Essay Title: Rules, Tips, Mistakes to Avoid

Bonnie Adair

Table of contents

  • 1 What Makes a Good Title?
  • 2.1 Use your essay to develop your topic
  • 2.2 Identify keywords and take advantage of them
  • 2.3 Use Multiple Titles
  • 3.1 MLA Format
  • 3.2 APA Format
  • 3.3 Chicago Format
  • 4 Things to Avoid When Writing a Title for an Essay
  • 5 Take Your Paper Style Into Account
  • 6 Types Of Papers and the Best Essay Title Examples Titles
  • 7.1 1. Questions make Catchy Titles.
  • 7.2 2. Describe the Paper in 5 Words.
  • 7.3 3. Use a Hook in Your Title.
  • 7.4 4. Give a Mental Visualization of Your Topic.
  • 7.5 5. Choose Two Variants That Were Considered and Declined, Then Join Them Together.
  • 8.1 Why is an essay title important?
  • 8.2 Can a title be a question?
  • 8.3 How long should essay titles be?

Good paper titles could differ depending on whether the audience views or ignores your essays. When chosen carefully, essay titles could well capture the attention of someone who would not typically read the topic. Learning the proper method for titling an article can create an attention-grabbing heading. A well-titled article will also tell readers what to expect. Knowing how to create a topic for an essay that commands the reader’s attention is important. That is why this piece is designed to help you learn how to title an essay.

What Makes a Good Title?

The importance of a great title cannot be overemphasized in the essay-writing process . And that is where you question yourself – what makes good essay headlines?

  • A good title for an essay must be memorable. Learn how to title an essay by thinking up something that stands out as much as possible to capture the audience’s eyes and minds. Remember – your title is the first thing your reader sees.
  • Your essay name must possess a near-perfect degree of accuracy. Titling an essay like a clickbait headline could have the viewer on strings at the beginning, but they may not be disposed towards reading it to the end. Use your writing skills to develop a good title that reflects your paper.
  • A good essay title has to be written in a language the target audience would understand easily. You might want to keep the language of your essay headline simple, but it should reflect as much expertise as the target audience would reasonably expect.
  • A catchy title for an essay must be easy to read. The main idea is that your title gives a brief insight into what the audience should expect. When learning how to title an essay, keep it concise and eye-catching, and ensure it is in active voice.

How to Title an Essay?

Good essay title examples are those that carry a clear message. An essay title must talk about what you want to achieve or state a fact you wish to stand upon. If you talk about Boston lettuce crops, it has to be a strong essay title that makes an argument. If your essay specifically explores perspective for something, mention an issue with an event or some logical connection. For example, if you talk about perspective in Hitchcock’s films, the examples should come first. Speaking of example essay titles think of this:

“The agricultural effect of Boston lettuce crops”

“Window perspective in Hitchcock’s use of light and camera angles”

“Environmental Factor Affects Specific Boston Lettuce Crops: pros and cons”

“The Ways Free Wi-Fi Can Be Dangerous”

Such an essay title concisely states the message and avoids negative language sounds with unnecessary bits!

Having understood the importance of creative essay titles, you also know what features they should contain. This is not an arbitrary undertaking. It is a multi-step ritual that helps you ensure you are on the right track to connect with your audience using a catchy essay title. Speaking of guidelines for essay titles, keep things interesting and creative as you think of an engaging title. You may use title examples like these:

“The controversy of blue light on Boston lettuce”

“Modern artists’ answers differ based on their honesty levels”

“Why does reading this blog regularly help maintain inner balance?”

As you can see, an effective title can be different, ranging from creative titles to potential titles that ask a question. The very art of essay titling must summarize what the post says and contain focus keywords. Pick at least three keywords to meet in your essay writing if you have a particular subject.

Use your essay to develop your topic

This may seem rather confusing, but it is a very efficient step to follow while developing great naming ideas. You should start writing your essay once you have identified a subject matter. When you finish writing your essay, you can use the write-up details to construct the most suitable title. It also gives you much more clarity on the subject matter and what the audience wants from it since you would have conducted more research on the issue. As such, your title can be more precise and connected to the paper.

Identify keywords and take advantage of them

Your essay’s title must scream “This is what you want” to the reader. No matter how fun and memorable it is, it might not be as successful if it does not capture what the audience wants. This is where keywords will work for you. They are terms that would let readers know that your essay is relevant to what is in question.

For instance, imagine trying to research articles on symptoms of pregnancy – but the name you see has nothing like “symptoms” or “pregnancy” in them. They might be catchy essay headers and even be related to the search, but they don’t exactly strike you like that is what you seek. You don’t need to stuff your title with key phrases. Just two or three core ones will do the trick.

Use Multiple Titles

Nobody said you have to use just one main topic. Segmenting your paper and sub-titling each makes your essay much more readable.

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Essay Title Formats and Punctuations

It is perfectly fine if you would rather freestyle your essay heading. After all, a little creative license never hurts as long as you craft a good essay title. However, you might want to play it safer by defining parameters, especially if your essay is formal. In that case, you should opt for an essay title format. These are internationally recognized sets of prescribed guidelines for titling your papers. There are three main essay title styles – the MLA, the APA, and the Chicago.

MLA style rules emphasize that your essay topics should be centralized on the page. Perhaps the most important rule of this style is that the title must be written in “title case”. This means every word should begin using capital letters

prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, and “to” when it is alongside a verb in its infinitive form and articles. However, the first and last words must have capital letters, no matter what they are. This style also discourages italicizing, underlining, or placing the topics in quotation marks except for book titles.

For example:

Warning to the world in Lord of the Flies As you can see, the book’s title is in italics.

This formatting APA style is particular about the brevity of the title, stipulating a maximum of 12 words. It emphasizes a short and straight-to-the-point without abbreviations or redundancies. A title in this style aims to share as much information with the audience in as few words as possible. It does not encourage using figurative words because they are used in technical and professional writing. Thus, expect to see it deployed toward a research paper title and formal articles. It also supports centralizing the title toward the top of the page. For example:

Effects of Marine Pollution: A Study of Modern Maritime Practices

Chicago Format

Like the other two formats, this style is particular about having the title in the title case. However, it gives more leeway and license to the writer than the others. The Chicago essay title style prescribes no further guidelines beyond title casing. It can be placed as the main title with a subtitle as the next line. See this example:

The Character of a Man

The Style and Cultural Aspects in Robin Hood’s Legends

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Things to Avoid When Writing a Title for an Essay

Developing interesting titles for essays can be a challenge for some. Tips include avoiding negativity and offensive or controversial terms and keeping it professional. Even the cover page could be done properly thanks to a writing service like the APA title page generator, which can also help you write a good title for an essay.

Making a good start means staying positive. Even when the essay topics are dreary, attempt to write less negatively. Good headlines for essays also use appropriate language to attract more possible readers to the paper. Lastly, its image should remain neutral – don’t overshare.

