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?

For further assistance please contact the Wolak Learning Center at 603.645.9606 (Campus Students) and Online Writing Center at 866.721.1662 (Online Students).  You can schedule a 1:1 appointment with a writing coach at the SNHU Academic Support scheduling page. You can also chat with the Online Writing Center.

This information is intended as guidelines, not expert advice. If you’re in any doubt, contact your professor or instructor about the correct way to format a paper for your course assignments.

Content authored by: CD