The POP guide to formatting, Part 1, The Title

[Thomas Widrow]

Dear all,

Here are a few rules to help you write your op-eds and get your message across to as many people as possible.


PART 1 The Title

First off, you need to choose your title carefully. A title should clearly express what the article is about. You should never deceive your reader into thinking you are writing about something when that is not the case. 
In your title, you should call a spade a spade. For example, if you are talking about the necessity of acting to reduce our carbon footprint, your title should read:

    "Why reducing our carbon footprint should be our priority"

 NOT "How to make our lives happier in 11 simple steps"

Easy right?
Some of you might say "well that doesn't leave a lot of space for creativity now does it?". I'm afraid it doesn't. But do not worry or leave POP right this second! You have a chance to share your creative title very easily. The first line of your article can be your very own title. Let me elaborate:
Using our example from above, your subject title should read:

    "Why reducing our carbon footprint should be our priority"

BUT your first line in-text could very well read: "11 easy steps to make our lives less polluting, or how to live happy"

The bottom line is this: your subject title should be clear and easy to understand. Use the first couple lines of your op-ed to "lock in" your reader.
Then just make sure they want to read on! 

If you are responding to another opinion, your title should read like this:

    "RESPONSE to -title-: -your title"

Responding to this one should read:

    "RESPONSE to -the response's title-: -your title-"