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Properly Format Your Titles: Underlines, Italics, and Quotes | Writer’s Relief

by Writer's Relief Staff | Format Your Writing , Proofreading , Punctuation | 47 comments

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Formatting titles gives some writers a headache. Should the title of songs, stories, movies, books, screenplays, etc. be in italics or quotes? When you’re trying to remember if you’re supposed to use underlining or italics or quotation marks for titles, here are a few simple rules from Writer’s Relief.

Remember that people used to type their work or write it longhand. When titles needed to be italicized, italics were represented by underlining. These days, many people avoid underlining to minimize confusion between words that are underlined and hyperlinks.

3 Simple Tips For Properly Formatting Titles Of Books, Stories, Poems

1) Underlining and italics serve the same purpose. Never do both. Do NOT use quotation marks, underline, or italics together.

2) For any work that stands on its own, you should use italics or underline. (Stories or chapters from within a book are considered PARTS of the book.)

Quick Formatting Style Guide For Your Titles

Books: Italics or Underline

CDs: Italics or Underline

Articles (Newspaper or Magazine): Quotation Marks

Chapter Titles (not chapter numbers): Quotation Marks

Magazines, Newspapers, Journals: Italics or Underline

Names of Ships, Trains, Airplanes, Spacecraft: Italics

Poems : Quotation Marks

Plays: Italics

Short Stories : Quotation Marks

Song Titles: Quotation Marks

Special Phrases (“let them eat cake”), Words, or Sentences: Quotation Marks

Television Shows and Movies: Italics

Television and Radio Episode Titles: Quotation Marks

Knowing when to use quotes, italics, or underlining can be tricky. Writer’s Relief proofreaders can help you proofread your creative writing submissions to be sure your titles are properly formatted.

For more formatting and writing tips follow Writer’s Relief on Twitter!

47 Comments

The English language is hard, man.

Esperanto is a lot better. I suggest looking into it.

That is false, you actually may use both quotes and italics. In certain cases of course.

Thannks! Needed help quickly and got it here 😀

this was a really nice resource for writing a paper that drew on multiple types of resources, thanks. only thing I didn’t find was formatting for movies!

Samuel is correct. You may underline, italicize, or put a quotation mark around the desired title of a book. Many people, (at first,) used to underline the titles of books. People now tend to italicize or put a quotation mark around a title of a book.

Whenever possible, italicizing book titles is a must. However, on social media, we prefer to use ALL caps; we may be in the minority for that—according to a recent poll by Grammar Girl: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/formatting-titles-twitter-and-facebook

Thanks! I have a huge test tomorrow and needed to get some quick study time in.

Formatting needs to adjust for social media, italics aand underline doesn’t work across platforms…. we’re living in the internet age still ruled by the before Internet age period. As of yet unnamed. Please some one fix this and also think of a name. Thx

what about sculptures paintings etc?

jj, sculptures and paintings would be italicized.

Great information, thank you. Do you know how webinar titles should be formatted? Thanks you in advance.

TF, webinar titles should be italicized.

Do you italicize or use quotation marks for the titles of publishers?

Hi, Olivia– Neither. The publisher’s name is just initial capped.

Do all of these rules apply to only books or do they apply to screenplays as well?

Good article!

Very helpful article!

Thanks a bunch!

What if I’m typing the title of a song and quoting what someone said about that song in the same sentence? Is it okay to put quotation marks around both the song title and what the person said? I know it’s grammatically correct but it just doesn’t look right and seems confusing.

The correct way to do it is to put both in quotation marks. If you gave a list of song titles in a sentence, each would be in quotation marks, so having multiple sets of items in quotation marks in one sentence is not uncommon.

Hi, if i want to quote a sentence for text evidence and the author underlined a word in that sentence, then do I have to underline that word when I quote also? Thank You

In copying quoted material, you should follow the extract exactly.

What about albums/EP names? Quote or italics for those?

Per the Chicago Manual of Style, titles of music albums are italic.

Hi! How would you format a quote from a short story from a series? Would you put the series in italics, but the story title itself in quotes?

Would this be appropriate?

“‘Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me,’ I observed.” – Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, “The Red-Headed League”

Is the title of a film series e.g. Star Wars put in italics or quotes?

The name of a specific film is in italics. The name of the series itself doesn’t use italics or quotes. Hope this helps!

Okay so this sentence The author said “James Joyce’s Dubliners is a circular analysis of stagnation and entrapment leading to both individual and collective death in a dead city.” Am I suppose to italicize that or leave it as be? It was in an article.

