Last chapter, you learned how to organize your column — the beginning, middle, and ending structure that holds your argument together.
Now here's the challenge.
You've got your argument organized. You know what you want to say.
But before you write a single word — you need a title that makes someone stop and read it.
But nobody reads it.
Why?
Because the title was boring.
Here's the truth: your title is the first — and sometimes only — thing people see. If it doesn't catch their attention in about two seconds, they move on.
A great column with a weak title is like a great meal nobody orders because the menu description says: "Food. It is edible."
Your title has one job. Get people to read what comes next.
Let's learn how to do that.
It's not a sentence with a period. It's not a paragraph. It's usually just a few words — sometimes a question, sometimes a bold statement, sometimes a clever phrase. But it always does one thing: it pulls the reader in.
"Fix Our Canteen — Or Stop Calling It One" — that's bold, specific, and makes you want to read more.
"Why Grade 5 Students Deserve Better Lunch Options" — you know exactly what the column is about, and if you're a Grade 5 student, you're already interested.
Readers — especially young readers on a school website or school paper — make snap decisions, meaning they decide in a second whether something is worth their time. Your title is your one shot at that decision. A strong title tells readers three things instantly.
A clear title tells the reader exactly what the column is about — no guessing required. Clarity is the most important quality of a good title. Before you try to be clever or funny, make sure your title actually says something.
"The School Library Should Be Open Every Day" — you know the topic and the stance. Done.
"Some Thoughts on a Place at School" — what place? What thoughts? This title hides the topic instead of announcing it.
Always ask yourself: If someone reads only my title — do they know what my column is about? If yes — you're on the right track.
Clear is the baseline. Interesting is what makes people actually stop and read. An interesting title surprises, questions, or challenges the reader in some small way. Here are a few techniques that work.
Your title must match what your column actually says. This sounds obvious. But it's easy to write a flashy title that promises something your column doesn't deliver.
Boring titles are the most common mistake student columnists make. They're safe. They're plain. And they make readers look away.
"My Opinion About School" / "Column About the Canteen" / "I Think Something Should Change"
Ask: "What is the most interesting or surprising thing I say in this column?" That answer — usually found in the middle of your column — is often your real title.
A misleading title says one thing but means another — or promises more than the column delivers. This is worse than boring. Boring titles just lose readers. Misleading titles lose their trust.
Keep your title honest. Keep it proportional — meaning the size of your claim should match the size of your actual argument.
A title that's too long is hard to read and easy to ignore. The sweet spot for a column title is around 5 to 10 words. Long enough to say something. Short enough to read in a second.
"I Believe That the School Administration Should Consider Evaluating the Current State of the Cafeteria Food Options Available to Students During Both Lunch Periods" — that's a paragraph pretending to be a title.
"Our Canteen Food Needs a Serious Upgrade" — eight words. Clear topic. Clear stance. Done.
Who reads your school column? Mostly students — your classmates, maybe older or younger students, maybe some teachers. That means your title should speak to them. Use words they actually use. Write about things they actually care about.
"An Analysis of Institutional Shortcomings in Student Nutrition Services"
"We're Still Hungry After Lunch. Here's Why."
Tone means the feeling or attitude behind your words. Your title can be serious, playful, urgent, or confident. What matters is that the tone fits the topic. A serious problem needs a serious title. A lighter topic can have a lighter title. What you don't want is a mismatch — a playful title on a serious topic, or a dramatic title on something minor.
Here's the last test for any title you write. Ask yourself: Would I stop to read this? Be honest. If you saw this title on a bulletin board while walking to class — would you pause? You can also try this: read your title to a classmate. Ask them: "Does this make you want to read more?" Your reader's reaction is the only test that really matters.
Apply what you learned. Work through the activities below step by step.
| What to Check | Done ✅ | Try Again 🔄 |
|---|---|---|
| My title is 5–10 words long | ☐ | ☐ |
| My title tells readers what the column is about | ☐ | ☐ |
| My title matches the tone of my topic | ☐ | ☐ |
| My title is honest — it doesn't promise more than I can deliver | ☐ | ☐ |
| My title would make me stop and read if I saw it on a bulletin board | ☐ | ☐ |
Answers will differ for each student. Use the rubric above or ask your teacher for help.
Each title below has a problem — boring, misleading, too long, or wrong tone. Pick the correct problem.