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Advice for writers

How to Create Great Titles for Your Poems

How to Create Great Poem Titles - text on a wooden background next to a feathered quill writing words in cursive

Poem Titles

Titles are like doors—some are ajar, beckoning you inside, while others remain closed, leaving the choice to knock, open, or walk away. Imagine walking through a bustling bookstore, shelves packed with endless titles. Your eyes flit past the rows, briefly catching glimpses of poems waiting to be discovered. You pause for a second, lingering on a title that draws you in—not because you’ve heard of the poet, but because that string of words sparked something within you. That’s the magic of great poem titles. They speak first, long before the poems do.

For poets, the title of a poem is often more than just a label; it’s a key to unlocking the theme, tone, or mood of the piece. It’s a chance to create intrigue and invite readers into your poetic world. In many ways, it’s the story’s hook, offering a promise or question that the poem will address. Crafting the perfect title is both an art and a skill that can take your poetry from being merely interesting to unforgettable.

At Atmosphere Press, we understand the significance of creating poetry that resonates from the first word—including the title. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or new to the art form, we believe in helping poets hone their craft, from the initial inspiration to the final piece.

In this article, we’ll explore how to create a compelling title for your poem and share tips to help you unlock the perfect gateway to your work.

Why Poem Titles Matter

It’s easy to overlook the title when you’re pouring your energy into the verses themselves. However, a great title can set the stage for the poem’s entire experience. It introduces the reader to the piece, offering a glimpse of the theme or tone before they’ve even read a single line. Titles also often provide insight into the poet’s intentions or help clarify the meaning behind complex or abstract imagery within the poem. They provide context, enhance the reader’s understanding, and can even serve as a tool to amplify the emotional weight of the piece.

Take, for example, Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Because I could not stop for Death.” The title isn’t just an introduction—it sets up a narrative that leads the reader into the poem’s meditation on mortality. Similarly, in Langston Hughes’ “The Weary Blues,” the title hints at the emotional tone of the piece before you even encounter the rhythm or words.

Titles are the first chance you get to pull a reader in, and it’s essential not to squander that opportunity.

Tips for Creating the Perfect Poem Title

So how do you come up with a great title? While there are no strict rules, certain strategies can help you find a title that not only complements your poem but elevates it. Here are some effective tips:

1. Use an Image or Symbol

If your poem is filled with rich imagery, consider drawing from that for your title. A strong image can capture the reader’s imagination, making them curious about the poem’s content. For instance, Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” uses a metaphor that appears within the poem itself, while also symbolizing the broader theme of life’s choices.

2. Ask a Question

Sometimes, posing a question as your title can engage your readers immediately, drawing them into the poem to discover the answer. A question offers a sense of mystery and urgency, making the reader feel compelled to find out more. For instance, in Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise,” the implied question in the title—how does one rise?—sets the tone for the triumphant answer provided in the verses.

3. Borrow from a Line or Phrase Within the Poem

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to craft a title is by pulling a key line or phrase from your poem. This technique creates a sense of cohesion between the title and the text. By doing so, you spotlight an important moment or idea within the poem, guiding the reader’s attention. T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a perfect example—he pulls directly from the poem’s own musings to create a title that’s both intriguing and relevant.

4. Evoke Emotion

Think about the emotion you want your poem to convey and try to encapsulate that feeling in your title. Whether it’s joy, sorrow, frustration, or hope, an emotional word or phrase in the title can act as an immediate emotional cue for the reader. Titles like Sylvia Plath’s “Mad Girl’s Love Song” provide an emotional entry point, setting the mood for the poem’s content.

5. Play with Irony or Contrast

Sometimes a title that contrasts with the poem can add a layer of complexity and intrigue. Playing with irony can surprise the reader, inviting them to reconsider the poem’s meaning after reading it. For instance, in Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum Est,” the Latin phrase means “It is sweet and proper,” which is bitterly contrasted by the gruesome depiction of war in the poem itself.

6. Keep It Short and Sweet

Sometimes less is more. A short, punchy title can carry more weight than a longer, descriptive one. Think of concise titles like Pablo Neruda’s “If You Forget Me.” It’s simple, yet it holds deep significance. Short titles often leave room for the reader’s imagination, creating an open space for interpretation.

7. Consider the Theme

The theme of your poem can provide rich material for a title. Whether your poem deals with love, loss, identity, nature, or politics, your title can act as a summary of the core message or moral. For example, Adrienne Rich’s “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” hints at themes of freedom and constraint through the metaphor of the tigers, offering the reader insight into the deeper message of the poem.

8. Be Open to Metaphor

Titles are a great place to use metaphor to convey a deeper layer of meaning. A well-chosen metaphor can encapsulate the poem’s broader message while also adding poetic flair. A title like “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou serves as both a literal image and a metaphor for the broader themes of freedom and oppression found in the poem.

9. Don’t Be Afraid of Ambiguity

Sometimes leaving the title open to interpretation can enhance a poem’s depth. A vague or ambiguous title can invite readers to engage more deeply with the text as they try to uncover its meaning. For example, Wallace Stevens’ “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” gives very little away in the title, prompting the reader to explore the different layers of perception and meaning throughout the poem.

Crafting Poem Titles: A Final Thought

When crafting a title, remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. The perfect title for your poem may evolve as you write, and sometimes it will be the final stroke that brings the poem together. Titles can be serious, whimsical, philosophical, or ironic. They can be subtle or bold. The key is to ensure that your title complements and enhances the poem itself, making it an essential part of the reader’s experience.

At Atmosphere Press, we are passionate about helping poets share their unique voices with the world. Whether you’re struggling to find the right title or need guidance on refining your manuscript, we’re here to support your creative journey. Crafting a title is just one piece of the poetic puzzle, and we believe every part should shine.

In the end, the title is your poem’s first impression—so why not make it a lasting one?

PS – Atmosphere Press loves working with poets! Check out our catalog of poetry books or submit your poetry collection to us!


Chandler Kidd

Chandler Kidd, Social Media Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her three cats. She is a yogi and an avid horror and dark fantasy reader. During the day, she loves creating social posts for Atmosphere Press and connecting authors online. By night she can be found learning music production, DJing, or at a concert. 

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