Look at the first couple of paragraphs. If the paper has been well crafted, they
will establish what the paper is about. The title of the article should also suggest
the main point of concern of the article, the direction of the interpretation, and
sometimes the time frame or period of concern. In some disciplines, an abstract
will precede the text of the paper. This will (if it’s been properly written) give an
uncritical summary of the paper’s contents.