Writing lesson from a museum exhibit
A strong title can boost the appeal of a dull topic, as an exhibit at the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts reminded me.
I was leaning toward skipping the museum’s exhibit of Currier & Ives nineteenth century lithographs. The name summons fusty images.
But I changed my mind after I read the exhibit’s title: “The Real Housewives of Currier & Ives.”
The title promised a lively, contemporary spin on old images. Even better, it delivered on its promise, giving me a sense of women’s changing roles.
You can boost the appeal of your articles and blog posts by adapting titles of popular books and shows. If you do this well, you may attract readers who wouldn’t have looked at a more conventionally titled piece.
Have you successfully used a title from popular culture for your writing? Please share it below.
Currier & Ives travel note
If you’d like to see one of the country’s largest Currier & Ives collections, visit the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts’ Lenore B. and Sydney A. Alpert Currier & Ives Gallery.
For another exhibit-inspired blog post, go to Communications lessons from “Torn in Two” at the Boston Public Library
Excellent post Susan. I have very found memories of the Springfield Museum, so this post was both thought-provoking and nostalgic for me.
Thank you, Sue!I’m so glad you enjoyed this post on two levels.
Good idea, Susan–thanks! I also found the lessons in your companion post about “Torn in Two”very valuable.
Thank you, Susan B! I’m glad you liked my post.