Take Your Paper Style Into Account

The style of your essay is essential to your topic. Identify and study what kind of essay it is, e.g., an argumentative essay or narrative essay, and ensure that the essay topic reflects it. Essays have tones depending on their kind, the audience, and the subject matter. For instance, academic writing would likely assume a formal tone. Having identified the tone of your essays, you should ensure your essay topics don’t go off-key. It should complement the essay’s tone to have the desired effect on the readers. Think about your essay style before you title an essay.

how to write a great essay title

When creating an essay title, consider how it fits any of the styles above. This will help you formulate a question or argument.

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Types Of Papers and the Best Essay Title Examples Titles

Several situations could involve you writing an essay paper. Depending on the situation or the piece’s target, several papers also exist. These may include a narrative paper, expository essay, business paper, and thesis statement in academic writing, among others. You can use creative or otherwise funny titles unless they are not offensive. Some of the most creative essay title examples include:

Good Title for a Research Paper

  • The Role of COVID-19 in the Growth of Digital Services
  • Impacts of Climate Change on Developed Countries
  • Why Is Power Chasing White Whales Not Ethical?

Effective Title for a Business Paper

  • Why Franchising Is the Way for New Small Business Owners
  • How Digital Services Can Influence the Global Supply Chain
  • What Business Factor Affects Specific Crops in Agriculture

A Catchy Title Example for a College Essay

  • The Golden Rule of Wholesome Studentship
  • Finding Success in My Failures
  • APA Format is Typically Challenging For Students?

Reflective Essay

  • The Time I Met My Mentor
  • My First Surgery
  • Why Are the iPhone and iPad Keyboards Hard to Use?

Personal Statement

  • My Nine Lives as an Immigrant Student
  • The Three Horsemen of Ambition
  • My Pursuit of Power Chasing in Education.

Literary Analysis

  • The Use of Symbolism in The Pulley
  • Thematic Preoccupations of Shakespeare’s Othello
  • How to Avoid Potentially Offending a Reader?

Report Titles

  • Earlier Vaccinations Would Not Have Subsided the Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Students Want Mixed Dormitories in American Universities
  • Scooping Ice Cream Taught Me About Healthcare Issues

Good Titles for Essays about Yourself

  • Why I Am the Way I Am
  • A Letter To the 7-Year-Old Me

Good Titles for Narrative Writing

  • The Day the World Stood Still
  • My Perfect Birthday Party

MLA Essay Title Format

  • The Old Man and the Sea: A Critical Analysis of Ernest Hemingway
  • Why You Can Do What You Do Without Knowing Who You Are

Argumentative Essay

  • Are Electric Cars the Solution To Carbon Emissions?
  • Should Reparations Be Paid To Marginalized Groups?

Compare and Contrast Essay

  • Left Wing Versus Right Wing: What Ideologies Do We Need?
  • Good Versus Bad: The Constant Clashes of Morality

Persuasive Essay

  • Why Dogs Make Better Pets Compared to Cats
  • Digital Banking: The Peak of Fintech

Scholarship Essay Titles Examples

  • What Can You Contribute to the Student Community?
  • Narrate a Defining Experience in Your Life

Nursing Essay

  • COVID-19 and the Growing Demand for Nursing Staff
  • Prioritizing Ethical Education in the Nursing Profession
  • Test Scores Three Stats in ER Evaluation

Good Example APA Title Essay

  • The Government’s Role in Poverty Alleviation
  • Myths and Facts about Tuberculosis
  • Why Looking Through the Rear Car Window Helps You Stay Safe.

Looking for specific tips you know well? Remember that an essay’s title must not contain unnecessary words. When using MLA format, you also have a header showing your course. It means that academic papers already show where you are coming from. Since every format requires that essay titles appear on the front or a title page, it grabs the reader’s attention.

A good essay title tells readers about what’s going to be next. If you want to discuss the dangers of free wi-fi access, make it a thesis statement. For example: “Making wi-fi access free provides access to malicious activities”. Likewise, “Growing Boston lettuce crops has been affected by the heavy rains” is not a good essay title when stated alone. A much better essay title would be “Effects of blue light on Boston Lettuce crops helped to avoid damage”. It still contains the main idea.

5 Ways to Create an Exceptional Essay Title

There are numerous ways in which a writer can craft a quality gaming experience. Unless you use a title generator for an essay , titling an essay is as simple or as hard as the writer makes it. It is often necessary to edit the essay online multiple times. Finding their style depends on the type of essay and the purpose of the writing. Speaking of tips and examples, our experts believe in the following methods:

1. Questions make Catchy Titles.

Interesting headings for essays can be created by using a cause-and-effect approach. Start considering a common problem and think about what question that paper answers. Look at the example of your writing so you can compose a title out of it.

2. Describe the Paper in 5 Words.

If you sum up the paper in 5 words, what words would be chosen? If you blog regularly, you’ll notice how clarity always helps. Not only does this unique creation bring some fun to the process, but it can also birth a catchy phrase – which translates to a highly effective best essay title. An applicable catchy phrase can be helpful as well.

3. Use a Hook in Your Title.

Sometimes, the best essay title ideas are simpler than we think. For some essay topics, a good hook could be all you need. Though it might not be easy to develop one, it may give your research paper an edge. Remember that it can be a phrase, figurative language, punny, or otherwise funny.

4. Give a Mental Visualization of Your Topic.

This works wonders when the topic you write about is art-oriented. It provides a rear window perspective like clear keywords, blue light, or “every principle word” words. When you remain creative, your essay-writing process improves as well.

5. Choose Two Variants That Were Considered and Declined, Then Join Them Together.

When two separate entities do not work out, it does not mean that those phrases can’t work together for your new paper. So keep that list of paper titles and write papers with confidence!

Why is an essay title important?

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Essay Writing Guide

How To Title An Essay

Nova A.

How to Title an Essay Properly- An Easy Guide

11 min read

how to title an essay

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A title is the first thing that your readers will interact with. So, it should be something interesting and worth paying attention to.  

Coming up with an interesting title while writing an essay can be the most difficult and sometimes frustrating task. The best essay titles are those that are both creative and informative.

If you have no idea how to come up with the best title for your essay, this article will help you. Here, we will discuss the key elements for titling your essay and some examples of titles for your help.  

So, let’s start with the blog!

Arrow Down

  • 1. Why is it Important to Have a Good Essay Title?
  • 2. What are the Basic Components of an Essay Title?
  • 3. How To Make A Good Title For An Essay?
  • 4. Essay Titles in Different Formats
  • 5. Additional Tips To Create a Good Essay Title
  • 6. Dos and Don'ts for Essay Titles
  • 7. Attention Grabbing Essay Title Ideas

Why is it Important to Have a Good Essay Title?

A great essay title is very important, and it can make or break the overall quality of your essay. 

The reason is pretty simple: the title you choose for your essay is the first thing that will decide if your readers will continue reading your paper or not. 

That’s why the choice of words and how you create a title is very important. If you are thinking the content of your essay is what matters, then you are wrong. To get a good grade and impress your teacher, every part of the paper plays an important role. 

