As I enter Chapter 8 (and my character enters a dark hole in the ground - quite literally!), I find myself facing a serious question:
To title each chapter or to not?
Perhaps the more accurate question would be: to continue titling chapters or not?
The arguments over whether or not to title chapters seem to be rooted deeply in personal preference. Some writers enjoy the process of titling their chapters but might skim over them when they are reading a book. Others find the practice completely pointless or even annoying.
I, myself, did not start out titling my chapters. I simply started each chapter with a roman numeral. I, II, III, etc. Once I got to chapter VI, I realized that my chapters are on average ten to fifteen pages long. How many chapters then will I have when I'm done with my story? 20? 25? 40? Do I really want to write out 38 in roman numerals? XXXVIII? And why use roman numerals in the first place in a story about aliens and the potential end of the world as we know it?
So I opted to using western numerals followed by chapter titles. Simple enough.
The problem began when I finished chapter 7 and had no idea what to call the chapter. And I began a new train of thought: Do I really need chapter titles? Do titles actually entice or discourage readers? Do they slow the reader down and needlessly throw him off track? Do they distract from the story?
So, I got to doing some research. Mainly reading opinions that others (writers and readers of books) have expressed about chapter titles on the world wide web. I found that Chapter titles are both loved and hated. Here's a summery of what makes great titles great, and why some people might just not care for them:
First, we'll begin with the positive.
I found much love for chapter titles out there. Many people expressed that they enjoy chapter titles with the following characteristics:
1) Some of the best chapter titles will add a little something to the story. Authors might try to use the titles to add another layer of depth to the story they are telling.
2) The titles might stay within a general theme. If the story is centered around time, the titles might all have some kind of reference to time. If the story is centered around spaces or food, titles that fit within those general themes will keep the story moving forward cohesively.
3) Good titles are NOT too obvious and will not reveal too much of what is about to happen. Many people might feel discouraged if they are told what is about to happen before they've had a chance to read the chapter.
4) Humor in titles is much appreciated. Chapter titles that are funny without being too long and too revealing get much praise. In this sense, a chapter title is a great place for the author to add a little moment of lightness to the story without detracting from it. Especially if the story he's writing is a humerous one.
5) Good chapter titles (when kept cohesive) can set the tone for the entire book. They can be ironic, funny, clever, silly, unorthodox, serious, lighthearted, etc. You get the idea.
Alright. I figure five are enough reasons to support titling chapters.
Now to the negative:
But what did those folk say who don't like chapter titles? Even those who expressed a fondness towards chapter titles, did not care for them when the titles made the following mistakes:
1) The titles didn't add to the story in any way. Most people simply skip over the titles when they are not interesting or don't seem very relevant.
2) The titles gave away too much of the story. In a difficult part of the book, this might be a death sentence for the story. Many people admitted to actually putting a book down (and NEVER finishing it) when they reached a title that rendered the story uninteresting.
3) The titles were confusing or not relevant. Sometimes the reader has to decode the title as he or she is reading the story. This can be both good or really bad. If the title is clever and fun, it can be fun; if the title adds confusion and distracts from the story, the reader might get frustrated or indifferent.
The Result:
There you have it. Five reasons for chapter titles, three against. Most people who didn't like titled chapters, simply skipped over them. Very few people expressed complete hatred and annoyance towards titles. On the other hand, those who enjoyed clever fun chapter titles, seem quite devoted to them. My conclusion is simple: There is more love for chapter titles out there than there is disdain.
So if you're wondering whether or not to title those chapters you're working on, consider naming them. But keep your titles clever, fun, and cohesive.
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