Title vs. Heading: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A Title is the name of a book, composition, or other artistic work, while a Heading is a title at the head of a page or section of a document.
Key Differences
A Title typically refers to the name of a book, article, or other work, encapsulating its main theme or subject. Conversely, a Heading is used within a document to signify the start of a new section or topic, providing a brief overview of the content that follows.
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Nov 18, 2023
Titles are often creative, aiming to capture the essence of the work or to attract the reader's attention. In contrast, Headings are more functional, structured to guide readers through a document's content.
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Nov 18, 2023
The Title of a work is unique and helps in identifying and differentiating it from other works. Headings, however, can be repetitive or common in different documents, serving as a tool for organization rather than identification.
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Nov 18, 2023
A Title is usually placed at the beginning of a book, article, or film, and is sometimes accompanied by a subtitle for further clarification. Headings appear throughout a document, dividing it into manageable, coherent sections.
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Nov 18, 2023
Titles can be metaphorical, symbolic, or literal, reflecting the work's tone, theme, or content. Headings are straightforward, designed to be clear and direct to aid in navigation and comprehension of the document.
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Nov 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Placement
At the beginning of a work
Throughout a document at the start of sections
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Title and Heading Definitions
Title
The name of a book, composition, or other work.
The novel's title, To Kill a Mockingbird, is symbolic of its themes.
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Nov 18, 2023
Heading
A title at the head of a page or section of a document.
The heading Introduction marked the beginning of the paper.
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Nov 18, 2023
Title
An identifying name given to a book, play, film, musical composition, or other work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
The direction in which a path or vehicle is moving.
Adjust the ship's heading to 045 degrees.
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Heading
A main point or division in a discourse or text.
Each heading in the textbook clearly divided the topics.
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Title
A written work that is published or about to be published
The titles in the publisher's fall catalog.
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Heading
The title, subtitle, or topic that stands at the top or beginning, as of a paragraph, letter, or chapter.
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Title
A division of a legal code, generally consisting of multiple related statutes.
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Heading
The course or direction in which a ship or aircraft is pointing or moving.
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Title
Often titles Written material to be read by viewers that is included in a film or television show, typically presenting credits, narration, or dialogue.
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Title
A written piece of translated dialogue superimposed at the bottom of the frame during a film; a subtitle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
A formal appellation attached to the name of a person as a sign of office, rank, profession, or hereditary privilege.
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Title
A descriptive name; an epithet
The dubious title of the worst bowler in the league.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
The title or topic of a document, article, chapter, or of a section thereof.
Put the information under the "Advantages" heading
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Title
A right or claim, or the basis of a right or claim
"The weight of a fish is commonly its only title to fame" (Henry David Thoreau).
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
(nautical) The direction into which a seagoing or airborne vessel's bow is pointing (apparent heading) and/or the direction into which it is actually moving relative to the ground (true heading)
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Title
The aggregate evidence that gives rise to a legal right of possession or control.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
(mining) A gallery, drift, or adit in a mine; also, the end of a drift or gallery; the vein above a drift.
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Heading
(sewing) The extension of a line ruffling above the line of stitch.
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Title
A source of income or area of work required of a candidate for ordination in the Church of England.
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Heading
(flags) A strip of material at the hoist end of a flag, used for attaching the flag to its halyard.
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Title
A Roman Catholic church in or near Rome having a cardinal for its nominal head.
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Heading
The act or state of one who, or that which, heads; formation of a head.
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
An appellation given to a person or family to signify either veneration, official position, social rank, the possession of assets or properties, or a professional or academic qualification. See also :Category:Titles
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
(property law) Legal right to ownership of a property; a deed or other certificate proving this.
A good title to an estate, or an imperfect title
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
The name of a book, film, musical piece, painting, or other work of art.
I know the singer's name, but not the title of the song.
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Heading
A line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about;
The heading seemed to have little to do with the text
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Title
A publication.
The retailer carries thousands of titles.
Buyers of the new video game console can choose from three bundled titles.
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Heading
The direction or path along which something moves or along which it lies
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Heading
A horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine;
They dug a drift parallel with the vein
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Title
A written title, credit, or caption shown with a film, video, or performance.
The titles scrolled by too quickly to read.
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Heading
A line of text indicating what the passage below it is about.
The chapter's heading was The Industrial Revolution.
