Effectiveness of Chapter Headings Vs No Chapter Headings by Julieann Wallace #ChaBooCha

Effectiveness of Chapter Headings Vs No Chapter Headings

Thoughts  by Julieann Wallace

 - teacher, author, illustrator, chocolate monster,

CEO at Lilly Pilly Press ( lillypillypress@outlook.com  www.facebook.com/LillyPillyPress )

Round One

Middle School Readers (9-12 year olds)

In the red corner, we have Book One.  A well written adventure story for Middle School readers  that will have you rolling on the floor in fits of laughter.  Book One is 35, 000 words in length.  It is a chapter book as one would expect, but has no Chapter Headings. (applause)

In the blue corner, we have Book Two. A well written adventure story for Middle School readers  that will have you rolling on the floor in fits of laughter.  Book Two is 35, 000 words in length.  It is a chapter book as one would expect, and contains Chapter Headings. (applause)

Let the game begin!

Book One

Book Two

ü  Chapters

ü  Chapters   ü  High interest attention grabbing Chapter Headings/Images luring the reader to keep reading to see what happens next.   ü  Reader can use prediction as to what may occur in the chapter.   ü  Chapter Heading will prepare reader for the type of words they will come across in the chapter.   ü  As a teaching tool, Chapter Headings will create discussion, think and share, prediction, reasoning, possible, impossible conversations.   ü  Stepping stone from Picture Books to Chapter Books.

Some Middle School Brains without chapter headings as they read a novel	Middle School Brains with chapter headings as they read a novel
The reader is lost.  They don't know where they are going with any of the information they are reading, or when it will end. Often, this reader will not persevere with reading, are often discouraged, and give up.	They have perspective. They know that this chapter contains all the information needed for a particular point to be made, or for a scene to occur, and then next chapter is the next development in the story. The reader is encouraged to continue reading as bit by bit the story unfolds in a meaningful way.

N.B.  The above information is generally speaking about children in the Middle School Reader age range.  Whilst this is a broad generalisation, children do have different reading abilities, and some may excel, or some may require more support with their reading journey.

Book One knocked out!  Book Two - WINNER!   (applause)

Round Two

YA Readers (12-17 year olds)

In the red corner, we have Book One.  A well written teenage drama story for YA readers, that will have you page turning and gasping for air.  Book One is 55, 000 words in length.  It is a chapter book as one would expect, but has no Chapter Headings. (applause)

In the blue corner, we have Book Two. A well written teenage drama for YA readers, that will have you page turning and gasping for air.  Book Two is 55, 000 words in length.  It is a chapter book as one would expect, and contains Chapter Headings. (applause)

Let the game begin!

Book One	Book Two
ü  Chapters   ü  Font of Chapter Number is unusual or quirky,  appealing to the YA age group and their status that they are not children anymore, but individuals wanting to make a statement.   ü  Stepping stone from Middle School Reader to YA to New Adult to Adult	ü  Chapters   ü  Chapter Headings to invite the reader to keep reading to see what happens next.   ü  Reader can use prediction as to what may occur in the chapter.   ü  Stepping stone from Middle School Reader to YA to New Adult to Adult.

The YA Brain without chapter headings as they read a novel	The YA Brain with chapter headings as they read a novel
http://printontheperiphery.wordpress.com/category/book-history/  *	http://printontheperiphery.wordpress.com/category/book-history/  *
As an effective independent reader, the YA brain is very adept at prediction, reflection, questioning and linking of information.  The YA reader does not require Chapter Headings, and is motivated by the plot and character development, and emotional attachment to the characters.	As an effective independent reader, the YA brain is very adept at prediction, reflection, questioning and linking of information. The YA reader does not require Chapter Headings, but can be persuaded to continue reading because of a Chapter Heading.  They are motivated by the plot and character development, and emotional attachment to the characters.

The spectators wait with bated breath as they await the judges' decision…….

Book One and Book Two stand aside the referee shuffling from foot to foot in nervous anticipation……

The result is in - DRAW!  ( rapturous applause) 

Chapter Headings - The Choice is Yours

After researching the topic of Chapter Headings, I discovered that Chapter Headings, and whether you incorporate them into your writing or not, is a very personal choice. However, your choice must be based on the needs of your targeted audience.

As children journey through the years, there is a natural progression that they globally partake in, to become independent, effective readers.

·         Babies - junior school children - Picture Books, and some chapter books - supported by abundant verbal interaction about words and pictures as their reading  and vocabulary develops - enriched by reading.

·         Middle-School Children - Chapter Books, some incorporation  of illustrations  here and there, to no illustrations.

·         YA - Chapter Books.  Illustrations far and few between, if any at all (generally speaking). 

As a writer, one of your goals is to want your reader to love reading, to feel  successful at reading, and keep them returning to reading. So, in order to do this, you need to know your targeted audience well as you decide on whether to use Chapter Headings or not. 

Chapter Heading Vs No Chapter Heading

A Scenario

…The End. You have finally finished your manuscript. You will either be doing the dance of joy, because your story is complete, or lost, like I always am because I am saying goodbye to the characters in my story that I have created, and come to love. 

You glance over your ms, and wonder: Do I need Chapter Headings?

Frantically, you race to a book store and hit the new release and best seller shelves and proceed to investigate every book on the shelf delving into the world of Chapter Headings, to see what other writers do, and what the "in thing" is with the publishing houses, and return home confused as there is no clear pattern happening for Chapter Headings.

You return to your manuscript and ponder what to do. 

What should you do regarding Chapter Headings? 

So, what is a chapter heading?

Let's look at some definitions to set a clear focus on the topic.

chap· ter n. One of the main divisions of a relatively lengthy piece of writing, such as a book, that is usually numbered or titled.

head·ing n 1.something that serves as a head, top, or front.

