How do I come up with an APA title?

An APA title is detailed and concise. The reader should be able to clearly understand the topic or focus of your paper from the title.

Title Tips

• Use bold, title case, meaning all major words and words of four or more letters are capitalized.
• Center the title on your title page and on the first page of the body of your paper.
• Use full terms and avoid abbreviations.
• Avoid unnecessary words (like "a study of").

Titles for Doctoral Capstone Studies

• Your title should express the relationships between relevant variables and theories.
• Follow your faculty's preferences for titles. 
• Avoid subtitles or secondary titles.
• Avoid beginning a title with a verb.

Refer to Chapter 2 of the APA 7 for more information on titles.

Additional Resources:

• See more examples of strong titles and title revisions on the Writing Center's titles webpage.
• Learn about APA's guidelines regarding heading levels as titles of parts of your paper.

Further Questions?

Would you like a current or future assignment to be reviewed by the Writing Center? If so please visit the Writing Center's Paper Reviews webpage and make an appointment with us!

Do you have other general writing questions? Ask OASIS ! 

Other questions about your doctoral capstone or the form and style review? Email the form and style editors at [email protected].

Want to peruse other writing resources? Go to the Writing Center’s home page.