Tips and techniques to write effective title in academic writing such as manuscript and research papers

2. Why title is
important for your
mansucript?
Indexing, Citation
1. The quality of your title and
abstract determines whether
other researchers find your
content relevant and include
in their study
2. Online databases use
keywords and other structure
for indexing, so a properly
structured paper maximises
the reach

3. Why title matters in abstract and manuscript?
1. Citation, citation, citation
2. Online searches pick keywords, so you can game the system by
adding the right title and increasing chance of citation
3. Word limit and format is a challenge
4. Great title-->More chance of finding-->More citation-->More
influential

4. Sample title format for manuscript & research paper
1. The benefits of yoga in diabetics: a quantitative investigation
2. Why diabetics practicing yoga are healthier?
3. Beat diabetes with yoga
4. Urban India: A quantitative report on how performing yoga directly improves overall health
in diabetics
● The first title describes the topic and the methods of the study, but it is not memorable.
● The second title somewhat describes the subject, but it does not give any information about
the methods used in the study. It’s ambiguous - could be some opinion or even theoretical.
● The third title is catchy but doesn’t show any information about the article.
● Title 4 is catchy and engaging. Moreover, the subtitle provides all the information about
the content and methods of the study

5. Title Effectiveness Matrix
Suggestive
Content
Catchy Indicates tone of
the manuscript
Keywords
present
The benefits of yoga in
diabetics: a quantitative
investigation
Y N N Y
Why diabetics practising yoga
are healthier?
N Y Y N
Beat diabetes with yoga N Y N N
Urban India: A quantitative
report on how performing yoga
directly improves overall health
in diabetics
Y Y Y Y

6. Formula for a great title for your research paper
1. The title should allow the reader to predict the content of the research paper.
2. The title should engage the reader, and it should be memorable.
3. The title should reflect the tone of the article and the tone of the writing.
4. The title should contain the essential keywords needed for making it easier to be
located during online keyword searching
Rules to ensure good , title: Make sure, the title
● describes the topic.
● describes the methods used.
● tells the reader what the sample was.
● tells the results of the study.
Example - (Result): A (method) study of (topic) among (sample).
Reference: Hairston M, Keene M. Successful writing.

7. References
1. The University of Southern California has a guide specific to social science research papers:
http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/title
2. The Journal of European Psychology Students has a blog article focusing on APA-compliant research paper titles:
http://blog.efpsa.org/2012/09/01/how-to-write-a-good-title-for-journal-articles/
3. This article by Kristen Hamlin contains a step-by-step approach to writing titles:
http://classroom.synonym.com/choose-title-research-paper-4332.html