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Title
(bookbinding) The panel for the name, between the bands of the back of a book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Heading
A category or topic in a list or directory.
Under the heading Restaurants, you'll find local dining options.
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Nov 18, 2023
Title
The subject of a writing; a short phrase that summarizes the entire topic.
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Title
(sports) The recognition given to the winner of a championship in sports.
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
An inscription put over or upon anything as a name by which it is known.
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
The inscription in the beginning of a book, usually containing the subject of the work, the author's and publisher's names, the date, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
A section or division of a subject, as of a law, a book, specif. (Roman & Canon Laws), a chapter or division of a law book.
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Title
An appellation of dignity, distinction, or preëminence (hereditary or acquired), given to persons, as duke marquis, honorable, esquire, etc.
With his former title greet Macbeth.
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Title
That which constitutes a just cause of exclusive possession; that which is the foundation of ownership of property, real or personal; a right; as, a good title to an estate, or an imperfect title.
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Title
To call by a title; to name; to entitle.
Hadrian, having quieted the island, took it for honor to be titled on his coin, "The Restorer of Britain."
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Title
A heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with;
Title 8 provided federal help for schools
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Title
The name of a work of art or literary composition etc.;
He looked for books with the word `jazz' in the title
He refused to give titles to his paintings
I can never remember movie titles
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
A general or descriptive heading for a section of a written work;
The novel had chapter titles
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
A legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it;
He signed the deed
He kept the title to his car in the glove compartment
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
An identifying appellation signifying status or function: e.g. Mr. or General;
The professor didn't like his friends to use his formal title
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
An established or recognized right;
A strong legal claim to the property
He had no documents confirming his title to his father's estate
He staked his claim
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Oct 19, 2023
Title
(usually plural) written material introduced into a movie or TV show to give credits or represent dialogue or explain an action;
The titles go by faster than I can read
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Title
An appellation signifying nobility;
`your majesty' is the appropriate title to use in addressing a king
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Title
An informal right to something;
His claim on her attentions
His title to fame
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Title
Designate by an identifying term;
They styled their nation `The Confederate States'
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Title
A formal designation or category.
She earned the title of Doctor after years of hard work.
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Nov 18, 2023
Title
A heading or caption of a legal document or statute.
The title of the act clearly stated its legislative intent.
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Nov 18, 2023
Title
A term indicating rank, status, or respect.
He was awarded the title of Sir by the Queen.
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Title
The main or initial screen of a video game, film, or software.
The movie's title screen featured stunning graphics and music.
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Nov 18, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do all books have Headings?
Most books have chapter or section Headings for better readability.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a Heading be without text?
Usually, a Heading contains text to describe the following section.
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Do Titles have a specific length?
Titles can vary in length but are generally concise.
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Is a Heading necessary in every document?
Not always, but it helps in organizing and navigating through the content.
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Are Headings used in novels?
Yes, novels often use Headings for chapters or sections.
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Is a Title more important than a Heading?
A Title is crucial for identifying a work, while a Heading is important for structure.
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Can a document have only one Heading?
Yes, especially if it's a short document.
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Are Titles always at the top of the page?
Typically, yes, especially for books and articles.
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Can a Title and a Heading be the same?
Yes, in some contexts, a Title can serve as a Heading.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a document have multiple Titles?
Typically, a document has one main Title but can have multiple sub-titles or headings.
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Can a Title be a single word?
Yes, many effective Titles are just one word.
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Can Headings contain numbers?
Yes, especially in technical or academic documents.
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Can a Title be changed after publication?
It's uncommon, but re-titled editions can occur.
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Is it mandatory to have a Title for every written work?
While not mandatory, a Title is highly recommended for identification.
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Nov 18, 2023
Are Titles copyrighted?
Titles themselves are usually not, but the work they represent may be.
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Can Headings be questions?
Yes, Headings can be phrased as questions to introduce topics.
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Nov 18, 2023
Do Titles have to be unique?
Ideally, Titles should be unique to distinguish works, but some titles may be reused.
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Nov 18, 2023
Are Headings formatted differently than regular text?
Typically, yes, often being bolded or in a larger font size.
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Do Headings aid in SEO for online content?
Yes, clear Headings can improve search engine optimization.
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Do Titles and Headings have different font styles?
They can, depending on the design and format of the document.
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Nov 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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