Summarize the following:
If you choose a title that sounds like it belongs in one genre while the actual content of the story belongs in another, you'll not only confuse potential readers, you may alienate them. For example, if your title sounds distinctly fantasy-esque, like "The Dragon of the Old Tower," but the story is in fact about modern-day brokers on Wall Street, you'll alienate those who pick up your story looking for fantasy and you'll miss entirely those looking for a story about something modern or about the world of elite finance, etc. In the majority of cases, titles that are brief but impactful are more successful than those that are long and difficult to remember. For example, "A Man Discovers the Perils of a Solo Trek Through the Yukon" is likely less compelling to potential readers than "To Build a Fire," which is shorter and more imaginative. Titles that use poetic language, vivid imagery, or a bit of mystery tend to be alluring to potential readers. Poetic language in a title, like "A Rose for Emily" or Gone with the Wind, draws readers with an elegant turn of phrase that promises an equally poetic story or writing style. Titles that evoke vivid imagery appeal to readers because they conjure something tangible and meaningful. A title like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, though long, creates an immediate and vivid image that conjures an idea of a battle between good and evil. Imbuing your title with a bit of mystery can also draw readers in. A title like Something Wicked This Way Comes (also an allusion from Macbeth) or "The Black Cat" give just enough information to raise questions that will pull the reader into the story. Though alliteration--the repetition of successive sounds at the beginning of words--can make a title catchier or more memorable, it can also make it sound trite or hokey if not done well. Subtle alliteration, like I Capture the Castle or The Count of Monte Cristo, can add appeal to a title. Obvious or forced alliteration, on the other hand--like "The Guileless Guide of Gullible Gus" or "The Especially Exciting Endeavors of Elanor Ellis"--can easily dissuade a potential reader from picking up your story.
Create a genre-appropriate title. Limit the length. Make it interesting. Use alliteration sparingly and with caution.