Hi Nehemiah,

“Dubliners” is the title of a book, so it would be italicized. If the sentence is in quotation marks, it doesn’t need to be italicized.

I’ve been looking but I can’t find any rules around referring to a blog in copy. Does anyone know the rule for this? The context is as follows>

Joe also writes a blog: Good Grammar

Titles of blogs are in italics.

Hello, I would like to subscribe for this weblog to take latest updates, so where can i do it please assist.

You can sign up for our mailing list here: https://writersrelief.com/submit-write-now/

I realize this isn’t really about quotation marks, but I get the distinct impression you know your stuff. Perhaps you can answer this question for me. I do transcription and we don’t use italics. Instead, we use quotation marks. Here is the sentence causing me grief:

“Hi, I’m from “Fern”.”

According to the guidelines I need to follow, Fern has to be in quotations because it’s a magazine title. However, this just doesn’t look right to me. It is correct? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

We can’t really speak toward your particular case, since typically a magazine title would be in italics. Your company follows its own guidelines, so the guidelines we follow wouldn’t really apply. You could consider putting the magazine title in all caps, or using single quotations within the double quotations.

What would you suggest for musical works that are numbered, for example: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony? Should ‘Fifth Symphony’ be in italics or quotes, or just in normal type?

The title of a musical work is italicized. Whether there is a number in it has no relevance.

If you were to write the name of a charity, would you italicize, underline, or put it in quotation marks.

We recommend checking the Chicago Manual of Style for a definitive answer.

If I am referencing the title of a research paper or special assignment that I wrote, do I put it in quotation marks, or possibly capitalize the first letter in each word? For example:

“The Impact of Globalization on the Global Economy”

If one character is in dialogue with another and is quoting an extract from for example a Shakespeare play, should the quote be in italics? e.g. “I love the quote ‘I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space’.”?

You would seem to have it correct!

Angel Langner, This advice is about a year late, but I never did see an answer for you. Use single quotation marks inside the double quotation marks. “Hi, I’m from ‘Fern.’” Periods and commas are always inside quotation marks.

I have a paper on gender. I am trying to figure out what to use for the Me Too and Times up campaigns?

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Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Knowing When To Underline Or Italicize: Your Go-To Guide

Updated: July 11, 2022

Published: May 27, 2021

Knowing when to underline or italicize can be confusing. But it doesn’t have to be! In this article, we’ll lay out all the basics, plus a few common difficulties that confuse many writers, so you’ll be an expert in no time.

At the end of the article, you’ll get the chance to practice your hand at some sample sentences, so you’ll be sure that you know the ins and outs of using italics and underlines.

Italics Vs Underline: Clarifying The Confusion

In the past (before computers and MLA handbooks), italics and underlines were used to emphasize certain words or titles within the text. It let the reader know what was important, or what was separate from the rest of the sentence. They were both used interchangeably, as long as they were consistent.

Now, with the ability to change formatting with the click of a button, italics are generally used to indicate titles, and only sometimes for emphasis. Meanwhile, underlining is mostly reserved to replace italics in handwritten papers. Manuals and guidebooks, such as the MLA handbook, are now widely used in large institutions or according to the country’s standards, so that specific writing conventions, grammar rules, and formatting styles have become uniform.

With that said, the general rule is that italics are used for titles of books, movies, TV and radio shows, magazines, works of art, and long poems. As mentioned before, underlining is a substitute for italics when writing titles by hand.

Proper formatting in an essay can be confusing for many students: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-blue-blazer-holding-white-paper-3727468/

Titles of long works.

Titles that should be italicized are longer works. These include titles of books, movies, TV and radio shows, journals and magazines, and long poems. In the next section, we’ll see how these works differ from titles of shorter works which are put in quotations instead.

• The novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, was published in 1847 under the pen name of Currer Bell.
• The movie Home Alone , released in 1990, made a worldwide total of $476,684,675 in box office revenue.

Titles Of Smaller Works

The titles of smaller works are put in “quotations” in order to differentiate them from longer works. These smaller works include titles of chapters, short stories, TV or radio show episodes, articles, and short poems.

In the examples below, note how you can recognize the difference between the shorter works and larger works just by seeing how they are emphasized in the sentence. This makes it impossible to confuse the title of a chapter with the book that it belongs to, or the episode from its TV show.

• The chapter entitled “The Castaway” in Moby Dick describes the near-death experience of a character named Pip.
• Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, “The Fall of the House of Usher,” was originally published in a Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine.
• The pilot episode of Friends , which was released on September 22, 1994, is called “The One Where Monica Gets A Roommate.”

Punctuation In Titles: Common Confusions

Question marks.

