FAQ: How do I write and format a title for a research paper?

The title of your paper should draw your readers in.  Think creatively.  Spark their interest in what you have to say. Try using humor or a clever turn-of-phrase as an attention-getting device.  For example:

• “An Embarrassment of Riches: Does Crime Pay in Video Games?”
• “Feeling the Heat: Effects of Stress on Job Performance”
• “The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Taking Lecture Notes by Hand”
• “Breaking Bread Together: The Cafeteria as a Cornerstone of Campus Collaboration”
• “Into the Dark: Wellness and Cocoa Percentages in Chocolate”

See these related FAQs if you have questions about formatting a paper title based on the citation style required in your class, including how to format a cover sheet and other formatting details:

• How do I format a paper in APA style?
• How do I make an APA cover sheet?
• How do I format a paper in MLA style?
• How should a title page be formatted in MLA style?
• How do I format a paper in Chicago style?
• How should a title page be formatted in Chicago Style? link opens in a new window