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Are chapter titles important?

Are chapter titles important?

Sionnach #questionnaire

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29 Answers

B.J.

I think chapter NUMBERS are important. Especially when you’re reading on different devices. Overdrive doesn’t always sync, and there’s nothing more annoying than when the chapters are simply named after the character’s point of view. So it’s a long list of Jane John Jane John Jane John and you can’t figure out which Jane chapter you left off at.

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Jamie

I don’t think so. I don’t like when the chapters have titles.

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Lou

Not to me as long as they have numbers

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Jamie

Prefer no titles but need numbers. I also hate when there may be a spoiler in chapter names and it’s printed in table of contents in beginning. For example, a book about someone in a coma I read once was told from various perspectives but not the coma person. The table of contents listed the final chapter as their perspective and I was annoyed since it was seemingly spoiled before reading one page.

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Tara

Not to me – numbers yes, titles no.

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B.J.

Quotes at the start of chapters? I’ve never read a single one. Like, quotes from people other than the current book I’m reading? Skip.

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Tina

Only if it is a date or part of a timeline that you need to keep the story straight.

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Amanda

Ugh so hard to answer. I love the titles because sometimes that is what keeps me wanting to read. The title can catch me and make think omg what is going to happen!? And then sometimes it can be spoiler.

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Yvonne

If it a persons name or such yes.

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Jerriann

No but chapter numbers are good

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Roxanne

Depends on the book.

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Vickie

Sometimes. They give you a clue about the events in the chapter. I love chapters that start with a quotation!

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Dina

Not to me!

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Michele

It really depends. I’ve read books that the chapter titles are a play on words. But, it doesn’t make a difference on how much I enjoy a book.

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Tammy

No, but kind of fun. I put them in during the first drafts – gives me an idea of where something is and then I change it to just numbers.

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Connie

I read all quotes at the beginning of chapters. What I need, especially in a book that bounces around, are timelines and places!

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Kathy

Nope

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Maryann

Nope

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Jocee

Not to me

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Arletta

nope

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Tiffany

If it is relevant, example names or dates or places to give the reader a guide to books that jump around. I alao love quotes if they set the tone for that chapter or are relevant to somerhing in the chapter.

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Eileen

No!

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Barbara

I love chapter titles

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Hannah

I had chapter titles and the year if the chapter was set in the past in my first novel, Time After Time. I liked the titles, they were fun to do (and, I hope, to read). My second book, The Neighbors, has four different view point characters, and a dual timeline, so I have e.g. “Now – Abby” or “Then – Nate” to ground the reader. My third book has a straight timeline and one point-of-view character, so I only have chapter numbers 🙂

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Jen

Perfect examples, especially if there is a timeline there has to be chapter titles and easy to follow ones!

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Linda

Not to me, i normally sail right past them.

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Judy

I like them. Keeps me straight.

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Debbie

Not to me. I don’t pay any attention.

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Lori

I like them but it’s not mandatory.

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