| name | article-titles |
| description | Write titles for blog posts, deep dives, and hub articles. 15 proven formulas + 10 Commandments evaluation. Generate 10+ options, select best through systematic criteria. |
Article & Blog Titles
Write titles for published articles - deep dives, hub pages, blog posts.
Core Philosophy: 80% of content performance comes from the title. Generate volume (10+ options), then select best using proven criteria.
The 3-Phase Workflow
Phase 1: Identify Core Value
What transformation does this article promise?
- Problem: What pain/struggle does the reader face?
- Goal: What result do they want?
- Path: How does this article move them forward?
Extract headline elements:
- Problem - What pain exists?
- Goal - What result does reader want?
- Benefit - What will their life look like after?
- Concept - What idea/principle applies?
- Example - What story/data illustrates this?
- Process - What steps lead to the result?
Phase 2: Generate 10+ Options
Use multiple formulas from references/headline-formulas-library.md:
- Try 3-4 different headline types
- Apply sticky techniques from
references/sticky-sentence-techniques.md
- Test different element combinations
Phase 3: Evaluate & Select
Apply references/10-commandments-checklist.md:
- Score top 5-7 options
- Aim for 4-6 commandments per title
- Use 4 U's test (Useful, Urgent, Unique, Ultra-specific)
- Select highest scorer that fits the content
Core Patterns (With Examples)
1. Definitive Guide
Authority positioning for comprehensive content.
- "The Complete Guide to Homeschooling in Utah"
- "Everything You Need to Know About ESAs"
- "Microschools: A Parent's Complete Guide"
2. How-To + Outcome
Practical promise with clear benefit.
- "How to Start a Microschool (With No Teaching Background)"
- "How to Use Your ESA Without Losing Money"
- "How to Find the Right Curriculum in 3 Steps"
3. List + Specific Promise
Number creates scannability and completeness.
- "7 Curriculum Options That Actually Work for ADHD Kids"
- "5 Questions to Ask Before Joining a Microschool"
- "12 Homeschool Co-ops in the Salt Lake Area (2026)"
4. Problem + Solution Frame
Names the pain, promises relief.
- "Feeling Overwhelmed by Curriculum Choices? Here's a Framework"
- "When Traditional School Isn't Working: 4 Alternative Paths"
- "ESA Spending Anxiety: What You Can (and Can't) Use It For"
5. Contrarian / Myth-Busting
Challenges common belief.
- "Why Homeschool 'Socialization' Fears Are Backwards"
- "The Case Against Grade Levels"
- "Microschools Don't Need Certified Teachers. Here's Why."
6. Comparison / Versus
Helps readers make decisions.
- "Classical vs. Charlotte Mason: Which Fits Your Family?"
- "Homeschool vs. Microschool: The Real Differences"
- "Online School vs. Self-Directed Learning: Pros and Cons"
SEO Considerations
For hub pages and deep dives that need to rank:
Include primary keyword near the start when possible:
- "ESA Spending Guide: What You Can Buy in [State]"
- "Microschools Near Me: How to Find One in Your Area"
Match search intent:
- Informational: "What is..." "How to..." "Guide to..."
- Comparison: "X vs Y" "Best [category] for [use case]"
- Local: Include state/city for geo-targeted content
Keep under 60 characters if SEO matters (Google truncates longer)
Swipe File
| Title | Pattern | Use For |
|---|
| "The Complete Guide to Homeschooling in [State]" | Definitive Guide | Hub pages |
| "How to Start a Microschool in 2026" | How-To + Year | Evergreen tactical |
| "7 Alternatives to Traditional School" | List | Comparison content |
| "Why Unschooling Works (According to the Research)" | Contrarian + Authority | Opinion with data |
| "ESA vs. Tax Credits: What's the Difference?" | Versus | Decision-making |
| "The Myth of Learning Loss" | Myth-busting | Contrarian takes |
| "What I Wish I Knew Before Homeschooling" | Personal wisdom | Experience posts |
| "The Hidden Cost of 'Free' Public School" | Contrarian | Opinion pieces |
Workflow
- What's the core question this answers? - That's often the title
- Match to pattern - Definitive? How-to? List? Versus?
- Generate 5-10 options - Try different framings
- SEO check - Does primary keyword appear? Under 60 chars if ranking matters?
- Select best - Would you click this in search results?
Anti-Patterns
Don't:
- Write vague titles ("Thoughts on Education")
- Use insider jargon without explanation
- Promise more than the article delivers
- Bury the value proposition
- Use clickbait that destroys trust
- Stop at 2-3 options (generate 10+)
- Use hedge words ("might," "could," "possibly")
- Write generic promises ("Boost productivity" vs "Double output in 30 days")
Sticky Techniques (For Memorable Titles)
From references/sticky-sentence-techniques.md:
| Technique | Example |
|---|
| Alliteration | "Specificity is the secret" |
| Symmetry | "School measures time. Education measures learning." |
| Contrast | "Small schools. Big difference." |
| Rhythm | Two short parallel phrases that feel balanced |
Best for titles: Alliteration, Contrast, Rhythm
Quick Quality Check
Before finalizing, verify:
Bundled Resources
| Resource | Contents |
|---|
references/headline-formulas-library.md | All 15 formulas with OpenEd examples |
references/sticky-sentence-techniques.md | Literary devices for memorable titles |
references/10-commandments-checklist.md | Full evaluation framework with scoring |
Related
newsletter-subject-lines - Different constraints (email vs web, shorter)opened-daily-newsletter-writer - Newsletter workflowopen-education-hub-deep-dives - Full article workflowseo-research - Keyword research for titles
Generate 10+ options using multiple formulas. Evaluate with 10 Commandments. Select best.