Moreover, creating a title that convinces people to read your essay allows you to showcase your knowledge and writing skills. 

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What are the Basic Components of an Essay Title?

There are different types of essays , and each essay has a specific structure that can be followed for writing a well-written paper. Creating an essay title has it is own method, too. 

Below, you can find the main components of an essay title. 

  • The Catchy Hook: The hook introduces the topic in the most interesting and creative way. 
  • Topic Keywords: It is the ‘what’ question of your essay. This component of an essay title determines the concept that you will discuss in your essay.
  • Focus Keywords: It is the ‘when’ and ‘where’ question of your essay. It provides more information about the headline and makes it more professional. 

Characteristics of a Good Essay Title

Here are the characteristics of a good essay title:

  • Clear and Concise: Directly conveys the main topic or argument.
  • Engaging: Captures the reader’s interest and curiosity.
  • Relevant: Reflects the essay’s content accurately.
  • Specific: Provides enough detail to inform the reader about the essay’s focus.
  • Descriptive: Uses keywords that describe the main points or themes.
  • Unique: Stands out and avoids being too generic.
  • Informative: Gives a hint of the essay's thesis or main idea.
  • Proper Length: Neither too long nor too short, usually between 5-10 words.
  • Balanced: Combines creativity with clarity.
  • Consistent: Matches the tone and style of the essay

How To Make A Good Title For An Essay?

There are a few codes that you should keep in mind when titling an essay. 

#1 Write Essay First, Title in the Last

One effective approach is to complete your entire essay first and then tackle the title last. This method allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding of what would resonate with your readers.

#2 Utilize Your Thesis

Your thesis statement , typically found in your essay introduction , can be a goldmine for title inspiration. Reworking it can help you come up with a compelling and relevant essay title.

#3 Take into Account the Tone of Your Paper

Consider the tone of your essay, as it significantly influences the title's choice. For serious topics, maintain a serious and appropriate tone in your title.

#4 Use Relevant Keywords

Incorporate two to three relevant keywords within your title. These keywords should reflect the core themes of your essay and help potential readers find your work.

Essay Titles in Different Formats

When titling an essay in different formats, it's important to follow the specific guidelines and formatting requirements of the style guide you are using. Below, you can find the basic guidelines for titling an essay for each essay format .

Essay Title APA Format

Let's see what an APA title should include: 

  • The title should be centered but not in bold or italics.
  • Use title case for the title.
  • Capitalize the first word of the title and any subtitles, as well as any major words within the title (e.g., The Psychology of Motivation: Understanding Human Behavior).
  • Use a 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font.

The Impact of Climate Change on Global Biodiversity

Essay Title MLA Format

Here is what an MLA paper title should include: 

  • Title should be centered.
  • Use title case, which means capitalizing the first and last words of the title and all major words in between (e.g., The Art of Writing: Crafting Engaging Essays).
  • Do not underline, italicize, or use quotation marks for the title.
  • It's common to use a 12-point Times New Roman font.

Exploring the Themes in Shakespeare's Sonnets: Love, Time, and Beauty

Essay Title Chicago Format

Chicago style offers two options for formatting titles: headline-style and sentence-style.

  • Headline style: The title is in the title case and is centered. Major words are capitalized.

Example: The Decline of the Roman Empire: A Historical Analysis

  • Sentence style: The title is in sentence case (only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized). It is also centered. Use a 12-point Times New Roman or similar font.

Example: The decline of the Roman Empire: a historical analysis

MLA Format for a Book or Film Title Within the Essay

So, how to write a title of a book in an essay? If your essay discusses a book or film title, you would follow MLA formatting for titles within the essay. Enclose the title in double quotation marks.

Example: "The Catcher in the Rye": A Study of Adolescent Alienation

AMA Format (American Medical Association)

  • The title should be centered.
  • Use title case, with the first letter of major words capitalized (e.g., The Role of Genetics in Disease Prevention).
  • Do not use bold, italics, or quotation marks.
  • Use a 12-point Times New Roman font.

Example: The Impact of Nutrition on Cardiovascular Health

Additional Tips To Create a Good Essay Title

Here are additional rules and tips for creating a good title, summarized and rewritten in simpler language:

  • Reflect the Theme: Make sure your title reflects the main idea of your essay. It should give readers a good idea of what your essay is about.
  • Use Title Case: Capitalize the first letter of every word in your title, except for small words like pronouns (e.g., "it," "they"), articles (e.g., "a," "an," "the"), prepositions (e.g., "in," "on," "at"), and conjunctions (e.g., "and," "but"). These small words are not capitalized unless they are the first word in the title.
  • Avoid Underlining: Don't underline your title. Bold text is usually sufficient to emphasize the title. Some experts suggest that if you really want to underline it, don't bold it at the same time to avoid overemphasis.
  • Using a Colon: If you decide to use a colon in your title, remember to follow the rules. A colon is used to separate two interesting parts of the title.

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Dos and Don'ts for Essay Titles

Look at the dos and don'ts below and follow to create a strong title for your essay.

Here are some good and bad essay titles:

Good and Bad Essay Titles - MyPerfectWords.com

Attention Grabbing Essay Title Ideas

Here is a list of titles for different types of essays to get you inspired.

Argumentative Essay Titles

  • The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility
  • Should College Education Be Free for All?
  • Impact of Social Media on Youth: Boon or Bane?
  • Debunking Myths About Climate Change: The Scientific Evidence
  • Is Social Media Addiction Real? Exploring the Psychological Effects

Personal Essay Titles

  • Finding My Voice: A Journey of Self-Discovery
  • Lessons from the Playground: Growing Up with Siblings
  • Embracing Change: My Transition to a New Country
  • Through the Lens: Capturing Life's Moments
  • Unexpected Connections: Friendship Beyond Borders

Analytical Essay Titles

  • Exploring Symbolism in "The Great Gatsby"
  • The Psychological Depth of Shakespeare's Hamlet
  • Analyzing Economic Inequality in Modern Society
  • The Evolution of Feminism in Literature
  • Understanding the Impact of AI on Job Markets

Persuasive Essay Titles

  • Implementing Mandatory Recycling Programs: A Sustainable Solution
  • Banning Single-Use Plastics: Protecting Our Oceans
  • The Importance of Mental Health Education in Schools
  • Promoting Renewable Energy: Investing in Our Future
  • Why Animal Testing Should Be Banned: Ethical Considerations

Compare-and-Contrast Essay Titles

  • A Tale of Two Cities: Contrasting Urban Development in New York and Tokyo
  • Comparing Classical and Operant Conditioning in Psychology
  • Cultural Traditions: Contrasting Marriage Practices in East and West
  • The Artistic Styles of Picasso and Van Gogh: A Comparative Analysis
  • Comparing Different Approaches to Healthcare Systems Around the World

College Application Essay Titles

  • My Journey to Studying Astrophysics
  • Overcoming Challenges in Pursuit of Education
  • Diversity in Perspective: Embracing My Multicultural Identity
  • The Power of Volunteerism: Impacting Communities Through Service
  • How I Plan to Make a Difference