Confusion can come up when a title includes a question mark or an exclamation mark in the title itself. For example, the book Who Has Seen the Wind? includes a question mark in it.

The way to deal with these titles is to italicize the question mark as well, just as it is above. By doing so, you can differentiate this title from an actual question, such as writing: Have you read Gone With the Wind ?

The same idea applies to exclamation marks — for example, the movie Mamma Mia! , which includes an exclamation mark in the title. Note the italicization, and the difference between writing Mamma Mia! , the movie, and writing: I can’t believe that you never watched The Parent Trap !

Commas and periods

The confusion of commas and periods when it comes to quotations is a debate between different handbooks and countries. According to the MLA (Modern Language Association) handbook, commas and periods are placed inside of quotation marks.

• “The Seinfeld Chronicles , ” the first episode of Seinfeld , had 15.4 million viewers in America.
• Among the short stories of James Joyce included in the collection Dubliners are “Araby , ” “The Sisters , ” and “The Encounter.”

Solidify your new skills by completing practice sentences: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-wearing-black-and-white-stripe-shirt-looking-at-white-printer-papers-on-the-wall-212286/

Let’s practice.

Try your hand at your new skills! Below are five sentences without any italics or quotations. Italicize the longer works and put the shorter works in quotations. If you get stuck, check back in the article, and you’ll be an expert in no time. Be sure to pay attention to tricky commas, periods, and question marks.

• The Lazy Controller, chapter two of Thinking Fast and Slow, talks about multitasking and its effect on thinking.
• The Yellow Wallpaper, a short story by Catherine Perkins Gilman, was originally published in The New England Magazine in January 1892.
• John Lennon’s album Imagine included favorites such as Gimme Some Truth, How Do You Sleep?, and, of course, Imagine.
• The premiere episode of Family Matters is called The Mama Who Came To Dinner, and relays the drama of Carl’s mother coming to live with him.
• The short story Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway was first published in a magazine called Transition, and was only later published in his book Men Without Women.

Why Is Proper Indentation Important?

College essays  .

No matter what you study in college, most students write a lot of essays during their school years. While some degrees may put more of an emphasis on writing proper essays , most teachers and professors will expect a certain level of basic grammar and formatting knowledge. Before you even step foot into college, you’ll most likely be expected to write an application essay . It’s important to put your best foot forward, and small formatting rules can go a long way in making a good first impression.

Landing your dream job  

In addition to college essays, prospective employers and job positions will require and look for basic (or advanced, depending on the position) writing skills. Whether you think your dream job requires writing skills or not, writing is a part of everyday life and work, from emails and text messages, to presentations and reports. Having good writing skills will help you make a good first impression, land your dream job, and do your best work.

Proper writing is an important skill for any job: https://www.pexels.com/photo/writing-notes-idea-class-7103/

Having a successful career.

Though different students earn a degree for different reasons, many are hoping to work toward a successful career. In order to do this, the right preparation is key. Preparation may be earning a degree, gaining specific skills, or having the right guidance along the way.

University of the People prepares our students for successful careers by providing program advising , mentorship , and an emphasis on career development . We know that these extra details, much like formatting in an essay, make a big difference for the future success of our students. University of the People is a tuition-free online university that offers degree programs in business administration, computer science, health science, and education.

Wrapping Up

Now you know when to underline or italicize, and much more. To wrap up, italics should be used for the titles of longer works such as movies, books, and TV shows, and underlining for handwritten papers.

In addition, we hope you’ve learned the more tricky rules such as question marks and commas, and that you’ve given some thought to the importance of writing for your future education and success.

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Titles: when to italicize, underline, or use quotation marks.

Titles are everywhere; we need them in order to be able to refer to any of the countless stories, pictures, blogs, movies, books, songs, and other works of art being created every single day.   Since most writing is about things you’ve experienced- things you’ve read, seen, heard, or touched – chances are very high that you will be including a title of something one day in your writing.

Before that happens, though, you need to know the rules that govern how to correctly write titles.  And when I say “titles,” I’m not referring to forms of addressing people.  Although I’m sure there are specific rules of etiquette that govern when to call someone “Miss” or “Ms.,” the rules I will be describing in this post apply to works of art, like books and music.

When it comes to titles, you can either italicize them or put them in quotation marks.  The 7th edition of the MLA Handbook eliminates underlining (underlining is still acceptable when hand-writing papers). Skip to the end of this post to see a note about underlining titles .  Keeping the rules for italicizing and using quotation marks straight isn’t easy, which is why there are different techniques that make remembering when to do what easier.

