Most manuscript titles are terrible. ❌

Take a moment and look at these titles:

• “You are too brash if you ignore the rash”
• “The red hearing”
• “Heart-stopping tick”
• “Touch me not”
• “All systems red”

What do they all have in common?

▶️ They’re clever, but NOT clear.

▶️ You have no idea what the paper is about.

[Yes… I wrote them. And yes, I’m guilty of this too.]

The last one—“All systems red”—was my finest review on hypereosinophilic syndrome. It’s been cited exactly ZERO times.

That’s the problem with clever titles: no one knows what they’re about (except you). 🫤

But don’t worry—we can fix this with my 6 Golden Rules for writing great manuscript titles: ✔️

1️⃣ Be CLEAR, Not Clever

Clever titles might catch your eye, but they don’t tell your readers what they need to know. Your title should clearly reflect the content of your paper. It’s about making an accurate promise. You want the reader to say, “This is what I’m looking for,” and dive right in.

Be specific. A clear title gives readers confidence in the value of your research. Let’s make a commitment right now:

“I will not write clever manuscript titles. I will only write clear ones.”

2️⃣ Optimize for SEO

In today’s digital age, discoverability is crucial. The title of your paper should include keywords that make it easier to find in databases. Whenever possible, use MeSH terms (Medical Subject Headings) to increase search accuracy.

For example, instead of “side effects,” use “adverse effects,” which is the recognized MeSH term.

📝 Pro Tip: Try pasting your title into an AI tool like ChatGPT and ask it to optimize for SEO using relevant keywords or MeSH terms. This small step can make your paper more visible in search results.

3️⃣ Keep It Simple and Concise

A good title doesn’t need to be long. In fact, the shorter, the better. Aim for 10–12 words. Get to the point quickly and clearly. The title should give readers an immediate sense of what your paper is about without any unnecessary fluff.

Think of it as your research’s elevator pitch. You have only a few seconds to make an impact—don’t waste them.

4️⃣ Make It Nondirective

Avoid stating your conclusion in the title. Instead of “X Predicts Y,” say “Effect of X on Y.”

This creates curiosity and encourages readers to engage with your content to discover the findings themselves. A little intrigue can go a long way.

5️⃣ Indicate the Study Design

Including the study design at the end of your title provides valuable context for readers and reviewers.

For example:

• “…: A Randomized Controlled Trial”
• “…: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study”

📝 Pro Tip: Don’t start your title with the study design. Instead, lead with the topic and save the design for the end. This helps keep keywords (the core of your paper) front and center and helps with discoverability.

6️⃣ Know Your Audience

Your title should speak directly to your target audience. Are they:

• Specialists or Primary Care Physicians?
• Clinicians or Statisticians?
• Epidemiologists or Bioinformaticians?

Avoid jargon they won’t understand, but don’t oversimplify either.

Your goal is to create a title that fits the expectations and knowledge level of your readers.

Final Thoughts: Your Title Is Your First Impression

Think of your manuscript title as your first chance to convince someone your paper is worth reading. Don’t miss that opportunity. Craft a title that is clear, specific, and discoverable.

Action Step: Review and Revise

Now that you know the six golden rules, it’s your turn. Go back to your manuscript titles and see how they measure up.

Are they clear? Do they optimize for SEO? Are they concise?

Make the necessary revisions to ensure your titles are the best they can be. Small changes can lead to big results.

That’s it for now. Time to go make those titles work for you!