--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I tell students, when in doubt, to title…" description: "\"“I tell students, when in doubt, to title their story after the smallest concrete object in their story. I warn them off plays on words, ('The Rent Als..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/ron-carlson-28022_life_i-tell-students-when-in-doubt-to-title-t_511808.jpg" --- # I tell students, when in doubt, to title their story after… ![“I tell students, when in doubt, to title their story after the smallest concrete object in their story. I warn them off plays on words, ('The Rent Also Rises'--no; 'Life in My Cat House'-- no ) and no grand reaches, either. 'Reverence,' 'Respect,' 'Regret,' 'Greed,' 'Adventure,' 'Retribution.' And…” quote by Ron Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/ron-carlson-28022_life_i-tell-students-when-in-doubt-to-title-t_511808.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/ron-carlson-28022_life_i-tell-students-when-in-doubt-to-title-t_511808.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f97/ron-carlson-28022_life_i-tell-students-when-in-doubt-to-title-t_511808.jpg) > ““I tell students, when in doubt, to title their story after the smallest concrete object in their story. I warn them off plays on words, ('The Rent Also Rises'--no; 'Life in My Cat House'-- no ) and no grand reaches, either. 'Reverence,' 'Respect,' 'Regret,' 'Greed,' 'Adventure,' 'Retribution.' And never use the worst title of all time, 'The Gift,' a story I read six times a year.”” [Ron Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-carlson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages concrete, specific titles and warns against vague, punny, or overused titles that lack distinct imagery or impact. **In simple terms:** Use precise, tangible titles; avoid generic or clever wordplay. Key Takeaway Choose a title that reflects a clear, concrete element of your story. Themes writing titles creativity clarity literature Mood thoughtful practical Type advice instructional When to use this quote - novel drafting - short story workshops - author branding - marketing pitches Key Concepts specificity focus originality Questions to Reflect On - What concrete object best captures your story’s core? - How can a specific title enhance reader expectations? A Different Perspective A concrete title may limit broader thematic interpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [It is important for me to discover the ideal title, for without this title the story or novel isn't quite in focus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/it-is-important-for-me-to-discover-the-ideal-title-for-without-this/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) > [The title of my story is death ,and the word as its weapon !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mly-ab/the-title-of-my-story-is-death-and-the-word-as-its-weapon/) MLY AB > [“It is the essence of a good title, in my opinion, that it means more after you have completed the story than before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/it-is-the-essence-of-a-good-title-in-my-opinion-that-it-means-more/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [You should lead and serve by example without a title because people will and should remember you by and for your actions and accomplishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stamatis/you-should-lead-and-serve-by-example-without-a-title-because-people/) [George Stamatis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stamatis/) > [Every title is important for Chelsea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar/every-title-is-important-for-chelsea/) [Oscar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar/) > [I'm over this thing of being champion, having the title.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anderson-silva/i-m-over-this-thing-of-being-champion-having-the-title/) [Anderson Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anderson-silva/) > [I'm gonna challenge Camacho, Rosario or anyone else who has the lightweight title.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julio-cesar-chavez-sr/i-m-gonna-challenge-camacho-rosario-or-anyone-else-who-has-the/) [Julio Cesar Chavez Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julio-cesar-chavez-sr/) > [Again, a franchise to me doesn't have to be a billion dollar title.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fincher/again-a-franchise-to-me-doesn-t-have-to-be-a-billion-dollar-title/) [David Fincher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fincher/) > [I never really know the title of a book until it's finished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wesley/i-never-really-know-the-title-of-a-book-until-it-s-finished/) [Mary Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wesley/) > [Success is walking out of here with the title, and anything less is not good enough in my book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/success-is-walking-out-of-here-with-the-title-and-anything-less-is/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [The word actress has always seemed less a job description to me than a title](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-tierney/the-word-actress-has-always-seemed-less-a-job-description-to-me-than/) [Gene Tierney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-tierney/) > [I'd rather be dealt with as a person than a persona. 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