Essay About Yourself Titles Examples

  • My Journey to Becoming a Writer
  • Overcoming Challenges: My Personal Story
  • A Glimpse into My World
  • Lessons I've Learned from Traveling
  • My Passion for Music and Its Influence on My Life

College Essay Titles Examples 

  • The Role of Genetics in Personal Identity
  • Sustainability Practices in Urban Farming
  • The Psychological Effects of Solitude
  • Innovations in Renewable Energy Technology
  • The Impact of Virtual Learning on Student Engagement

University Essay Titles Examples

  • The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Ecosystems
  • Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Healthcare
  • The Influence of Social Media on Youth Culture
  • Economic Implications of Renewable Energy Adoption
  • The Evolution of Human Rights in International Law

Short Essay Titles Examples

  • The Art of Mindful Eating
  • Exploring Ancient Mythologies
  • The Rise of E-commerce in Modern Society
  • Understanding Neuroplasticity: The Brain's Ability to Change
  • The Influence of Literature on Society

Hopefully, now you understand how to title an essay in the best way possible. Refer to the above guidelines before you begin the writing process.

However, if you’re still wondering, " Can someone do my essay ?" look no further. Our professional essay writers at MyPerfectWords.com are here to help. Whether you need a creative title or a complete essay written from scratch, we've got you covered.

Feel free to contact our paper writer online anytime and get the best essay writing help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i title a topic.

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When titling a topic, consider using keywords that accurately reflect the subject matter. The title should be clear, concise, and relevant to the content it represents. 

Avoid overly vague or general titles that might mislead the reader.

How should I select a topic name?

When selecting a topic name, choose something that interests you and aligns with the purpose of your writing. It should be specific enough to provide a clear direction for your essay or research, yet broad enough to allow for meaningful exploration.

What is the best essay starter?

The best way to start an essay is with an engaging hook that captures the reader's attention. This could be a thought-provoking question, a surprising statistic, a vivid description, or a relevant quote. The goal is to draw the reader in and establish the tone and direction of your essay from the outset.

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Nova A.

Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

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Best Tips on How to Title an Essay

how to write a great essay title

How to Make a Good Title for an Essay

The success of an essay heavily depends on its title. This may not come as a surprise given that the essay title is the first aspect to provide the reader with a sneak peek into the text. It piques our interest to read the paper in the first place and gives us a preview of what to expect from the author.

Our research paper writing help prepared a thorough guide on how to title an essay. Here you may find tips and tricks for developing an effective APA or MLA essay title. So, let's dive straight into the article for more exciting details!

Essay Title Format

During your essay writing process, ensure you know the stylistic requirements before beginning an essay. Knowing the format you need to employ is crucial because different style manuals may have varying requirements. Mostly, you could have used an APA or MLA essay title format. Our service, where you can buy essay online , explains these two in more detail below.

Essay Title MLA

If you're required to create an essay title MLA format, check whether your instructor wants you to make a separate cover page. If not, put a heading at the beginning of your work that includes your name, the name of your professor, the course ID, and, lastly, the date.

On the other hand, if you must present a cover page for your essay title MLA, then you need to include the following:

  • The name of the college
  • The title of your paper
  • The subtitle of your paper, if applicable
  • Your first and last name
  • Your teacher or professor's name
  • The class name or course number
  • The date the paper is due

The formatting instructions are as follows:

  • Double-spaced
  • Times New Roman font
  • Size 12 font
  • Apart from very short terms, each word's initial letter should be capitalized. The initial word, however, must always be uppercase.
  • The title page shouldn't include a header with the page numbers.

Essay Title APA

Having discussed the MLA format essay title, let's explore what the APA student title page includes:

  • The paper title
  • Author names
  • Institutional affiliation where the author carried out the study
  • Name and number of the course
  • Professor name
  • Page number

The title of an essay format instructions:

  • double-spaced
  • 1" margins
  • 12-point Times New Roman
  • According to APA, your title should be targeted and brief, without unnecessary words or abbreviations

How to Choose a Good Title for an Essay: Important Qualities

Nobody will read a dull headline. Your title should grab your audience's attention and encourage them to read the rest of the work. As it is one of the initial things readers see, having a strong attention grabber is essential when writing an essay from scratch. To fully understand how to come up with a title for essay that is strong and exciting, let's consider a few following factors:

Employ a Catchy Hook - Usually, the title of essay format follows a similar basic structure, especially if they are used for an academic article. The hook serves as a unique component that attracts the reader. It's a captivating statement informing others about the topic of the essay. You can also explore several types of sentences with examples that can help you develop the ideal hook structure.

Consider Topic Keywords - These are essential terms or expressions pertinent to your subject and help your reader understand the focus and body of your article. These focus keywords should serve as a brief, one- to two-word article summary. You can choose some terms from the research topic your instructor gave you, but after your thesis statement is formed, this is where you should hunt for ideas.

Use a Colon - A colon is frequently used in academic titles to separate concepts and sentences. The standard procedure is to place a clever remark or brief quotation before the colon. Although these beginning words offer flavor, they can be overdone. Because of this, some individuals find using the colon to be repugnant. Therefore be careful not to misuse this method.

Ask a Question - To write essay title that is strong, consider asking a question. But, use it with caution because posing a question will make your tone less formal. As long as the question is suitably phrased to meet the subject of your essay, feel free to employ it. Always check to see if the title question still applies to your points in the essay's body. The thesis statement should be appropriately reflected as well.

Find Inspirational Quotes - There is no formula for selecting essay titles from the textual content. You may get playful and choose any quotation, proverb, or catchphrase that applies to your particular publication and works as a title. You may also create a great essay title using well-known expressions or idioms. Doing so will help your readers relate to and feel more comfortable discussing your subject.

How to Title an Essay headline

Here are other rules for how to create a good title:

  • Title every section of writing: In the process of writing, create interesting subheadings to give your paragraphs an identity. Also, they make your text look ordered and clear. 
  • The title must bear the theme of the text: choose a title that summarizes the essay. 
  • Capitalize all words with certain exceptions: Capitalize the first letter of every word in the title, but do not capitalize pronouns, articles, prepositions, and conjunctions.
  • Avoid underlining the title: Since topics come in boldface, underlining it will amount to overemphasis. Some authorities say that if you must underline it, do not bolden it.
  • Review the final version of the title: Do not forget to do a quick review of the final version of the title—check for grammar, structure, spelling and so on. Re-read it to determine if the title has given justice to the essay. Confirm if the topic is catchy enough to attract your reader’s attention. 
  • When using a colon in your title, follow the rules: Since we are dealing with punctuation rules here, let us talk about the colon – when you have two eye-catching topics, separate them with a colon.

Student’s Guide on How to Come Up with a Title for an Essay

Titling an essay can be easy, but there are a few core principles to be taken into account. The following tips will help you stay on track and avoid any common pitfalls.

