Did I imagine, even 15 years ago, that I’d be discussing a potential article title with an AI function? Sure, I benefited hugely from online resources during the writing of my PhD in 2004-9. However, even social media was only just getting off the ground – I don’t remember engaging with it until after the PhD was completed. Even then, if you asked a question, it was answered by another human being.
However, I came up with the ‘perfect’ article title before I fell asleep last night. So perfect that I could remember it in the morning, when I checked to see if anyone else had already used the opening killer three words before. And, unfortunately, they had. Spelled the American way, the phrase had been used for an American actress’s book that was a combination of ‘lifestyle’ and autobiography. It appears that my beautiful three words described a particular kind of Southern Belle. This was absolutely not what I expected to find. Even with the British spelling, I couldn’t begin my journal article with a recent book title! Particularly when it was on such a very different topic.
I played around with a new title. Should I run it past someone else to see if it sounded appropriate? That felt a bit extreme. It’s just a title, that’s all. I know what I’m going to write about.
And then I remembered Chat GPT. I’ve experimented with it on a microscopically small scale, as you’ll recall. Really, just enough to find out for myself where its strengths and weaknesses might lie, in case anyone asked me what I thought. And then I had stepped back, wary of committing my own words to the big robot in the sky.
Today, I typed tentatively,
‘How about this for an article title:- […] ?’
Chat GPT was impressed!
Your proposed title, ” … ” is compelling and effectively captures the essence of your article. It suggests that the research will challenge preconceived notions or stereotypes […] , making it intriguing for readers.
Well, this was encouraging. But Chat GPT wasn’t done yet!
The phrase “…” is a strong, attention-grabbing lead that sets the tone for a discussion of unexpected findings or reinterpretations of historical narratives. The rest of the title clearly indicates the specific focus of the study, which is both informative and precise.
Overall, it’s a well-crafted title that should resonate with your audience.
Am I gullible, and maybe too easily flattered? But it does make me feel that perhaps I’ve got a good enough working title to be going on with. From here on in, though, Chat GPT won’t get a look-in. I never want to end up with something that wasn’t actually written by me. I’ll check how a title sounds. I might even check out a synonym, or ask if I’m using a phrase in the expected way. But basically, I’ve done the research – now I’ll write it up.
Postscript. I also ran the title past a real, respected human being. The title stands!
Main Image by Alana Jordan from Pixabay
Karen McAulay, Musicologist 