A title is a foreword to a piece of writing that arrests the audience’s attention immediately. It works as a sneak peek into the fictional universe of a creative write-up.
In fact, it can be said that titles deserve the maximum artistic endeavor on the part of an author. This is because ultimately it is the title which puts off or invites the readers to go on to read an article or leave it.
Let’s scrutinize today some interesting strategies to design succinct titles for the genre of descriptive writing.
1. Characterization
Whether it’s an unforgettable teacher, your beloved uncle or aunt, or your adorable pet, you can always enrich their descriptions with telling adjectives.
Show what perception you bear of these in your mind by using words of endearment or strongly evocative descriptions.
The below examples demonstrate how it is good to build on your character using rich vocabulary:
My Cuddly Wuddly Kitten (Describe a kitten)
Our Whizzy Gizmo (Describe your parent's smartphone)
A Duo of Kindred Spirits or Bosom Buddies: Me and My Pal (Describe a friend)
2. Punning
Playing with words is often the forte of many writers. A pun involves deliberate evocation of a substitute word which is similar in spelling and sound to the original word but contrasts totally in meaning. It gives humorous effect when placed in its specific context.
A Case of Essentials (Describe a pencil case)
A Motivational Step of My Step Uncle (Describe an uncle/aunt)
3. Revealing the Protagonist
Instead of always the opening paragraph, it may be the title which sometimes introduces the protagonist of a descriptive write up. An author can explore a wide range of possibilities in this regard to establish his central character or theme in the limelight, right at the start of his narration.
A Sophisticated Humanoid (Describe your favourite toy)
An Ultramodern Modular Kitchen (Describe a kitchen)
4. Cueing
What the connotative may convey, the denotative may not. A writer often goes en route the symbolic terrain before rendering his meaning in clear blacks and whites. Cues are dropped using certain representational or associative diction, closely related to the subject being dealt with.
Here are a few sample titles carrying such intended indirect references:
A Day with Throngs and Queues (Describe a busy day in a bank)
A Canine Connection (Describe a dog)
A Visage of Resplendence (Describe a grey crowned crane)
The Auburn Royalty (Describe a tiger)
5. Alliteration
The time honored figurative techniques come in handy even in titling your write-ups.
A Place of Pots, Pans and Peelers (Describe a kitchen)
Super Stylish Super Cuts (Describe a hair salon or barber shop)
A Silent Speechless Spectator (Describe a chair in a waiting room)
Titling in descriptive writing is not limited to the above discussion alone. One may go far and wide scouting for the most suitable title for his creative write up. Be as unique, ingenious and original as possible. Remember – your title is the landmark to your literary creation.