Essay Goes First

Never start with a title! If you write it before the rest of the text, it will be based on it, and it should be vice versa. Writing an essay before choosing a heading will give you a clear understanding of what should make sense to the reader. Re-read the finished paper several times to decide on the title. The last thing to create is a title - such strategy will give more time to spend on crafting an essay outline, conducting research, or writing the paper itself.

How to Title an Essay, Complete Guide 2

What are you writing about? What is the style of your paper, and is it an academic essay or a free-form essay like a narrative essay? If the topic of your essay is “Do people who commit heinous crimes deserve the death penalty?” your title should not be humorous; it should be strict and to the point.

If your topic is “Why do people like watching funny cat videos?”, feel free to craft a funny title. Determine the tone of your essay and base your title on it—in consideration with the essay’s topic.

The tone can be:

  • Serious - “The implications of global warming”
  • Funny - “How cats and dogs love their masters”
  • Amiable - “Ways to fight depression”
  • Persuasive - “Why positive thinking is a must have skill for every person”
  • Informative - “Ten rules for creating a chemical at home”

The main goal of a title is to name its paper. There is no need to tell an entire story in the title, or provide any useless details. Sum up your paper in a few words! Another way to do this is to sum up your thesis statement, as it represents the main idea of your essay. Take your thesis and squeeze it into 3-4 words. Imagine that you are creating a title for your favourite newspaper or a slogan for Coca-Cola.

Don’t use fancy words! Take 2-3 main words (keywords), put them together, and stop wasting your time. Avoid jargon and abbreviations.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is something that can help any student and young writer reap benefits. While working on a title, detect the words related to the central idea of the paper. Type the words into the search field of Google and add the word “quote.” A search engine will show numerous web pages with in-text quotations that could be useful. Select the fragment you like. It is possible to learn how to make a creative title for an essay in this way.

Discover several more tips from experts:

  • Never forget the “What,” “Who,” “When,” “How,” “Why,” and “Where” questions (if you start with one of these questions, your title has a chance of getting noticed);
  • Come up with an unexpected image not related to the selected topic;
  • Sometimes, starting with a lie increases the chances of a title being able to catch an eye;
  • Review our catchy essay title examples.

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Feel free to contact EssayPro and we will provide you with a writing help at a moment’s notice. With the years of essay writing experience, titling becomes second nature, so you no longer need to worry about having a catchy headline on your paper.

Essay Title Examples: Bad vs Good

The strongest essay titles condense lengthy essays into concise statements. When wondering how to make an essay title, think carefully about your stylistic choices and essay format to produce an excellent one. Our dissertation help has provided essay title examples to let you understand the difference between good and bad ones more vividly.

bad good essay titles

Bad Essay Title Examples

As we discussed how to create an essay title and the specific elements that go into it, you should have a clear idea of how important it is to craft a strong title. In contrast, first, look at weak essay title ideas that can break your paper. This should serve as an example of why your heading should not be like this:

Ex 1: ' How Television Has Changed Our World ' - too vast and not informative

Ex 2: 'The Ara Pacis Augustae' - unclear for those who don't know Latin

Ex 3: 'The Most Poisonous Frog' - does not provide any insight

Ex 4: 'A Brief History of Subcultures and How They Manifest Themselves in a Constantly Changing Socio-Economic Environment' - too long and complicated

Ex 5: 'The Little Mermaid 29 Years Later: Selling a Harmful Sexist Message Through a Naughty Image' - inappropriate language

Good Essay Title Examples

Now that you know what a bad essay title looks like, let's explore good essay title examples as their substitutes. Examine the following essay title format styles that will give you a clear understanding.

Ex 1: ' The Electronic Babysitter: A Social History of Uses of the Television' - gives an exact description of what the essay will be about

Ex 2: ' The Modern Historical Significance of the Ara Pacis Augustae to the City of Rome' - here, the reader can understand what they will be reading about

Ex 3: ' A Deadly Beauty: The Evolution of Skin Coloration and Toxicity of the Poisonous Dart Frog' - clear, informative, and on-point.

Ex 4: 'Reconsidering Counterculture in Contemporary Society' - informative enough and brief

Ex 5: 'The Projection of Gender Stereotypes in The Little Mermaid' - employs appropriate language

Catchy Essay Title Ideas

You now understand that long, complicated headlines do not accurately convey the paper's main idea. Take ample time to consider the word choice before tilting your work. How do you create good essay titles? Think creatively and with common sense. But meanwhile, for your convenience, we compiled title ideas for essays you may use as inspiration.

Persuasive Essay Titles

  • Why Receiving College Education is Important: Examining Long-term Benefits
  • Face-to-Face Courses Cannot Be Replaced by Online Learning
  • An MBA Does Not Ensure Corporate Success.
  • Every Company Should Adopt a Green Strategy.
  • Energy Drinks Represent a Lucrative Market Segment.
  • Aircraft, Excess Weight Charges, Need to be Prohibited.
  • Patients' Life Shouldn't be Put to Death by Nurses.
  • Google Glasses May Increase the Number of Auto Accidents.
  • All of the Conventional Malls Will Soon be Replaced By Online Shopping
  • How Do Team-building Exercises Contribute to the Development of Inventions?
  • Illegal immigrants are entitled to remain in the US.

Academic Essay Titles

  • Several English Dialects: The Link Between Various Cultures
  • Instagram: A social media innovation
  • Is it possible to reverse drug-induced brain damage, and if so, how?
  • What the Future Holds for Humans in the Light of Artificial Intelligence
  • The Story of Two Nations after Decades of Conflict: North and South Korea
  • Video Games and Their Learning Context in Schools
  • Free Wi-Fi: Strategies for Enhancing the City's Economy

Strong Research Paper Titles

  • Digital World Cybersecurity
  • E-business to Provide New Paths for Booksellers
  • Outsourcing for Large Businesses
  • Preparing for College Costs for High School Students
  • What News Reporters Should Do in the Digital Age and How to Do It: Examples
  • The Transformative Power of Music: How Heavy Metal Impacted My Life

Best Essay Titles for College Students

  • The Possible Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence for Humans
  • The Potential for Time Travel in Virtual Reality
  • What Role Has Mathematics Played in Human History?
  • How to Succeed in the Real Estate Industry
  • E-Commerce: An Empire of Virtual Businesses Worth Millions of Dollars
  • How to Achieve Financial Independence in the Digital Age Without Opening a Real Business

More Creative Titles for Essays

  • When getting rewarded for their grades, would kids do better left alone?
  • How Does Fake News Impact the Mainstream press?
  • Homelessness in Contemporary Society: A Dilemma
  • What News Reporters' Best Job Is in the Digital Age and How to Uphold It
  • Elon Musk: Brilliant Mind or Insane Person?
  • Positives and Negatives of Employing a Smoker
  • Do We Employ the Appropriate Student Success Metrics?

Professional Academic Help

Now that you know how to make a good title for an essay, you should also understand that you should approach the task as a process. While composing your essay title, you must condense your whole thesis and point of discussion into a single, concise, yet powerful sentence. If you have time before your deadline, give it some thought and don't hurry.

