Page 225 - English for Writing Research Papers

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12.11 How can I make my title shorter?
Titles are often constricted by the number of characters that can be used (check with
your journal to see how many words or characters you can use). In some cases you
can keep your title as it is but reduce it in length simply by replacing the non-key
words with shorter synonyms.

long verb short verb long noun short noun
achieve gain advantages gains, benefi ts, pros
apportion allot examination, study
investigation
calculate, evaluate assess, rate improvement advance
demonstrate, display, show modifi cation change
exhibit
determine fi x long adjective short adjective
facilitate ease accurate exact
guarantee ensure fundamental basic
prohibit block important key, top
require need innovative novel, new
support aid necessary needed
utilize use primary main

The most obvious ways to make your title shorter are to:

• choose the shortest word ( 5.8 and 5.9 )

• remove redundant words ( 5.3 )

• use verbs rather than nouns ( 5.13 and 5.14 )