success"

Research Paper Title Examples 

• The Role of Genetics in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes
• Advancements in Nanotechnology: Implications for Drug Delivery Systems
• Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Rehabilitation in Traumatic Brain Injury

Essay Title Examples About Yourself: 

• "How My Childhood Experiences Shaped Who I Am Today"
• "The Journey That Led Me to Pursue a Career in Medicine"
• "Overcoming Personal Challenges: My Story of Growth and Resilience"

What Is The Purpose Of An Essay Title?

The purpose of a good title in essay writing is to grab readers' attention and provide a clear idea of what the essay is about. A good title will always spark interest and draw the reader in right from the get-go. 

The purpose of a strong essay title can be summarized into four key objectives.

• Attention Grabbing:

A creative title instantly grabs the reader's attention, acting as a hook that sparks curiosity. It entices them to explore your essay further.

• Setting Expectations:

An essay title communicates the main theme, subject matter, or argument of your writing. It sets the tone and prepares readers for what lies ahead.

• Creating Interest and Relevance:

A carefully chosen title makes your essay relatable and interesting to your target audience. It also establishes a connection between their interests and your topic.

• Reflecting the Essence:

The title of your essay should reflect its core essence and purpose, acting as a concise representation of the ideas.

• Improves Searchability (if published online): 

A clear, keyword-rich title makes your essay easier to find, especially if it’s meant for an audience searching for specific information.

Things to Avoid in Your Essay Title

While brainstorming your essay title, it's important to avoid certain elements that may weaken or confuse your title. Consider the following:

• Vague or General Terms:

Avoid using generic terms or phrases that lack specificity. Instead, opt for precise word choices and descriptive language that accurately represent your essay's content.

• Abbreviations or Acronyms:

Unless widely recognized, avoid using abbreviations or acronyms that may confuse readers.

Aim for clarity and ensure that your title can be easily understood by a broad audience.

• Excessive Length:

Keep your title concise and avoid unnecessary wordiness. A long, convoluted title may overwhelm readers and fail to capture their attention.

• Clichés or Overused Phrases:

Steer clear of clichés or overused phrases that may make your title appear unoriginal or uninspiring. Strive for creativity and uniqueness to make your title memorable.

What Your Essay Title Should Include

When brainstorming your essay title, consider including the following elements:

• Keywords:

Identify key terms or concepts related to your essay's topic or main argument. These keywords should be relevant, descriptive, and reflective of the content.

• Tone and Style:

Determine the appropriate tone and style for your essay. Consider whether your title should be formal, academic, creative, or catchy, depending on the purpose and audience of your essay.

• Focus and Scope:

Reflect on the main focus and scope of your essay. Consider the specific angle, perspective, or aspect you are exploring in your writing.

• Engaging Language:

Use language that captivates and intrigues readers. Employ strong verbs, vivid adjectives, or thought-provoking phrases to make your title stand out.

Essay Title Examples: Bad vs. Good

Here are examples of bad and good essay titles for students to illustrate the difference:

Final Takeaway,

A good and catchy title will always make your essay stand out to the reader right from the start. In this blog, we discussed the steps and simple strategies for giving your essay the title it deserves. 

We hope that now you can come up with a title that reflects your essay’s stance and leaves a lasting impression. 

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