Writing songs is a practice that contains key elements: Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Lyrics and THE HOOK. Hooks are lyrics lines or instrumental riffs that make a song memorable. The part that becomes like an earworm in the brain, sung over and over in refrain, say it again!
For example, “I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can…” Barely anyone knows or cares about the rest of those Corey Hart lyrics. But Sunglasses at Night! What a great hook.
When I am thinking about titles for any other piece of writing, I still look for the hook. A balance between universal and unique that will catch the reader and make them want to continue. Songwriters strive for the ‘show don’t tell’ method of creating images that provoke the listener into having an emotional response. A good hook makes an instant connection. You’ll see that in good titles as well.
Spend any amount of time on social media and you are bombarded by ‘click bait’ titles. Every click is advertising dollars for the originating blog. It often appears that more effort was spent on crafting the headline than researching the body of the article. For a content consumer, it can be like biting into an amazing looking pastry to find it full of sawdust. But that emotional grab of the title skillfully directed your desire to reach for it.
Titles should be appropriately balanced with the style and content of the article. The colon is commonly used to expand on the core idea of the title or present a cool statement or image to draw in a reader. There is a debate about the overuse of the colon in the titles of some disciplines, for fear that “Titles with colons often make the titles longer and cutesier than necessary.” Schultz, D. (2010). Whether to use colons in titles eloquentscience.com. Eloquentscience.com
Personally, I like to use em-dashes — but I think that is from adoring Emily Dickinson.
When I searched the topic “Intuition and Science” I found that titles were quite stylized to their intended audience. There wasn’t too much of the over-hyped, shock value style that makes me suspect I’m in the midway of click bait. But still, they subtly offer to give some emotional value to the reader. Common is the “10 ways That Your Life Will Improve” style, “Why this content is so relevant to YOU” style or the ego stroking “You are a smart person that reads smart things” approach.
The Science of Intuition: How to Measure ‘Hunches’ and ‘Gut Feelings’
The Science Behind Intuition And How You Can Use It To Get Ahead At Work
Your Gut Feeling Is Way More Than Just A Feeling: The Science Of Intuition
10 Things Highly Intuitive People Do Differently
Go With Your Gut — Intuition Is More Than Just A Hunch, Says New Research
The Science of Intuition: An Eye-Opening Guide to Developing Your Sixth Sense
Journal titles leaned toward solution-based methods of engaging: asking a question, solving a problem, expressing that new ideas are ahead. All still working on making a connection that invites in a reader.
What has happened to intuition in science education?
The Role of Intuition in Science
Choosing Effective Methods for Design Diversity-How to Progress from Intuition to Science.
Intuition: What science says (so far) about how and why intuition works
Beyond intuition and instinct blindness: Toward an evolutionarily rigorous cognitive science
I wondered about the lack of compelling images and assume that is in part due to the topic choice. If I were to write about intuition and science I might try titles like this:
Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs Shared a Secret Weapon
The Womb of Innovation: Intuition
Following Gut Hunches Down the Road Less Traveled
Inner Listening: What is our DNA telling us? (I like that question style!)
The Instinct of Intuition: Primal Response Leads to Creative Genius
One last intersection of songwriting and title generating: Musicality. Say the title out loud to check for how it rolls out of the mouth. Vowel choices, meter, internal rhymes, alliteration etc can make or break a title. Kind of like naming a baby!
Titles are a calling card for a piece of work, an outstretched hand to readers, the invitation to engage. Readers are time-strapped and overwhelmed with the volume of content flying at them. To be noticed in the crowd, a title has to make a split second connection and evoke a response. So, just what do our titles say about what we have to give?
5 potential titles for this blog post:
No One Cares — Turn Heads with a Title
Sunglasses At Night: The Song Hook Approach to Writing a Catchy Title
Connect, Then Direct: How to Hook Readers With A Compelling Title
Songwriter’s Guide to the Untitled Universe
Why The *** Should I Read Your Article? (Inside Tips on a Click Worthy Title)
Schultz, D. (2010). Whether to use colons in titles eloquentscience.com. Eloquentscience.com
Gathering Seeds 