Don't forget that you can always rely on our professional academic assistance, whether you need a reflection paper , ideas for a strong essay title, or any other academic papers. Consider the following words - write my essay for me - magic keywords for delegating your most complex tasks to our skilled writers!

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How To Title An Essay?

How to title an essay in mla format, what are some good titles for an essay.

Daniel Parker

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

how to write a great essay title

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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How to Come up With a Good Title

Last Updated: May 17, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Rachel Scoggins, PhD . Rachel Scoggins is a Visiting Assistant Professor of English at Lander University. Rachel's work has been presented at the South Atlantic Modern Language Association and the Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. She received her PhD in Literary Studies from Georgia State University in 2016. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 581,809 times.

Writing an essay or a story can seem like the hardest part of the project, but sometimes coming up with a catchy title can be just as challenging. However, with a combination of organization and creativity, you can create a wide selection of potential titles that will allow you to choose the perfect one for your work.

Things You Should Know

  • For non-fiction titles, try combining 2 elements, like a quote and a main theme, with a colon between them.
  • For fiction titles, jot down keywords about the main topic and characters. Arrange keywords in different combinations until you find something that you like.
  • Use strong, vivid language to make your title stand out from the crowd.

Writing a Title for Non-Fiction

Step 1 Write a draft of your essay.

  • Essays often change during the drafting and revising process. A title you come up with at the beginning may not reflect your essay when you have finished it. Make sure to also revise your title after you finish your paper.

Step 2 Identify major themes in your work.

  • Look at your thesis statement. This sentence contains the major argument of your paper and can help you craft a title.
  • Look at your topic sentences. Reading these sentences together can help you pick out themes, symbols, or motifs in your paper that can be integrated into the title.
  • Consider asking a friend to read your work to help you identify themes.

Step 3 Determine your target audience.

  • If you are writing a school assignment, or your audience are academics and specialists in your topic, use formal language. Avoid using a playful tone or slang terms.
  • If you are trying to reach an online audience, think of what keywords a reader might use to find your article. For example, if you wrote a how-to article, include words like "beginner" or "do it yourself" that would identify your writing as appropriate for all levels of ability.
  • If your piece is a news story, consider who you are writing about. For example, if are writing about an athletic team write down terms like "fan," "coach," "referee," or the team name. Readers with an interest in sports or that team can quickly identify your perspective and the topic of your story.

Step 4 Think about the function of a title.

  • Declarative titles state the main findings or conclusions.
  • Descriptive titles describe the subject of the article but do not reveal the main conclusions.
  • Interrogative titles introduce the subject in the form of a question. [6] X Research source

Step 6 Avoid titles that are too long.

  • Look for attention-grabbing descriptions or phrases you're proud of. For example, in an essay on censorship choose a phrase like "forbidden music" that is descriptive but also intriguing.

Step 8 Review your sources.

  • For example, in an essay on religious persecution, a quote like "God was silent" is arresting and thought-provoking. Readers may immediately agree or disagree and will want to read your explanation.
  • If you use someone else's words, make sure to put them in quotation marks, even in the title.

Step 9 Create a list of possible titles.

  • The Negative Impact of Replacement Referees on Football Fans (Theme and Audience)
  • "A Crucible of Victory": Understanding the Western Front in World War One (Quote and Theme)
  • The Queen of Diamonds: Marie-Antoinette and Revolutionary Propaganda (Phrase and Theme)

Step 10 Respect conventions.

  • Most words in your title should begin with a capital letter.
  • The first word and the first word after a colon should always be capitalized even if one of the "short words."
  • In general, do not capitalize the following words: and, a, an, the, or short prepositions if they are not the first letter in the title.
  • If the title of a book or film is part of your essay title, it should be put in italics, e.g., Gender Relationships Between Vampires in Twilight. Short story titles are always in quotation marks.
  • Know if the paper follows MLA, APA, or another style. Websites like Purdue University's Online Writing Lab , APA Style , and MLA Handbook can help you with conventions for titles.

Writing a Title for Fiction

Step 1 Brainstorm ideas.

  • For example, many young adult fantasy novels hinge on one or two intriguing words: Twilight, Bitten, Cinder, The Selection .

Step 3 Make the title exciting.

  • Try adding a more descriptive word to the basic title. Successful titles using the above words include The Giving Tree, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, The Mystery of the Blue Train , and The Orphan Train .

Step 4 Make the title easy to remember.

  • Read your title out loud. Does it roll off the tongue? Is it exciting? Does it sound boring? Would you check out this title? The answers to these questions can help you revise the title.

Step 5 Pay attention to the wording.

  • For example, the use of the word desire in Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms is far more interesting than Love Under the Elms . [10] X Research source

Step 7 Seek inspiration.

  • Examples of this type of title include: The Grapes of Wrath; Absalom, Absalom; Gaudy Night and, The Fault in Our Stars .

Step 8 Read your own work.

  • Examples of this type of title include To Kill a Mockingbird, Catch-22, and Catcher in the Rye.

Step 9 Write down your inspirations when they come.

Draw inspiration for a variety of sources. "Ideas seem to come from everywhere – my life, everything I see, hear, and read, and most of all, from my imagination. I have a lot of imagination."

Community Q&A

Tom De Backer

  • Write the whole essay, go to your thesis and find a way to narrow it down to two to four words. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Try this template to generate a good title. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

how to write a great essay title

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Write in Third Person

  • ↑ https://www.trentu.ca/academicskills/how-guides/how-write-university/how-approach-any-assignment/writing-english-essay/drafting-english
  • ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/themes/
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/research_papers/identifying_audiences.html
  • ↑ https://writing.umn.edu/sws/assets/pdf/quicktips/titles.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6398294/
  • ↑ https://blog.efpsa.org/2012/09/01/how-to-write-a-good-title-for-journal-articles/
  • ↑ https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185911
  • ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/title
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
  • ↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/at-work-on-first-draft/7-tips-to-nail-the-perfect-title

About This Article

Rachel Scoggins, PhD

To help you come up with a title for an essay, write a draft of your paper first so you know what its main themes are. Then, write down key points in your essay that you could include in the title. Before making a decision, take your audience into account, such as by trying to include keywords in a title if your article is for an online audience. Additionally, decide whether you want to state the conclusion of your piece up front with a declarative title or introduce the subject as a question with an interrogative title. For tips on how to come up with a title for a story or other work of fiction, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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how to write a great essay title

How To Write An Essay

How To Title An Essay

Barbara P

Learn How to Title an Essay Like a Professional Writer

15 min read

Published on: Mar 1, 2023

Last updated on: Oct 25, 2024

how to title an essay

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A title is the one thing that makes your essay and all academic papers impressive. This is because it is the first thing that a reader looks at and decides whether to give your essay a shot or not. 

Naturally, things with amusing and interesting titles tend to be more read-worthy.  A right and accurate title can either make your essay a success or a complete disaster. 

It might sound easy to give a title to your essay, but it can be daunting in reality. Creating a title is an art, and not everybody knows how to do it. 

