Nel titolo metto un trattino breve, poi inizio un nuovo capoverso.

Nel is a contraction of in + il.

• in = in
• il = the
• nel = in the

Italian very often combines prepositions with definite articles:

• in + il = nel
• di + il = del
• a + il = al

So nel titolo is the normal way to say in the title.

Italian often leaves out the subject pronoun when it is clear from the verb ending.

Here:

• metto = I put
• inizio = I begin / I start

Because both verbs are first-person singular, the listener already knows the subject is io.
So Io nel titolo metto... is possible, but usually unnecessary unless you want extra emphasis.

They are in the present indicative, first-person singular:

• metto = I put
• inizio = I begin

Italian often uses the present tense to describe what someone does in a procedure, explanation, or step-by-step action. In English, we do something similar:

• First I add a dash, then I start a new paragraph.

So the present tense here sounds natural because the speaker is describing their action as part of a process.

Mettere is a very common verb meaning to put, to place, or sometimes to use/add, depending on context.

In this sentence, metto un trattino breve means something like:

• I put in a short dash
• I add a short dash
• I use a short dash

So it is not necessarily about physically placing an object somewhere; it can also mean adding a written or typographic element.

Trattino is a small line used in writing or typography. Depending on context, it can refer to a hyphen or a short dash.

Breve means short, so trattino breve literally means short dash / short hyphen.

This is a fairly specific expression. In typography, Italian can distinguish between different kinds of horizontal marks, for example:

• trattino
• lineetta
• longer dashes in some editorial styles

The exact English equivalent depends on the context, but the main idea is that it is a short horizontal mark in the title.

In Italian, adjectives often come after the noun.

So:

• trattino breve = short dash
• nuovo capoverso = new paragraph

That is one of the most common adjective positions in Italian.
Sometimes adjectives can come before the noun, but after the noun is very normal and often the most neutral choice.

Also, breve agrees with trattino:

• singular: breve
• plural: brevi

So you would say:

• un trattino breve
• due trattini brevi

Poi means then, after that, or next.

It connects the two actions in sequence:

1. metto un trattino breve
2. poi inizio un nuovo capoverso

So it shows the order of events. It is a very common word in spoken and written Italian when explaining steps or narration.

Capoverso means paragraph or more specifically the start of a new paragraph.

In this sentence, inizio un nuovo capoverso means:

• I begin a new paragraph

It is a useful word, especially in writing, editing, or formatting contexts.

You may also hear:

• paragrafo = paragraph
• andare a capo = go to a new line / start a new line

But capoverso is especially tied to the idea of a paragraph break in writing.

Because the speaker is starting a new one.

• un = a
• nuovo = new
• capoverso = paragraph

So inizio un nuovo capoverso is the natural way to say I start a new paragraph.

Without nuovo, the meaning would be less specific. The adjective helps make clear that the speaker is moving on to another paragraph.

Here, inizio is a verb from iniziare:

• inizio = I begin / I start

But inizio can also be a noun meaning beginning:

• l’inizio del libro = the beginning of the book

So this is one of those Italian words whose meaning depends on the sentence.
In poi inizio un nuovo capoverso, it is clearly the verb because it is followed by a direct object: un nuovo capoverso.

Yes. The original sentence is understandable and natural, but Italian offers several alternatives depending on style.

For example:

• Nel titolo metto un trattino breve, poi comincio un nuovo capoverso.
• Nel titolo inserisco un trattino breve, poi inizio un nuovo capoverso.
• Nel titolo metto un trattino breve, poi vado a capo e inizio un nuovo paragrafo.

Some choices sound slightly more technical or more everyday:

• metto = simple, common
• inserisco = a bit more formal or technical
• capoverso = writing/editing term
• paragrafo = very common and easy to understand

So the exact wording can change, but the structure and meaning remain similar.