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Titles hold a special place of prominence in any research articles or academic papers. As they remain at the top of every article and as they are searchable by every major indexing service, they carry the central role to inform readers exactly what information will be presented in the paper (Penrose & Katz, 2004). Sword (2012) equates the position of the title with that of a hat on a head or the front door of a house as the title of any academic article offers a powerful first impression to the readers.

 

A good title should attract and inform the readers and be accurate (Hartley, 2008). A title is the gateway to the contents of article (Bavdekar, 2016, p. 53) and leads the entire document and captures its content in one or two phrases. Therefore, while assigning titles, authors should take care of the following:

1. Use simple, direct, brief, and attractive title— if the title is with these features, readers find it easy to understand the theme and content of the paper. Use of ambiguous words in title confuses the readers about the message and meaning it intends to communicate whereas lengthy title remains unfocused, distracting and sometimes boring.
2. Do not use abbreviations, acronyms, and jargons in the title: To make readers attracted, the use of abbreviations, acronyms and jargons are not good choices. Sometimes, readers may not be familiar with them and also they confuse the readers.

A heading leads a chapter or section and captures the content of that chapter or section. Usually, a document has a single title and several headings. Functions of headings are:

• to provide structure of the document
• to show logical relation and development of ideas
• to show hierarchical relationship of ideas (headings, sub-headings)
• to make readers scan and read the document selectively and also to hold the patience of the readers

According to APA 7^th edition, there are five levels of heading. Level 1 is the highest or main level of heading, level 2 is a subheading of level 1, level 3 is a subheading of level 2, and so on through levels 4 and 5.

The number of headings to use in a paper depends on the length and complexity of the work.

• If only one level of heading is needed, use level 1.
• If two levels of heading are needed, use levels 1 and 2.
• If three levels of heading are needed, use levels 1, 2, and 3 (and so on).

Thus, if the article has four sections, some of which have subsections and some of which do not, use headings depending on the level of subordination. Section headings receive level one format. Subsections receive level two format. Subsections of subsections receive level three format. ()

Find a template here:

MLA 9^th edition suggests the following format for headings:

1. First-level Heading: Centered, Bold, Title Case
2. Second-level Heading: Flush Left, Bold, Title Case
3. Third-level Heading: Indented, Bold, Sentence case, Ending with a period.
4. Fourth-level Heading: Indented, Bold Italicized, Sentence case, Ending with a period.
5. Fifth-level Heading: Indented, Italicized, Sentence case, Ending with a period.

Example:

The Benefits of Meditation

Meditation has been practiced for centuries and has numerous benefits for both the mind and body. Here are some of the ways meditation can improve your overall well-being:

Physical Benefits of Meditation

Reduced Blood Pressure

Meditation can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Improved Immune Function

Studies have shown that regular meditation can strengthen the immune system, making it easier to fight off infections.

Reduced Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is linked to a variety of health problems, including arthritis and heart disease. Meditation can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Psychological Benefits of Meditation

Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to feel more relaxed and focused.

Improved Mood

Studies have shown that regular meditation can improve mood and decrease symptoms of depression.

Enhanced Self-Awareness

Meditation can help you become more self-aware, allowing you to better understand your thoughts and emotions.

Types of Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation. Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment.

Transcendental Meditation. Transcendental meditation involves the use of a mantra to focus the mind and achieve a state of deep relaxation.

Loving-Kindness Meditation. Loving-kindness meditation involves cultivating feelings of love, kindness, and compassion towards yourself and others.

Choosing a Meditation Practice

Consider Your Goals. Before choosing a meditation practice, consider what you hope to achieve through meditation.

Try Different Techniques. Experiment with different types of meditation to find the one that works best for you.

Find a Teacher or Guide. A qualified meditation teacher or guide can provide valuable guidance and support as you begin your meditation practice.

Incorporating Meditation into Your Daily Routine

Start Small. Begin with just a few minutes of meditation each day and gradually increase your practice over time.

Choose a Regular Time and Place. Setting aside a specific time and place for your meditation practice can help make it a regular part of your daily routine.

Be Consistent. Consistency is key when it comes to establishing a meditation practice. Aim to meditate every day, even if it's just for a few minutes.

Whether you're looking to improve your physical health, reduce stress, or simply feel more centered, meditation is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals. So why not give it a try today?

General Principles for Designing Headings

Do not “stack” headings: Avoid stacking one heading directly below another. A heading is like a chapter title; it must have at least a sentence of information below it.  Stacked headings can indicate inefficient organization of information.

Do not overuse headings: Keep in mind that every sentence does not require its own heading, nor does every paragraph. Ideally, a heading should have at least one, often several, paragraphs of text below it. A heading defines a SECTION of the document. Overuse of headings indicates an inefficient organization of ideas that needs revision. As a general guideline, aim for roughly 2-4 headings and sub-headings per page.

Do not use a heading to introduce a table, figure, or list: Authors must have text below a heading that introduces and explains the figure or table. A list requires a lead-in sentence to explain what this is a list of.

Avoid creating “lone headings” at any level of the document. A "lone heading" refers to a heading or a title that appears on a page or in a document without any accompanying text or content. It is usually used to introduce a new section or topic and is meant to draw attention to the topic or provide a visual break in the content.

Avoid creating “widows and orphans” by leaving a heading at the bottom of the page with no body text below it. Insert a hard page break before your heading to avoid this.

Do not refer to a heading as “this” in the body text below it. Begin sentence as if the heading were not there. Never start a new section with a pronoun that refers to a previous idea.

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