The benefit to me is that I can easily recollect what is where and which happens first, simply by looking at the TOC–great for reviewing/double-checking during the writing process. The second is because I simply enjoy teasing the reader as to what's inside each new chapter. Usually, I use a twist on a common meme or phrase to suggest what action they'll find in the chapter.

Some on my chapters contain a single scene, but others contain several scenes whose common link is the title. I like the whimsy of it. And the flexibility.
some titles are: Leaks of Faith (three scenes regarding dangerous political videos), Sleight of Face (trouble debunking deep fake videos), Arrested Development ( framing FSB for assassination of imprisoned Russian premier).

That's a great explanation that I've been wondering about for some time but haven't found a good resource on. Until now. Thank you!

I don't make my TOC until the book is done, and all my chapter titles up to this point have been pretty plain.

That will be changing thanks to this article.

LOL Terry, I know what you mean! There's a reason only one of my novels has chapters with titles. They started coming to me and I couldn't stop, but I wouldn't want to do it all the time. On the othre hand, that novel is one of my favorites . . .
For those who might not know, Terry is the author of many excellent mysteries. Look for the newest, The Triple-D Ranch series.
Thanks, Terry!

Hi, Ellen -
First, apologies for the delayed response. I've been AFK for a birthday lunch.
I like chapter titles, too, for much the same reason, and it's good to see another vote for doing chapters after the book is done.
When I read the title of your Chapter 1, "The End" not only did I like it, it also rang a bell. Turns out it's not in a book, but a miniseries. The remake of King's The Stand has as Part 1 an episode called "The End," referring to the plague that wipes out most of the human population. So you are in good company!
Thanks!

I compile the TOC after the book is written and prefer chapter numbers as well as titles.

My WIP has an unusual first chapter title, "The End" as it is the end of life as my protagonist knew it. We'll see how that goes over.

I prefer title names in the books I read as that helps me easily return to favorite sections of the book. It's also helpful if I find an interesting turn of phrase or literary method I find useful.

Thank you for the interesting post!

Hi, Lynette. I think you have identified something important. It seems like most of us name our chapters after the book is done, sort of icing the cake.
Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, Jack. I have always liked titles or subtitles like "CIA Headquarters, Langley, VA Monday, 10:15 am" because they help me keep track of where I am in the story.
"Chapterize" -- yikes. the language moves on. I'll have to Google that.
Jack Bowie is the author of the excellent Adam Braxton series of thrillers. Thanks again, Jack.

I've done a TOC with chapter one, chapter two, etc And I've done titles that come from something the main character learns in that chapters. Like others who have commented, I don't decide on the chapter titles until after I've finished the book.