Big Things and Little Things

One way of looking at titles is to determine if it belongs to something that is big or something that is little.  A big thing is something that contains little things .  For example, a CD album contains many songs.  A book contains many chapters.  An anthology contains many essays or stories.  A web site contains many web pages.  A TV series contains many episodes. You get the point. 

Once you’ve determined if the title you’re trying to punctuate belongs to a big thing or a little thing, you can punctuate it.  The titles of big things are always italicized, while the titles of little things are placed within quotation marks.  The following are some examples of properly punctuated titles:

• Words Fail Me is a book with a chapter “Are Your Eggs Ready to Hatch?”
• The first episode of first season of the British television series Black Books is called “Cooking the Books.”
• “Head Over Feet” is a song on Alanis Morissette’s third studio album Jagged Little Pill.

As nice as the “big things/little things” trick is for remembering how to punctuate titles, it stops working when it encounters more complex collections of art.  For example, how do you punctuate the titles of the plays you bought in a book called The Collected Plays of William Shakespeare ? Are they considered chapters? They are little things inside of a bigger book, after all.  What about Beowulf?  It’s a poem, which is a little thing, but the MLA Handbook says that poems which are “long” need to be italicized.  What exactly does “long” mean and how are you going to remember to include those poems in with big things?

Don’t toss the towel in yet on this whole punctuating titles business – I’ve come up with a different way to remember whether or not to italicize or put a title in quotation marks.

Can You Buy It?

If you can go out and physically buy a copy of whatever title it is you’re trying to punctuate, italicize it.  If you can’t, put it in quotation marks. 

Since you can go to Barnes and Noble and find Beowulf on the shelves, it gets italicized.  The same can be said about each one of Shakespeare’s plays; you can find them in one large collected works book OR you can find them sold individually.  What you can’t do is drop by Blockbuster and try to rent ONLY the one episode of Lost you missed .  You have to rent the DVD that has several episodes on it, one of which being the episode you missed.  Therefore, you put episode titles of television series in quotation marks. 

This idea even works for web sites and web pages.  When you buy a domain, you’re buying only up to the first .com or .org or .info (or whatever extension you chose).  So only that much of a web site gets italicized (For example, GuildWars.com or Writing Simplified ). Anything after the first extension is a sub page on the web site, and gets placed inside of quotation marks (For example, the “About Me” section of my blog or any one of the titles of my individual blog posts). 

Even this trick for remembering how to punctuate titles breaks down, though.  You can buy singles of songs and there are entire works of fiction put online for free all the time.  Taken in conjunction with the “big things/little things” technique, the “Can you buy it?” trick should help you get through punctuating at least 98% of every title you’ll encounter successfully. 

For the other 2% of titles you encounter and don’t know what to do with, well, that’s what I’m here for.  Use your professor! Don’t feel embarrassed about asking when you’re unsure about how to do something.  Chances are, your teacher won’t know the answer off the top of his/her head either and will learn something in the process of looking it up for you. 

Names of Forms, Games, Restaurants, Etc.

Style guides like those published by the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) are great sources to turn to when you need to know how to punctuate something properly for a paper. But if you’re not writing an academic paper or your writing includes topics that aren’t typically found in professional publications, they won’t provide you with the answers you need. For those issues, you have to rely on your own judgment in applying the rules because an official standard hasn’t been set.

• Names of Forms : It’s rare for someone to cite a blank document (i.e., an unfilled-out form) so examples of this in published peer-reviewed literature are scarce. However, webpages and print documents refer to form titles when indicating that such and such a form needs to be filled out, or explaining the purpose of certain forms. Every single instance that I've seen so far simply capitalizes the first letter of each word in the form title. For example: "Fill out the Motor Vehicle Records Form to request information about a particular vehicle involved in an accident," "If you are employed in the US, you must fill out a W-4 Form," and "Make sure to fill out all shaded areas in Form I-765." Also notice that the word “Form” is in every name.
• Names of Restaurants: I still remember when it was natural to go to a bookstore to pick up a restaurant guide.  Nowadays, you turn to the Internet for restaurant reviews and suggestions, so finding a print standard for how to punctuate the title is difficult.  As far as the online standard goes, you have the choice to either 1) capitalize the first letter of each word in the restaurant’s name or 2) italicize (or underline!) the restaurant’s name.  You would never put the name in quotation marks, though. As the restaurant is the “big” thing that includes “smaller” things like menu choices, you would put the names of dishes in quotation marks, unless it’s a general food item that’s well known. For example, “Have you been to Chili’s ? I love their chicken parmesan,” or “I’ll see you at Hula Hut. Don’t forget to order me the ‘Funky Dunky Onion Strings’.” Both examples show acceptable ways to punctuate.
• Names of Games: Since the games themselves are the "big" thing that include smaller components, I would italicize their titles.  For example, Magic: the Gathering is a card game similar in playing style to Pokemon Trading Card Game .  I did run a quick search through a research database to see how peer-reviewed journal articles treat game titles as games are a popular topic of education-related journals. The articles I found only capitalized the first letter of each word in the game's name without italicizing or underlining it.  However, no article ever placed the game's name inside quotation marks.  With that evidence, I'd say it's a matter of personal preference whether to italicize the name or leave it unembellished.  I personally prefer the italics since it's what the rule would call for.
• Etc.: Use your personal judgment in applying the rules or drop me a line (in a comment or an e-mail). I’ll update this list with more troublesome title issues as I’m made aware of them.

