Student Question
What would be a suitable title for an essay with a thesis exploring the relationship between loss and survival?
Sources that probe the relationship between loss and survival suggest that all human beings have an idiosyncratic tendency to survive, but they fail to realize that it comes at the unfortunate price of loss.
Quick answer:
A suitable essay title exploring the relationship between loss and survival should reflect the emotional and existential costs of survival, as suggested by the thesis. Potential titles could include "The Real Winner: The Survivor or the One That Got Away," "Is A Survivor a Real Winner?", "The Out-of-Control Cost of Survival," or "Survival: The Unconscious Choice and Loss: The Devastating Consequence." These options highlight the tension between survival's instinctive drive and its inherent losses.
An essay title is the first indication of the contents of an essay. It can reveal characteristics of the writer or the subject and sometimes both. The title can be revealing or a means to encourage a reader to search for the real meaning in the essay. In an essay on loss and survival, the writer of the essay can decide whether to focus on the debilitating sense of loss or the relief and sense of accomplishment at having survived.
Read the essay again and ask yourself whether the message is clear.On completion of the essay was there a feeling of accomplishment or disillusionment. All that effort to survive, all the sacrifices required and the loss itself all take something away and create internal conflict, revealing emotions - which of these emotions is the most overwhelming?
There is a tendency to be glib about titles so it is important to...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
make the title a personal choice to ensure its personal message. In books, for example, there is a need to reach a broad audience and so the title of a book would usually reflect this, potentially losing some of the depth which is why chapter titles are crucial. Consider the title of this essay as the title of one of the chapters of your best-selling book.
If survival is your key point, consider the various types of survival such as physical, emotional and so on. The thesis suggests that physical survival is assured due to man's "idiosyncratic tendency" so presumably the essay focuses on the great "cost" to possibly emotional stability, spiritual well-being or even the ability to continue to survive. Some possible options for consideration could be:
The Real Winner - the Survivor or the One that Got Away.
Is A Survivor a Real Winner?
The out-of-control Cost of Survival
Survivor- Dead or Alive?
Physical life but Emotional and Spiritual Decay reveal the true cost of Survival.
There is no Expense Spared in the Desire to survive but is the Cost Justified?
The Return does not Justify the Cost in the Effort to Survive.
Survival, the Unconscious Choice and Loss, the Devastating Consequence.
These are some possible choices that will hopefully guide you to a title that works for your essay.