#62 Writing Better Titles

Hey friends,

Titles are more important than what you think

Before clicking on your paper to know more about it, they read your title.

If it’s boring or unclear, they may ignore your paper.
Also, titles are openly available on the Internet (journal website, scientific databases etc…).

Think like Search Engine Optimization to get your paper discoverable on databases

When I started learning about research writing, I didn’t know there were patterns you could follow to write stronger titles

I remember working on a study with colleagues, and then I proposed a title. It was ok but was not doing justice to the work done.

But make sure you deliver what you say in your title

Now I know there are common formats that researchers use

You don’t need to guess

You can follow what works.
Here are 7 title patterns that work well

1. The Colon Format

Pattern: Main title: Subtitle

Example:
Beyond the hype: Big data concepts, methods, and analytics

This is one of the most common title styles.
You grab attention in the first part, then explain more in the second
Use this when you want to balance clarity and detail

2. Bold Statement

Pattern: A full sentence that states your main result

Example:
Novel methods improve prediction of species' distributions from occurrence data

This one works best when you have a clear result
It tells readers exactly what they’ll get
No mystery, just the main finding upfront

3. Question Title

Pattern: A question your research answers

Example:

Does training in obstetric emergencies improve neonatal outcome?

Use this when your paper explores a big or interesting question.
It makes people curious.
But make sure your paper actually answers the question.

4. -ing Start (Gerunds)

Pattern: Start with an action word ending in -ing

Example:
Analyzing scientific mobility and collaboration in the Middle East and North Africa

This makes your title feel active
It shows your process or method
Great for design or systems papers

5. Short Concept Phrase

Pattern: A short phrase that sums up your topic

Example:
The science of fake news

Use this when your topic is very focused.
Keep it short but clear.
Let the keywords speak for themselves.

6. Acronym First

Pattern: Acronym: What it does

Example:
APE: Analyses of Phylogenetics and Evolution in R language

If you created a tool, system, or model, give it a name.
Then describe what it does.
This makes your work easy to remember.

7. From X to Y

Pattern: From something to something else

Example:
From Louvain to Leiden: guaranteeing well-connected communities

Use this when your work shows a transition or shift.
It could be about change, growth, comparison, or evolution.
It gives your title a clear beginning and end.

A few more tips for strong titles:

• Be clear. Avoid complex or vague terms unless needed
• Add keywords so your paper is easier to find
• Use action verbs like “Designing”, “Evaluating” or “Analysing”
• Keep it short. Cut extra words
• Use hyphens when needed
• If you created a new model or framework, say so

Good titles help the right people find and read your work

As always, if you need clarification or assistance with your research projects, feel free to reach out to me, and I will respond

See you next Sunday!

Jamal