How to Title an Essay Properly- An Easy Guide

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.

Example:

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.

Example:

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:

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.

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