Crafting Captivating Titles for Your Research Paper.
A good title shouldn't grab the reader's attention with flashy words and unfulfilled promises. It should whisper itself through the sentences it is meant to represent. It should be intriguing and engaging without being overly obvious or confusing. A good title should subtly tease an ending before it begins. Too often, scientific researchers cut straight to the point in their titles, eliminating any confusion, so the readers know exactly what they will be reading about.
"The impact of integrating mental health services within a prison setting."
It's a surprising shame that scientific writers, known for their run-on sentences and confusing dialogue, decided that the title, of all things, is where they want to eliminate any chance of confusion. A good title is a chance to make a dull paper intriguing; this opportunity shouldn't be wasted for clarity's sake.
However, most researchers can't resist old habits, and end up puking a title that is incredibly dull and very hard to grasp.
"Commonalities and distinctions between two neurodevelopmental disorder subtypes associated with SCN2A and SCN8A variants and literature review."
Below is an example of a title with wasted potential.
"Serial killing in schizophrenia"
This title is intriguing, yet it is unmemorable and doesn't encourage the reader to dive deeper into the research —but it could be so much more.
For reference, the title above is for a research paper about schizophrenia and its correlation to serial killers. This is obvious from the title, but what's its story? The title doesn't even hint at it. For context, here is the riveting conclusion of the research paper: “This illustration of the serial killer emphasizes the dangerousness of delusional identification syndrome. Early identification and treatment are primordial to prevent violent behaviour."
Remember, a good title should tease the ending before it begins. This research paper examines a man who falsely believes his victims are his childhood abusers, revealed to him in dreams (delusional identifications). This case study wants to show how dangerous this syndrome is and highlight the specific methods and treatments of how to prevent it - This is the story. The original title is too broad and lacks the depth that the paper will inevitably dive into. What if the authors did this instead,
"Illuminating the Darkness: The Dangers of Delusional Identification Syndrome and the Importance of Early Intervention".
This title captures the key themes of the conclusion, namely the dangers of the syndrome and the importance of early intervention. The use of the words "illuminating" and "darkness" creates a contrast that reflects the contrast between the reality of the situation and the delusions of the serial killer.
Think about the popular horror film, "A Nightmare on Elm Street". The title is elusive, yet not confusing. Although it's not exactly clear what the story will be about from the title, we slowly piece it together, and then, in retrospect, the whispering of the title becomes a scream. "Elm street", is where the story takes place, and "A Nightmare" represents the physical nightmares the victims have and the mental anguish the antagonist causes them. The title evokes a sense of fear and anxiety, a key element in the film —something that, "Investigation of Sleep-related Paralysis and Hallucinations in Individuals Residing on Elm Street" just wouldn't capture.
Storytelling is an intricate part of human nature. It is embedded in all our endeavors and pursuits We must only sacrifice creativity for clarity when it is absolutely necessary. Creating a good title for a research paper is an art form, it requires skill, creativity, and a keen sense of storytelling that maintains a respect for the science it is communicating. It should be reflective of the paper’s content and memorable. By focusing on these elements, writers can create titles that engage readers and encourage them to ask questions. Always remember, keep your thesis clear and your evidence informative; but for god's sake, don't kill your title.