This writing guide is provided to know how important it is to give a correct title to your writing and polish your writing skills. 

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What is an Essay Title

An essay title is the name or label given to an essay, which provides a brief summary of the main topic or theme of the essay.

It should be catchy, informative, and relevant to the content of the essay, while also giving readers an idea of what to expect from the writing. 

A good essay title should capture the reader's attention and make them interested in reading the essay.

Purpose and Importance of Essay Title

A title holds great importance in essay writing . It can easily make or break the quality of your work. 

Choosing a title that interests the audience and motivates them to read your essay. This is because they are intrigued, it serves as fertile land to present your knowledge, ideas, writing skills, and critical thinking.   

Qualities of an Essay Title

When coming up with the topic or title for your essays, keep in mind that it should contain the following qualities: 

  • Eye-catching and unique: The title should be eye-catching and unique to grab the reader's attention.
  • Based on facts: A good title is always believable and based on facts. Especially for writing essay types and papers that stand on facts and logic should have believable titles. 
  • Audience-appropriate: Readability is key. Using fancy and bombastic vocabulary that is not common for the audience will affect the readership. 
  • Tone: A great essay title is always written in an active voice. 
  • Brief and Short: The title should be brief and to the point. Avoid dragging titles into long sentences. 
  • To-the-Point: An essay title should be accurate and clearly present the main theme of the essay. This will allow the reader to know what to expect from the document. 

Components of an Essay Title

Just as all formal writings have an outline to follow, a good essay title is constructed using a formula as well. Keep in mind that the shorter, the better. A title must not exceed 10 to 12 words.

The components of an essay title include

  • An attention-grabbing and catchy hook
  • Tone sets the overall mood or attitude conveyed by the title.
  • The focus keyword - the "where" and "when" in your essay. 

Once you know the importance and elements of an essay title, you are more likely to create a better title.

How to Title an Essay?

Almost all essay writers find it tricky to make an appropriate title for their essays. However, writing a title is not only based on good writing skills. You need to know the basics of creating it. 

A good and effective essay title can be created by taking the following steps:

1. First Write an Essay 

It will be extremely beneficial and easy to create a title once you have written an entire essay.

After writing your essay, you will be clear about what title suits your content the most. Complete your essay and then start reading it.

This will give you a clearer picture of how to address the essay properly.

Deciding on a topic or a title can be time taking. Another advantage of writing a title at the end is that it saves a lot of your time. 

Also, the wrong topic makes it difficult for you to choose the best essay title.  

Struggling with getting started with your essay? Check out this helpful guide on how to write an essay !

2. Use your Thesis Statement

There is another reason you should leave your title for an end.  An effective title provides a reason for the readers to read your essay. The best part to find a reason is in the thesis statement in the introduction of your essay . 

You can always get a title from a thesis statement or by using a part of that argument in the title. 

3. Popular Phrases

Catchphrases and cliches that go with the theme of your essay can be used as the titles as well. When popular phrases are appropriate and interesting, they make effective puns. 

Play with the cliches and twist them to create something of your own. Be creative and innovative for your titles as much as you can. 

4. Consider the Tone

Another trick to creating an effective title for your essay is to consider the essay's tone and come up with something related to it. 

If the tone and subject of your essay are serious and sad, never make the mistake of addressing your title in an informal and fun way.  

Do not try to go off the wall in such cases. The tone of your essay and the title have a strong connection to a good essay. 

5. Use a Central Idea or a Quote 

It is not mandatory but an easy way to create a title that uses a central idea. You can use a quote as the title of your essay topic. 

If the purpose is served correctly, even song lyrics work the best sometimes. 

6. Summary in Three Words

The most common and basic technique is to get a title from the summary of your essay. 

A writer can summarize the entire essay or the central idea and thesis statement in three words and write a title. 

This can be a title by putting it in a headline, inserting a colon, and stating the purpose of your essay. 

7. Movie Titles in an Essay 

A movie title can also be used as a title in an essay.

There are some basic ways to do that. A writer can highlight the title, use a capital letter for the first letter of the movie title, and italicize its font. 

Another technique is by creating a sentence structure and using a movie title in it. You can use quotation marks as well as the underlining tool. However, title the essay according to the field of study and don't make it irrelevant. 

Mistakes to Avoid While Giving a Title to Your Essay

Here are some tips to keep in mind when crafting effective essay titles to avoid common mistakes:

  • Positive themes

Avoid writing about sensitive, unethical, or immoral topics, such as drugs, prostitution, or murder.

  • Personal information

Your personal negative experiences should not be included in your essay. However, you can still include lessons learned from those experiences in a professional manner.

  • Relevant Questions

Make sure to ask questions that are relevant to your field of study to ensure you choose an appropriate topic.

  • Professional tone

Keep your essay professional and avoid including personal information or experiences that are not relevant. Your readers are not interested in your personal life.

  • Understanding requirements

It's important to understand your professor's requirements to avoid choosing the wrong topic and wasting time and effort.

  • Neutral perspective

Avoid taking an offensive approach in your essay and steer clear of controversial topics such as religion, abortion, and politics.

How to Title an Essay in Different Formats?

All academic essays require a format through which the writer shapes his document. This format varies from academic level to level and institution as well. The format styles include MLA, APA, Chicago, and Harvard. 

MLA, APA, and Chicago are the most common formats that are usually used. If you are writing an essay choosing a specific format, all of the parts should be drafted accordingly. 

From titling an essay to drawing a conclusion, the writer must follow the format properly to create a strong essay. 

How to Title an Essay in MLA Format?

No matter which essay format you are using to shape your argumentative essay, descriptive essay, etc. The qualities of the title and components remain the same.

Although the formatting of the title may differ. For an MLA style , format your essay title in the following pattern:

  • On the cover page of your essay, using double spacing, write your name in the upper left corner
  • Along with your name, present your instructor's name, the course title, and the date. 
  • Double-space a line and using centered alignment, provide the essay title in font size 12 pt. 
  • Do not bold or italicize the title.
  • Capitalize important words only and not the articles in the title. 

How to Format an Essay in APA Format?

If you are writing an essay in APA style, you might be wondering how to title an essay in apa format. 

Simply use the following guidelines to format your title and make your writing process easy: 

  • Type the title in upper and lowercase letters
  • Use centered alignment on the upper half of the page and write the title
  • The title in APA style should not exceed more than 12 words
  • Avoid using abbreviations and irrelevant words 
  • The title should be presented in a line or two and not more than that
  • Use double spacing between the lines 
  • Beneath the title, write your name and the institutional affiliation.

How to Title an Essay Chicago Style 

To create an appropriate final version of the title for your essay in Chicago style, you should follow certain guidelines.

  • Use a heading level 2 (H2) for your title
  • Center the title on the page and use title case capitalization
  • Keep the title informative and concise, aiming for no more than 12-15 words
  • Consider including relevant keywords to make your essay easier to find
  • Avoid using slang or informal language in your title
  • Use proper grammar and punctuation

How to Choose a Good Title for an Essay 

Choosing a good title for an essay is crucial as it sets the tone and theme for the reader. 

