A common question seen in MBA entrance exams in the Reading Comprehension section is the choice of an appropriate title from the given options. What are the things to be kept in mind before you choose the best title among the given options?

• Firstly, remember that you have been asked to choose the ‘most appropriate’ title among the given options, not what you may consider to be the best possible or perfect title for the passage. What this also indicates is that if you can eliminate the other options as inappropriate for some reason or the other, then you could possibly arrive at the correct answer. So, you should use the ‘elimination technique’ to your advantage, at least to narrow down your options.
• Next, remember that the title must ideally cover not only the core idea (the content) of the passage, but also express the author’s tone. The tone refers to the sentiment, emotions or feelings of the author towards the subject.

For example, consider a title that says “The dismal state of Indian hockey”. From this, you immediately not only realize that the passage will talk about the sport of hockey, but also what the author’s feelings or tone is towards the current state of affairs. This is due to the usage of the adjective “dismal”.

• The title you mark as the correct option should be neither too broad (not really specific to the topic or issue that the author has written about) nor too narrow in scope. Too ‘narrow’ titles may focus on only a couple of paragraphs of the passage and not the passage as a whole. Remember that a title is like a common theme that runs through the passage i.e. it integrates the various ideas or issues discussed.
• Do not choose a title on the parameter that it appears catchy, interesting, funky, or creative. One of the reasons why this must be avoided is that all these are somewhat subjective concepts. What you consider as catchy or funky might appear silly to others.
• Another important point: a title is not a conclusion. This is a mistake that students commonly make. The title is not meant to reflect the conclusion that could possibly be drawn by a reader on the basis of what the author has said. Rather, a title summarizes the author’s ideas or points succinctly. What this means is that a title should not be an inference or it should not extrapolate a judgement on the basis of what the author has written; instead, it must come from what is directly stated in the passage.

- SIDHARTH BALAKRISHNA

The author, an MBA from IIM Calcutta, has been involved in MBA coaching for several years. He is an English and GD-PI expert at MBAGuru, India’s fastest growing CAT coaching institute. He has also written the best-selling ‘An Introduction to CAT-Tips from an IIM Alumnus’ published by Pearson Education. He can be contacted at bsiddharth_2001@yahoo.co.in

Link to his book: http://www.pearsoned.co.in/web/books/9788131729694-Introduction-to-CAT-Tips-from-an-IIM-Alumnus.aspx