Make the first few words count—they’re all learners may see

Titles and descriptions aren’t just metadata—they’re the first impression your content makes on the Edovo platform. And in a digital environment with no animated pop ups, no autoplay previews, and no scrolling headlines, the first line has to do all the heavy lifting. This guide breaks down how to write clear, compelling titles and descriptions that drive engagement and reflect best practices in adult learning, instructional design, and Edovo’s tablet format.

Your cheat sheet for this article

1. Titles and descriptions are visible to Learners before starting a course or resource.

2. On smaller tablets, learners only see the first 150–300 characters of a description—make them count.

3. Strong descriptions support Gagné’s first two events: gaining attention and informing learners of the objectives.

4. Use plain language, active verbs, and learner-facing outcomes.

5. Your tone, format, and voice still shine—but clarity, brevity, and purpose come first.
   

Why this matters: titles and descriptions as teaching tools

From an instructional design perspective, your title and description help orient the Learner before they engage. That aligns with:

• Gagné’s Event 1: Gain Attention – A clear, relevant title signals importance and generates curiosity.
  
  

• Gagné’s Event 2: Inform Learners of Objectives – The description prepares the Learner for what they’ll gain.
  
  

• Adult Learning Theory – Adults need to understand why something matters and how it applies to their real life.
  
  

Done well, these two fields of text provide the mental “hook” that increases motivation, curiosity, and cognitive readiness.

Best practices for titles

A great title does two jobs: it tells the learner what to expect and makes them want to click. Aim for titles that are:

What to avoid

Even strong content can get overlooked if the title doesn’t land. Here’s what to steer clear of—and why:

• Avoid: Too Vague
  Example: Cool Course About Money
  Why it misses: “Cool” isn’t specific, and “money” could mean anything—from budgeting to cryptocurrency. Learners need to know what they’re getting.
  
  

• Avoid: Too Gimmicky or Cutesy
  Example: Resumes and Jobs and Life Skills, Oh My!
  Why it misses: While playful, this title lacks clarity. Learners don’t know what skills they’ll walk away with—and the tone may feel out of sync with their priorities.
  
  

• Avoid: Too Long or Overly Academic
  Example: Parental Relationships, Incarcerated Parenting, and the Role of Connection in Childhood Development
  Why it misses: This reads more like a dissertation title. On a tablet screen, it will get cut off—and most Learners will scroll past before finishing the first word.
  
  

• Avoid: Too Broad
  Example: Health
  Why it misses: A title this general could apply to anything—mental health, nutrition, chronic illness. Learners need specifics to decide whether to click.
  
  

• Avoid: Too Technical for the Audience
  Example: Cognitive Behavioral Frameworks for Behavioral Change
  Why it misses: Unless the course is meant for trained clinicians, this is jargon-heavy and unapproachable. Translate theory into learner-facing language.
  
  

• Avoid: Too Generic
  Example: Life Skills 101
  Why it misses: It doesn’t communicate which life skills. Learners need a reason to choose your course over the dozens of others with similar themes.

What works: strong title examples

Now that we’ve seen what not to do (looking at you, vague and overly academic title with a comma problem), let’s turn the page. These titles actually make the cut—clear, focused, and built to catch a learner’s eye. Here’s why they work:

• What to aim for: Clear and Outcome-Focused
  Example: Resume Basics: Build a Resume That Gets Noticed
  Why it works: The title tells learners exactly what they’ll accomplish—creating a resume that stands out. The first half introduces the topic; the second half sells the value.
  
  

• What to aim for: Specific and Empowering
  Example: Understanding Addiction: Tools for Recovery
  Why it works: This combines emotional relevance with practical utility. “Understanding” invites reflection, while “tools” signals that learners will walk away with strategies they can use.
  
  

• What to aim for: Rooted in Lived Experience
  Example: Parenting from Prison: Staying Connected to Your Kids
  Why it works: It speaks directly to a specific learner experience and offers a clear, meaningful benefit. “Staying connected” is both emotionally resonant and achievable.
  