Here are some important qualities to consider when selecting a title:

  • Informative: A good title should give the reader an idea of what the essay is about. It should be concise and clearly convey the main topic or argument of the essay.
  • Catchy and Memorable: A title that is catchy and memorable can grab the reader's attention and make them more likely to read the essay. Consider using wordplay, puns, or alliteration to make your title stand out.
  • Unique: A title that is unique and original can make your essay stand out from others. Avoid using generic or cliche titles that have been overused.
  • Accurate: A title should accurately reflect the content of the essay. Avoid using sensational or misleading titles that do not accurately convey the main point or argument of the essay.
  • Relevant: A title should be relevant to the current times or issues. Especially in subjects like current events, social or political issues, and scientific research.
  • Reflective of Tone: The title should also reflect the tone of the essay. If the essay is humorous, the title should be as well. If the essay is serious or academic, the title should reflect that.

Essay Title Examples

Just like the tone of every essay differs, the title also differs from each type of essay. For example, movie titles can only be used for informal writing and narrative essays. 

Some examples of essay titles are provided below.

Here are some more examples of essay titles.

Tips to Draft an Essay Title

Titles for Different Types of Essay

How To Title An Essay About A Book

Bad vs Good Essay Title Examples

Tips for Crafting an Outstanding Title 

Here are some tips for crafting an outstanding title:

  • Brainstorm: Begin by brainstorming a list of potential titles for your essay or paper. Write down as many ideas as you can think of, even if they seem silly or irrelevant at first.
  • Be Specific: A good title should be specific and accurate. It should give the reader an idea of what the essay is about. Avoid vague or general titles that don't provide any useful information.
  • Use Keywords: Including keywords in your title can make it easier for readers to find your work in searches. Consider what words or phrases a person might use to search for your topic and incorporate them into your title.
  • Be Creative: A creative and unique title can make your work stand out from others. Consider using wordplay, puns, alliteration, or metaphors to create a memorable and attention-grabbing title.
  • Keep It Short and Sweet: While a title should be specific and informative, it should also be concise. Try to keep your title under 10-12 words, as longer titles can be difficult to read and remember.

For more tips, you can check out this video:

The success of your overall essay is not just based on how well you presented the argument and conducted research to gather the information. A title plays a vital role as well. 

Creative titles are like the icing on the cake. Nobody will want to read it when it will not appeal to them. 

Make your college essay and paper flawless, as they are the only thing that will get you scores in academics. So, you have to know what mistakes to avoid and what to do when title the essay.   

However, you can ask professionals at our best essay service to write your essays perfectly and with the best quality.

Place your " write my college essay for me " request today to get your essays and research papers written by professionals and get writing services at exciting prices. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to use a question or a statement as my essay title.

Whether to use a question or a statement as your essay title depends on the content and purpose of your essay.

Using a question can be effective if your essay is exploratory and seeks to answer a specific question. On the other hand, using a statement can be more appropriate if your essay has a clear argument or thesis statement.

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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how to write a great essay title

IMAGES

  1. How To Write A Good Essay Title? A Definitive Guide

    how to write a great essay title

  2. How to Title an Essay? The Complete Guide to Essay Title

    how to write a great essay title

  3. How to Title an Essay: Tips and Examples

    how to write a great essay title

  4. How to Title an Essay: Tips and Examples

    how to write a great essay title

  5. How to Title an Essay: Guide with Creative Examples [2023]

    how to write a great essay title

  6. How to Title an Essay: Tips and Examples

    how to write a great essay title

VIDEO

  1. How To Write A PERFECT YouTube Title That Gets Views (WORKS EVERY TIME)

  2. Top tips for writing a great essay

  3. How To Write Title & Tags On Etsy (2024)

  4. How to Write a Great Academic Paper Title

  5. How Do You Write The Title of a YouTube Video in an Essay?

  6. How do you write a catchy title in an essay?

COMMENTS

  1. How to Title an Essay, With Tips and Examples

    Guidelines for essay titles in Chicago Manual of Style format. Chicago style also requires that essay titles be in title case. Other than that, Chicago style doesn't have specific guidelines for what a title should or shouldn't include. Here is an example of an essay title in Chicago style: 2021 Returns: What We Projected vs. Actual Returns

  2. How to Title an Essay: Tips on Coming up with a Good Title for an Essay

    A good essay title has to be written in a language the target audience would understand easily. ... which can also help you write a good title for an essay. Making a good start means staying positive. Even when the essay topics are dreary, attempt to write less negatively. Good headlines for essays also use appropriate language to attract more ...

  3. How to Title an Essay: Tips and Examples

    The Importance of a Good Essay Title . The significance of a good essay title cannot be overstated. Beyond its role as a mere label, a compelling title serves as a powerful tool for drawing your professor's attention. A good title not only encapsulates the essence of the essay but also reflects the author's voice and perspective.

  4. How to Find a Catchy Title for Your Paper/Essay: 10 Steps

    Coming up with an effective title can end up being the most difficult part of your essay. A catchy title can make your paper stand out from the pile and give your reader a sense of the content, slant, and perspective of your essay. ... the title of an essay about the Great Leap Forward might be something simple, professional, and clear, such as ...

  5. How to Title an Essay Properly- An Easy Guide

    Here are the characteristics of a good essay title: Clear and Concise: Directly conveys the main topic or argument. Engaging: Captures the reader's interest and curiosity. ... There are a few codes that you should keep in mind when titling an essay. #1 Write Essay First, Title in the Last.

  6. How to Title an Essay: Tips and Examples

    Here are other rules for how to create a good title: Title every section of writing: In the process of writing, create interesting subheadings to give your paragraphs an identity. Also, they make your text look ordered and clear. The title must bear the theme of the text: choose a title that summarizes the essay. Capitalize all words with certain exceptions: Capitalize the first letter of ...

  7. How Do I Write a Great Title?

    Good titles often include: A hook; A set of key terms; A source; Approach #1: Titles for Academic Papers. Good academic titles reveal not only the topic of the paper but some idea of your specific approach, argument, and area of discussion. Here are some typical and useful academic titles: Good Bye Lenin!: Free Market Nostalgia for Socialist ...

  8. How to Come up With a Good Title (with Pictures)

    Writing an essay or a story can seem like the hardest part of the project, but sometimes coming up with a catchy title can be just as challenging. However, with a combination of organization and creativity, you can create a wide selection of potential titles that will allow you to choose the perfect one for your work.

  9. Get Creative: Learn How to Title an Essay That Stands Out

    Almost all essay writers find it tricky to make an appropriate title for their essays. However, writing a title is not only based on good writing skills. You need to know the basics of creating it. A good and effective essay title can be created by taking the following steps: 1. First Write an Essay

  10. Forging good titles in academic writing

    In an academic essay, you can use highly technical terms in your title, but generally avoid terms that the average well-read person in your discipline might not know. In any writing that has a broad audience, titles need to avoid language that is too sophisticated; a news article, for example, should be easily understood by all.