A subtitle is a secondary title of a book or other work of art that supplements or clarifies the main title. It usually appears directly below the main title on the cover or spine of the work, or in a header at the beginning of the work. The subtitle may be written in a different font or style than the main title, and it may be of equal or lesser importance than the main title.
There are a few different ways that a subtitle can be used. One way is to clarify the book’s main title. For example, if a book’s title is simply “The History of the United States,” a subtitle could be used to specify which period of history is covered in the book, such as “The History of the United States: From the Colonial Era to the Present.”
The purpose of a subtitle is to provide more information about the book’s content. It can help to clarify the book’s genre, or give more information about the book’s plot. In some cases, the subtitle can be simply be a catchy phrase that helps to sell the book. For example, the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen has the subtitle “A Novel of Manners.” This subtitle tells potential readers that the book is a satire of the social customs of the time period.
While a book’s subtitle is not always necessary, it can be very helpful in providing additional information about the book’s content. A subtitle can help to clarify the book’s focus, or give the reader a better sense of what to expect. In some cases, the subtitle may even be more important than the book’s title in conveying its message. For these reasons, it is important to carefully consider a book’s subtitle when choosing what to read.