A slideshow on how to title an essay or narrative.

1. What’s in a title?

2. What’s a title of a
movie/book/story/tv show
that you love?

3. Don’t judge a book by its
cover
● But we kind of do judge a piece of writing by its title
● It’s the first thing we see and read
● What makes a good title?
Has something to do with the story
Doesn’t reveal too much but reveals enough to get you interested

4. What makes a good
title?
For fiction:
● It should be attention-grabbing
● It should introduce the tone of the work
For nonfiction:
● It should be attention-grabbing
● It should introduce the tone of the work
● It should let readers know what the work is about

5. The title depends on the
type of essay
● Narrative essay: For this kind of essay, the title should not provide any detailed info or reflect your
position. It should only present the general idea of your piece of writing. Ex: My Thorny Pass to Success.
● Argumentative essay: The title for an argumentative essay should clearly state the point you are going to
support. Ex: Social Media Has a Negative Effect on Teenagers.
● Cause and effect essay: For this kind of essay writing, the title should be clear and provide a background
of the issue. The reader should immediately understand what the problem is, what its cause is, what an
effect is. Ex: Because Coronavirus Attacks, People Start to Explore New Ways of Remote
Working.
● Persuasive essay. A persuasive essay should have a dynamic title that immediately calls to action.
Moreover, the topic has to be relevant to the audience. Ex: Sleep 7-8 Hours a Day: the Lack of Sleep
Affects Academic Performance.

6. Tips for catchy titles
1. Use Questions for Catchy Titles for Essay: One great way to develop a captivating article name
is to use a question. Determine the overall answer that the document provides. What question does
that paper answer? That question often makes a great title.
2. Describe the Paper in 5 Words: If the entirety of the article had to be condensed into 5 words,
what words would be chosen? Not only does this unique creation bring some fun to the process, it
can also be highly efficient.
3. Use One Straightforward Word: For some paper styles, a single word can work well as a
creative. Many styles of papers can use the one-word title, but it should be undeniably clear as to
why that word was chosen.
4. Choose a Single Sentence from the Document: If already drafted, a full paper is often packed
with potential title options. By picking out a statement that describes the essay, a writer has a pre-
drafted work and failed to realize it.
5. Consider Using Pop-Culture as an Influence: An option for interesting titles for essays is to
look at names of famous songs, books, or movies that fit well with the paper topic. It is best if the
title is easily recognized so that readers can make the connection.

7. Tips for catchy titles
6. Start with the Word “On”: While this option might be a challenge for some topics, for others it
makes things easier. Think of what the entirety of the article is on. If the paper is on a literary review
of a popular book, it might be “On to Kill a Mockingbird.”
7. Use an -ing Word to Start an Essay Title: Jot down as many -ing words as possible in a 60
second period. Utilize that list to create a title that starts with one of those words.
8. Briefly Describe the Mental Image the Topic Provides: For the artistically minded, titles can
be determined by focusing on what is known and spinning it to involve a creative element. Even if the
mental image brings something that is not seen by most people, honesty can go far.
9. Twist the Name with a Previously Rejected Title: Fish one of the former failed titles from the
trash and put a spin on it to find success. A creative essay title can be discovered by altering the
original with a pun or something interesting.
10. Choose 2 Titles That Were Written Down and Declined; Join Them Together: Although 2
separate entities didn’t work out, it doesn’t mean that those couple of names don’t work together. It
can be a quick solution to a few challenges.

8. If you’re still stuck on
your essay title…
● The most straightforward way of creating an essay title is summarizing. Sum up the whole paper in
one sentence, focus on the central idea, cut the details, and use it as the title.
● For this purpose, you can take your thesis statement and restate it, adding creativity.
● The MLA paper should start one inch from the top of the document, flush left.
● Write the author’s name, then the instructor’s name, the course number, and the date. Each item
should be on a separate double-spaced line.
● Add the title of your paper. It should be centered and capitalized.
● Do not put quotation marks, underline, italicize, or boldface your MLA title. Just make it centered
and capitalized.