                     2. a title or caption of a page, chapter, etc.

 ti·tle  n  1.the distinguishing name of a book, poem, picture, piece of music, or the like.

                2. a descriptive heading or caption, as of a chapter, section, or other part of a book.

Books, Chapters, Chapter Headings for Middle Grade and YA Readers

It is a certainty that writers give much thought as to whether to add chapter headings or not.  Some writers revel in chapter headings, others question whether they are necessary, or even struggle over the use of a heading, and even what words to use in the Chapter Heading.

Some have their Chapter Headings before they write their book, others create the Chapter Headings after they complete the Chapter.  There is no right or wrong way when embarking on words for Chapter Headings, as we all work in different ways.

The Role and Effect of Chapter Headings

For the Writer:

·         Chapter Headings can be like the story plot and can help to keep the writer focussed on the story/message/idea.

·         Chapters Headings can give the writer a point of reference to occurrences in the storyline. Have you ever gone back to a chapter to read the details again.  For example, in a mystery, if the clues are planted throughout the book, and you missed something really obvious that gives a hint about who did it? Or, do you need to plant a clue in an earlier chapter?

·         A single word in the Chapter Heading can smash writer's block, filling you with enthusiasm, encouraging words to flow easily.

For the Reader:

·         Chapters can be seen like steps to solve a problem in the story (story map).

·         Chapters Headings guide the reader with the story plot.

·         Chapters can keep the reader focussed on the story/message/idea

·         Chapters give the reader a point in the story to stop and think about what has happened, and leads them to start thinking about what is going to happen next?  Prediction and Reflection.

·         Chapters give the reader a point of reference to occurrences in the storyline.

When are chapter headings ineffective?

·         When they are irrelevant to the content.

·         When they are misleading.

·         When they give the story away!  Do not allow the heading to give too much information about what is going to happen, taking the mystery and lure away from the reader.

Deciding on Chapter Headings

My Suggestion: 

Step back from your book, and look at it from the eyes of your targeted audience.

·         What do they BRING to you book in the way of prior knowledge, ability and expectations.

·         What do they NEED from you book?

·         Why are they reading your book?

·         What do you want to GIFT them with, from the words from your book?

·         By adding Chapter Headings, are you giving, or taking something away, from the power of your words?

·         What stage is your reader emotionally at?

·         What gender is the book targeted at?

Step back to your book.

·           Are the Chapter Headings giving away too much information about what will happen in the story?

·           Are the Chapter Headings inviting the reader in to keep reading?

·           Does the Chapter Heading fit the context of your content?  Or, does you book need Chapter Headings at all?

·           Do the Chapter Headings  add to your story, or do they take away from your story?

·           Do you have to use words for your Chapter Headings, or can you use an image instead?

Chapter Headings In a Nutshell

Whether to have Chapter Headings or not, is totally up to you as the writer. But whatever you choose, your decision must be based on  the needs of your targeted audience.

Also consider the following: 

The Chapter Headings

·         need to add to your story.

·         have a link to the words used in the chapter,  making meaning, building strength, building the plot, building interest.

·         help to chunk information that have the common purpose of moving the plot along.

·         Can be words or images.

Obtaining opinions from beta readers, and writing buddies is essential J

For Added Interest….

In works of fiction, authors sometimes number their chapters eccentrically, often as a metafictional statement. For example:

• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon only has chapters which are prime numbers.
• At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien has the first page titled Chapter 1, but has no further chapter divisions.
• God, A Users Guide by Seán Moncrieff is chaptered backwards (i.e., the first chapter is chapter 20 and the last is chapter 1). The novel The Running Man by Stephen King also uses a similar chapter numbering scheme.
• Every novel in the series A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket has thirteen chapters, except the final installment (The End), which has a fourteenth chapter formatted as its own novel.
• Mammoth by John Varley, has the chapters ordered in chronological order from the point of view of a non-time-traveler, but, as most of the characters travel through time, this leads to the chapters defying the conventional order.

Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts on Chapter Headings.                                                                                             

What are your thoughts about the topic?

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_(books)                                                                                                                                                                                  * Image: Why reading feeds our brain  New York Times article entitled, ‘Your Brain on Fiction’ by Annie Murphy Paul http://dictionary.reference.com/

***** 

Julieann Wallace

~ Writer, Illustrator, Author, Editor, Educator ~

Publisher at Lilly Pilly Press

     It’s funny how life twists and turns and polishes people into who they are

created to be. Never in her wildest dreams did Julieann think that she would

become a published author.  Art, Sport and Teaching were her passions, besides being a mum to three amazing children.

Throughout her  journey in life, one thing is absolutely clear -

~ We are not all created equally, but, we all have the same capacity to love, to laugh,

and to treat others in kindness, patience and understanding equally~

       And this is what you will find in Julieann’s picture books - written with 

an author’s passion, an illustrator's hand, a teacher’s mind and a creative heart.

You can connect with Julieann at Julieann Wallace - Writer, Author, Illustrator

    or at Lilly Pilly Press

*****
Give-away:

One commenter will win a paperback copy of "The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters."  All you have to do is comment on this post to be entered in the drawing. Must be a signed-up member of the Chapter Book Challenge to qualify. Comment before noon on March 26th, 2014. Winner will be chosen by a random number generator on March 26th, 2014 at noon. 

*****

Winners:

And now for the announcement of the two winners of K.M. Weiland's books!

     

In the first drawing, for "Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story," the winner is:

Amy Dixon!

Congratulations, Amy!

And in the second drawing, for "Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success," the winner is:

Beverley Baird!

Congratulations, Beverley!