Chapter Titles... or no?

[Precise Calibre]

As I've read many books over the years I've come to the conclusion that whether or not a book has chapter titles hasn't really impacted me to any great degree, but I find that I like the concept of chapter titles none-the-less.

Personally, if a book has clearly defined chapters rather than three line breaks with a row of "***", I prefer that the chapters have some sort of title to them. In this case, the more foreshadowing or emotional impact to the title, the better. Add to this the books out there which not only have a title for a chapter, but also a teaser such as a quote from a famous character or similar that is pertinent to the upcoming events. To me, if a title and accompaniment captures a mood in just a few words and make you appreciate the rest of the chapter all the more, then it was definitely a valid choice to title them as such. Then you can think back and say to yourself 'wow, that chapter was titled very appropriately'.

It may seem kind of silly or trivial to draw attention to this idea, but I was wondering what others think on this subject? Do you prefer chapter titles or simply numbers. OR do you prefer no clear chapters but only clean breaks between segments? Are little snippets tacked onto the title a good thing or distracting?

[Grimward]

I'm with you on the Chapter titles, PC, and especially concerning the foreshadowing and additional blurbs. It's almost like you have additional clues from the author to unravel while you're reading.

[Quokka]

I certainly don't miss them if they're not used but I'd agree that they can be a nice addition. Particuarly when they only make sense as you read the chapter or once you're finished it but that's a real art, I mean it's hard enough to come up with one good title never mind a few dozen .

I also like the 'teasers', especially the additions of quotes and excerpts from fictional books and characters (of course it still comes down to who well it's done), from memory I think Dune used this really well and in Carrie by Stephen King it's taken further and is an important part of the story as a whole.

[littlemissattitude]

I don't like chapter titles in fiction. However, I am always disappointed when non-fiction books don't have them. No idea why.

[chopper]

i'm just as happy with numbered chapters as i am with titled chapters, to be honest. i use chapter titles in my own writing, but that's purely as an aide-memoire for myself, so there's not much cryptic clue-waving going on in them (each chapter is saved separately in the main story folder; ttitles means i don't have to open the ones i don't need). will i revamp the titles when the work is done? don't know - depends on whether i think the chapters really need titles after all.

off the top of my head, Pratchett's books are rarely divided into chapters at all; this doesn't stop me enjoying them, after all they would only act as literary road-humps.

s

[Selati]

I don't mind either way as long as the titles don't give too much away. I read a book a while ago (I'll have to dig it out later to find the title) where it was glaringly obvious what one of the chapter titles was referring to. I found it quite annoying as there was no way of getting away from it.

[Ghost of Harrenhal]

Well I write POV and my chapters are all character based. If I need a break mid character I just use the * * * system.

[Hilarious Joke]

I don't like chapter titles. I don't want any clues about what's going to happen. But I do like chapters, whether they are used to split up POV's or to give some internal structure.

[Mattastic]

Sometimes, chapter titles can be beneficial. I often read myself to sleep at night, and as such don't bookmark where I am or remember page numbers. If the book includes the chapter title at the top of every page or every second page, it's much easier to find my place from a glance. It can also be a little exciting to see a chapter title and think, "haha! Now we'll find out who the killer is!" It can make it easy for a reader to find a certain part of the story, or to point out scenes to other readers.

On the other hand, don't expect your readers to particularly care about the chapter title. I suspect many won't actually read it anyway.

[Leisha]

I LOVE chapter titles! They can be such a useful medium if used right, hinting and forshadowing without being OTT. Plus, I feel they add something to the novel, a sort of special "author's touch".

[Wiglaf]

Chapter titles are best in children's stories, slightly humorous books, and reference/text books. In the first two categories, a good title, quote, and illuminated starting letter can be more entertaining than the story itself. In the last category, it is simply for ease of reference.

[gully_foyle]

I'm ambivalent about chapter titles for the most part. I rarely pay much attention to them. Except when the narrative is moving from location to location or perspective to perspective alot. I'm reading Downbelow Station by CJ Cherryh at the moment and the chapters are titled by the location, date and time. I rarely pay heed to the date and time since this is a linear narrative in a mostly confined environment, but it moves around alot in the environment, from planet to station to ship, etc, and knowing where I am at the start of the chapter is helpful to me, and no doubt relieves the author of the tedium of setting the scene constantly.

[glandowski]

I likes to know when one thought nugget is done and the next begins, but I don't like anything that clues me into what is going to happen.

Chapter I
Chapter II
etc...

[Shingetsu]

I've been reading more and more books that don't have titles for the chapters. I personally don't care either way. There's really no point to them. You're going to read the chapter anyways, you'll find out what it's about in the end. I probably won't use chapter titles in my writing either.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Leisha

I LOVE chapter titles! They can be such a useful medium if used right, hinting and forshadowing without being OTT. Plus, I feel they add something to the novel, a sort of special "author's touch".

I'm in agreement with this. While by no means all fiction (or non-fiction, for that matter) requires chapter titles, they can be an added aesthetic layer to enjoy; or even add a subtle ambivalence in meaning to the events that follow (or precede) them. Same with the addition of epigraphs for chapters: they can foreshadow, alter the reading of a particular chapter, aid in the layers of structure, be intertextually relevant (referring to other literary texts or other contexts which may add new layers of meaning to said chapter... or the book as a whole), add a satirical counterpoint, etc., etc., etc.

In other words, when used well, chapter titles and epigraphs can make any reading experience richer, more nuanced, more complex in texture and meaning.

Originally Posted by Wiglaf

Chapter titles are best in children's stories, slightly humorous books, and reference/text books. In the first two categories, a good title, quote, and illuminated starting letter can be more entertaining than the story itself. In the last category, it is simply for ease of reference.

On this one, I can't disagree enough. As indicated, use of such should be done with considerable thought, rather than carelessly or hastily, but there is no reason whatsoever that they should be restricted to (or even "best in") these types of writing. It all depends on how well the writer integrates the use of these into the structure, texture, layering, and general writing of any tale, book length or otherwise....