Most essay titles are indeed statements or declarative sentences. However, it is also true that sometimes writers want to catch their readers’ attention by asking questions. And there is nothing wrong because, in writing, everything is possible, and going against the norm sometimes pays handsomely.
But what is the generally accepted view on if an essay title can be a question? If you are unsure of the answer, this article explores deeply to satisfactorily answer the question and help you gain more insights into aspects relating to essay titles.
Let’s jump in and know can an essay title be a question.
Can an Essay Title Be a Question
It is perfectly okay for an essay title to be a question. In fact, many opine that such essays get more readers because they will want to know the answer and therefore become interested in reading your piece. However, it must be perfectly framed, thought-provoking, and engaging.
Also, it is crucial to ensure that whatever you ask is something you can answer in your paper. Having a question as a title has two main advantages;
First, it makes your essay more interesting and captivating for readers. If readers see the title as a question, they will be curious about what your answer is going to be. This is especially true if the question is captivating and outside the norm. And when they come across the answer, they will look for more articles you’ve written because they see you have answers to most of their questions.
Also see: Can You Use a Rhetorical Question as a Title for an Essay
Secondly, when you ask questions in your essay title, you show that you are open-minded and willing to provide a perspective on an issue. This makes readers want to see and read this perspective and see if it adds to their knowledge gap. Therefore, it is normal to have a question as a title.
Can You Start an Essay With a Question
You can indeed use a question as the first sentence of your essay. In fact, it’s a great way to grab the reader’s attention and keep them engaged. But if you decide to go this route, there are some specific guidelines you need to follow to ensure your opening question is effective.
Additionally, when you ask a question, you invite your readers to participate in the conversation. A conversational essay is when you’re writing an essay and want your readers to participate in the discussion about your topic. Therefore, starting your essay with a question is advisable because it gets people to think about what they’re reading rather than just skimming over it without paying attention.
While there are no hard-and-fast rules about what questions work best for starting an essay, there are tips to ensure your question isn’t too broad or vague. Here are a few techniques to follow;
- Ask a question that interests you and your readers and not just one that interests you alone
- Make sure it’s relevant to the rest of your essay and not just something casual or irrelevant
- Make sure your answer will be equally enjoyable. That way, everyone stays engaged until the end
What Is a Good Title for an Essay?
Many factors define a good essay title.
Good titles are captivating, drawing you in with curiosity and setting the stage for what’s to come. A good title is often a question that provokes thought and makes readers want to know more. It’s also essential to ensure your title accurately reflects the content of your essay.
Further, a good title for an essay needs to be a topic that is engaging and interesting. A good title should not be vague, but it should also be broad enough to cover all aspects of the subject.
A good title should be clear, concise, and descriptive. For example, “Is the Death Penalty Justified?” tells readers what they’re getting into before they even start reading. It also gives them an idea of your stance on the issue.
In contrast, “My Opinion on the Death Penalty” doesn’t give much away about what you think about it until you get past the first paragraph or two of your opening sentence. This makes it harder for readers to decide whether or not they want to read further because they don’t know where you stand on the topic or why you think so strongly about it one way or another.
However, such a topic may be ideal for established individuals everyone looks up to on societal matters. Therefore, sometimes, titles may work differently for various writers, but the bottom line is that they should be enticing and at least give a hint about your essay.
Additionally, an essay title should be unique and memorable. This means the title should not just be another title talking about already known stuff. Even though you might write bout something known, the title should provide unique insights on the topic. Also, it should be memorable and ring a bell in a reader’s mind even after closing the article.
How Do You Write an Interesting Essay Title
The following are some of the best tips for writing an interesting title.
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Be creative and original
To make your essay title stand out, use a different word order. An excellent example is “How to Write an Interesting Essay Title,” which tells you what to do. On the contrary, a title like “How to Write an Interesting Essay Title: 5 Tips.” is more creative.
Another option for creating a unique essay title is using a different point of view. For example, instead of “5 Tips for Writing an Interesting Essay Title,” write something like “Five Tips for Making Your Essay Titles More Captivating.” This will help readers see that you’re giving them helpful advice on how they can improve their writing skills.
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Use adjectives
Adjectives are often used in titles because they help to paint a picture for your reader without giving away too much information about the content of your paper. For example, you can have a title on the role of women in society during the 18th century by using a title like; “Empowering Women During the 18th Century.”
This phrase tells readers that they’ll learn about how women were treated during this period and their role in society at large.
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Go the unconventional way
One way to make your title enjoyable and for readers to want to open it is to break some rules. Rather than use conventional titling methods, you can become creative and create a unique one.
For example, don’t use common words in your title. A title like “The Evolution of the Internet” is boring and unoriginal. Instead, try “The Internet – A Blessing or a Curse?” This way, your audience will be curious about your opinion and want to read your paper.