  

• What to aim for: Foundational but Actionable
  Example: Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
  Why it works: “101” signals this is beginner-friendly. The phrase “take control” adds motivation and emotional relevance—Learners see why it matters to them.

Of course, a great title gets learners to the table—but it’s the description that serves the meal. If your title is the handshake, your description is the conversation. Let’s make sure it doesn’t put anyone to sleep (or worse, make them scroll away).

Description pitfalls to avoid

Before we talk about what makes a great description, let’s look at what doesn’t. These common missteps might seem harmless, but they’ll leave Learners confused, disengaged, or just scrolling on by.

Too generic

“This is a resource about stress and how to deal with it.”
Why It Misses: It doesn’t tell the Learner what the stress is, how they’ll deal with it, or why it matters. Sounds like it’s still waiting on a rewrite.

Too academic

“Participants will understand the neurological processes and frameworks related to parenting in correctional contexts.”
Why It Misses: This reads like it belongs in a grant application. Learners aren’t looking for theory—they’re looking for connection.

Too vague

“Watch this video and learn stuff about money.”
Why It Misses: “Stuff” isn’t a learning outcome. It gives zero clue what the video covers or why it’s worth their time.

Too gimmicky

“Money Tips & Tricks That’ll Blow Your Mind!”
Why It Misses: Clickbait doesn’t build trust. Learners deserve clarity over hype.

Too long

“This course is an extended exploration of the behavioral and psychological impacts of substance dependency and strategies for therapeutic intervention through cognitive reframing exercises and group reflection opportunities.”
Why It Misses: Deep breath. That’s a single sentence. Learners on 7–12” tablets need concise, readable intros—not a run-on lecture.

Let’s flip the script

If you’re thinking, “Okay…but what am I supposed to say?”—you’re in the right place.

So, pause and ask yourself:

• What will catch a learner’s attention and get them interested?

• What does this content help someone do?

• What’s the problem it solves or the need it meets?

• How would I explain this to a learner in one or two sentences—without a whiteboard-so they can decide if this is right for them or not?

If your answers are practical, punchy, and human—you’re already halfway to a strong description.

Description strategies that work

Clear and specific

“Learn how to manage stress in a high-pressure environment using simple, science-backed techniques you can practice daily.”
Why It Works: It gives Learners a clear challenge (stress), a clear benefit (techniques), and a reason to care (real life, daily use).

Practical and encouraging

“This course walks you through how to write a powerful resume—whether you’ve had a job before or not.”
Why It Works: It lowers the barrier to entry, speaks directly to common fears, and promises a tangible, valuable outcome.

Empathetic and relatable

“No one teaches you how to be a parent from prison. This guide helps you show up for your child in small, meaningful ways.”
Why It Works: It acknowledges the learner’s experience, skips the judgment, and offers real, actionable hope.

Purpose-driven and honest

“Addiction recovery starts with understanding your brain. This resource breaks down why habits form and how to change them.”
Why It Works: No fluff—just clarity, science, and a direct invitation to reflect and grow.

Formatting tips for Edovo’s platform

• Character limits: On 7” tablets, descriptions get cut off around 150–200 characters unless expanded.
  
  

• Mobile-first design: Write for small screens—short sentences, clear language, and avoid long blocks of text.
  
  

• Tone: Aim for warm, direct, and encouraging. Speak to the learner, not about them.
  
  

• Branding: You can include your name and organization elsewhere (like in the content card). The title and description should stay focused on the Learner’s experience.
  
  

TL;DR: Clear titles & descriptions help learners choose (and stay)

Think of your title and description as the Learner’s invitation to engage. If it’s confusing, vague, or overly academic, they’re more likely to scroll past. But if it’s clear, engaging, and grounded in their reality—it just might be the hook that pulls them in.

• Use titles to signal relevance
  
  

• Use descriptions to spark interest and communicate value
  
  

• Keep it short, specific, and learner-focused