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| Yes | 20% | 291 votes | Total: 1464 votes | |
| No | 80% | 1173 votes |
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Add to FavoritesShould You Begin Helium Articles by Repeating the Article's Title?
Yes. The proper way to write ANY ARTICLE is to give it a title. What I usually do is put the title in my own words. In other words, a subtitle. (Since this is a debate, I did not feel inclined to change the title into my own words.)
Quite frankly, I was surprised by the number of writers who voted NO on this issue. Anyone who has ever attended a high school language arts class should know that every paper you submit needs to have a title.
When I rate articles, the one with a title is always the one I read first and I have to admit, I favor that article a little. I've also noticed that writers who title their submissions are also writers that tend to have very good grammar and writing ethics.
If you were submitting to Helium with pen and ink and a postage stamp, would you not want to title your article so the editors of Helium know where it goes? Just because you are submitting it electronically and it is automatically filed under the correct title, is not reason not to follow the "old fashion" rules of pen and ink submissions.
A title is used to identify your purpose, how can you leave that off? Wouldn't that be like going to work without your uniform on if you were a policeman? People would not immediately recognize that you were a policeman.
Maybe I am old fashioned but I stick to the rules of writing that I learned in grade school, long before electronic communication was even thought about. I am all for changing the world into a better place through communication but we still have to stick to a universal style.
Not only do I use a title, I also mention the topic of the title in my first sentence. I want people to know what I am talking about, not scroll up to see what the topic is that I am writing about.
I believe submitted article should be self contained. Readers should not have to look outside my written article to find information of any sort.
It would be interesting to hear what professional editors have to say about this issue. I think the actual debate should be whether to use a subtitle or the original title.
Learn more about this author, Trisha Orlando.
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No
There are valid reasons why a writer might want to repeat the article's title, but this is not a creative way to begin a magazine-quality Helium article. The reader has already seen the title once, to repeat it is redundant and unneccessary. A more ideal beginning for an article is to use an imaginative, orginal opening, as a "hook" to entice the reader to continue on.
In order to optimize search engine results and maximize exposure, it is a good idea to incorporate the title into the opening paragraph of a Helium article. For readers who are searching for that particular subject on google or other search engines, putting the key words from the title into the first sentence or paragraph increases the chance that your article will be come up in their search.
There are also several places in the body of the article where mentioning the title is effective:
First paragraph
In order to keep on topic and focus your thoughts, it is beneficial to incorporate the title into the first paragraph. Writers tend to be a wordy bunch, and too often focus of the article can be inadvertently shifted, especially on debate topics we feel passionate about. It helps clarify thinking, and the reader's understanding, if you allude to the subject at hand in the first paragraph and expand your thoughts in the following paragraphs.
Last paragraph
Sometimes, it is effective to repeat the title of the article in the closing paragraph. After stating your thoughts, or arguing your side of the debate, emphasis can be brought home by repeating the subject at the end. It also is a way to come full circle and accomplish closure to the idea you are trying to convey.
Middle paragraph
Another creative ploy is to repeat the title as the beginning of the middle paragraph. This is especially appropriate if the title happens to be a question. Ask the question again, verbatim, and proceed to answer it with your own original thoughts. In especially long articles, this is a gentle reminder to the reader you are still "on topic".
Whichever tactic you employ to address the title subject, it remains indisputable that repeating the title for your Helium article verbatim at the top of the article could be interpreted as lacking in originality, and might cost you in the rating pool.
A catchy phrase, including key words from the title, as an opening to a Helium article will "hook" the reader, peak his curiosity, and be a winner every time.
Should you begin Helium articles by repeating the article title? No, the title does not need instant replay. Should you find a creative way to weave the title into your presentation? Yes.
Learn more about this author, Carol Gioia.
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