Choosing a title.

     First, do not look for a title, if you do not first have a topic! 
 
     A title is like a compressed main idea, a “mini-abstract” of the paragraph; therefore, you must choose it very carefully!  A title should overview the entire article, be a focal point, and a point of unity.  It should crystalize the topic, and provide a “spring-board” to structured paragraphs of information.  Choosing a title in haste, and without thinking, is not a good thing; it should be thought out, over time.  Choosing a title should be an evolving and developmental process–unless, of course, you get a sudden “flash” of insight.  (This is why it is necessary to start your writing process early on, and not at the last minute.) 
 
     Choosing a title helps you to further focus your subject matter to a point, then evaluate it, to see if it can be re-expanded in a structured way.  Often, a two-part title (with a full-colon in between) is useful.  For example, see this book’s title.  Here are some other examples: 
     “From tree-frog chirps to calling geese: a study of the language of wildlife at a local pond.” 
     “Under flowing branches: the symbolic use of willow trees in Qing Dynasty love poetry.” 
     “From oven to plate: how steamed buns are made in the local bakery.” 
 
     Again, to remind you, here is what I wrote on “choosing a title” in the earlier section on paragraph writing: 
     “Topic” and “title” are not the same thing.  As with the topics, you should choose a title that says everything about your paragraph–all in a few words.  The title is a sort of summary, which a reader can read at once, and know what the paragraph is about.  You need to think (and write) like the newspaper journalist, who says everything important “up front”, giving the reader control over knowing what the article is about, and therefore able to decide whether to read the article or not.  Some titles can be too broad, and some too narrow; you must choose something in the middle, which says it all.  Again, let some time go by....