Most students do not ask the question, “How to write a title for an essay?” That’s because most do not really think of a title as an important part of the essay. They are worried about the content of the piece and writing it well.
But a title can be a pretty important piece of your essay. It is the first thing that a reader is going to see, and it can either intrigue or excite them or make them think that what follows is pretty boring. Which would you rather have?
No One Teaches You How to Write a Title for an Essay
Why is that? We go through high school learning how to write essays with good introductions and conclusions; we learn how to make outlines so our essays and papers are well structured. And all of these things are important.
But read any news article, and you can see that journalists obviously know how to title an essay. What they write always makes us want to read the article, or at least some of it. They know how to make a creative title.
Why Titles are Important
Again, learning how to write a title for an essay is an important skill. It is the icing you are going to put on the cake (your essay). It is what can amuse, intrigue, or inspire the reader, and it can influence how s/he will “feel” about your essay right away.
So, it makes sense to spend time learning how to choose a good title for an essay. Let’s “get you some of that.”
How to Make a Catchy Title for an Essay
There are a few strategies that you can use as you work on how to think of a title for an essay. Try one or more of these – one might just work for you.
- Use an Analogy
Using interesting comparisons of things and ideas can create interest in an essay to follow. For example, if you were to write a personal narrative essay as an English comp assignment, you might be writing about a job interview. An intriguing title might be something like, “A Job Interview Can Be Like a Root Canal.” Using these catchy comparisons can be a great way when looking at how to make an essay title.
- Place Your Opinion in the title
This can give your title some interest. If you are thinking about how to choose a title for an essay that is argumentative, then this is a good option. For example, you may want to write an essay on obesity in America. Your title might be: “America’s Fat Problem – a Matter of Education and Self-Control.” You have actually put your thesis statement in your title (but you’ll put it in your introduction too).
- Use References to Popular Media
When wondering how to think of a title for an essay, think of some popular TV shows or a movie. Can you use one of them in your title? “America’s Indebted Students – Two Broke Girls Times 37 Million.”
- Put Problem and Consequences in Your Title
If you are going to write an essay on a problem of some type, this may be a great idea for how to title an essay. If you are writing an essay on rising oceans, for example, you might use a title like, “Rising Tides – Adios Miami”
- Reference a Personal Experience
You may be assigned a personal reflection or response essay. Suppose you are a sociology major who has completed a field experience in a drug rehab center, and you have found opioid addiction first aid basics alarming. Wondering how to title your essay? Put your personal response in the title: “Opioid Addiction – an American Tragedy.”
The Title Intrigues – the Essay Gets the Grade
You may know how to make a creative title for an essay. How’s your writing skill? The essay itself must follow that title and it must be scholarly and well-written. If you are unsure about your topic, the research that should be done, or the actual writing, then get some help. Read some writing services reviews and pick a reputable company that is recommended.