How to write strong headlines

A title tells the reader what to expect in the content of your writing.

Readers often prefer non-fiction titles to give a clearer idea of ​​the content, while a fiction title may only give a clue that is elaborated as the story is read.

I’m sure that whenever you read a newspaper or magazine, you scan the headlines to find out which articles you want to read and which ones you will ignore. This is common, and is the reason why publishers consider titles very carefully.

To get the reader’s attention, it has become fashionable these days to make headlines as witty as possible. Some may be puns; others may be designed to make you question what the article or story is about so you at least take a look. The results can be a lot of fun or end up being ridiculous. Funny or cute titles occasionally backfire, and I’m sure they’ve been laughed at titles that clearly said a different message than the writer intended.

So what is a good title?

• Get the reader’s attention. This is best done by using well-chosen active verbs, specific nouns, and descriptive adjectives.

• It is appropriate to the content, giving an honest hint of what it contains.

• It is appropriate to the style of the content. (For example, you wouldn’t write a cute title for a eulogy.)

• Is as concise as can be, while saying all that is needed. Long titles went out of style decades ago.

Your title will attract readers or tell them that your article will not interest them. By the way, it is okay that a reader is not interested. Not writing appeals to everyone.

Since you are now aware of what you are trying to achieve, how do you write fabulous and ‘hard hitting’ titles?

Here are some tips:

• Try to condense the meaning or theme of your writing as clearly as possible. However, this does not mean that you have to summarize the whole story so well, including the conclusion, that there is no incentive for people to read it.

• Can you use a quote or key phrase from your article or story?

• An appropriate word game can work. This can be done by rephrasing a cliche or a familiar phrase.

• Alliteration, in which each of the main words in the title begins with the same sound, is often effective.

• If you’re writing an instructional article, including ‘DIY tips’ or ‘how-to’ in the title may seem boring, but it’s still useful because people search for information using these types of phrases.

Sometimes a title will clearly form in your head before you start, but other times it won’t, so it doesn’t matter if you decide on the title before or after you’ve finished the article.

Take the time to compose the best headline you can and your efforts will be rewarded with interest.