A Note About Underlining Titles

Before the advent of computers and word-processing programs, there were only two options available to you when punctuating a title: underlining or quotation marks. When computers starting to become more commonplace, a third option - italicization - was added as an alternative to underlining.

Underlining titles was viewed as necessary only when handwriting titles because it is difficult to italicize one's own handwriting - especially if you're writing in cursive. Many style manuals now omit underlining as an option, stating that computers are accessible to the majority of people living in today's society and underlining is no longer needed.

However, there ARE a couple of situations that still exist where italics is either not supported or redundant:

• Social Media : Some social applications online (e.g., Facebook) do not support embedded HTML code, which means when adding comments you do not have the option of italicizing your font.
• Italicized Fonts : If you enjoy using fonts other than the default Times New Roman or Calibri, you may run across lovely fonts that mimic cursive handwriting. Although it is possible to italicize those fonts even more, the difference between regular and italicized versions of the font is often imperceptible and could confuse your reader.

When you find yourself in a situation where italicizing your font is simply not an option, surround the words you want underlined with underline dashes (Shift + the dash key).  For example, I am reworking my father’s book _Dan, A Man Without Youth_ while concurrently working on my own book, tentatively titled _Online Tools for Writers_.

Good luck with your writing endeavors! If you have any questions about how to go about punctuating titles or getting around the character limitations of online programs, send them my way and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Photo credit: Lutrus

21 comments:

Thank you!! I'm working on a book and the titles of CDs, movies, books, TV shows etc were giving me fits. I saw quite a few things online but your explanation is by far the most lucid (and fun to read). Great stuff!

Aww! Thanks for the kind words, Jackie! I'm glad my post helped someone :).

Thanks for the info...we started a few blogs recently and this was helpful. I am the editor (but using that term very loosely!)

What do you do about book titles that you can buy, but can't italicize- as on Facebook posts? What do you do then? Quotation marks?

Hi Anonymous! Sorry it took a while to publish your comment; Blogger wasn't cooperating these past few days. To answer your question, you would surround the title with underline dashes (press Shift + the dash key). For example, I like to watch the tv show _The Office_ and I just finished ordering the book _The Antithesis_ on Amazon.com. The reason you would use underline dashes instead of quotation marks is when italicizing titles is not an option, you revert back to the rules of our pre-word processor days. The option to italicize only became available when computers became a writing tool. Before the advent of computers, the only way a person could italicize his handwriting was to switch to cursive - but that was only an option if he were not already writing in cursive. When handwriting, the rule is to underline titles that require italicization. Most style guides mention the rule in passing, although the more common computers become, the fewer books bother to call attention to the option to underline. I can understand why as it might confuse students to know that they had THREE options when punctuating titles: underline, italicize, or enclose in quotation marks. It's even more confusing when you try and tell students that TWO of those options denote the same idea. I hope this helps!

As a teacher who needs to explain these rules often, I'm delighted by the simple clarity of the "big things"/"little things" explanation. I'm envious! Why didn't I think of this? Thanks so much!

What about the title of a form? Would you put quotes around it?

Unfortunately, forms are not addressed in any of the style guides as it's very rare for a person to what to cite something that is blank (i.e., not filled out with information) so I don't have an "official" position to refer you to when it comes to writing their titles. what I _can_ tell you is that I've been looking at how webpages and print documents refer to form titles when indicating that such and such a form needs to be filled out, or explaining the purpose of certain forms and every single instance that I've seen so far simply capitalizes the first letter of each word in the form title. For example: "Fill out the Motor Vehicle Records Form to request information about a particular vehicle involved in an accident," "If you are employed in the US, you must fill out a W-4 Form," and "Make sure to fill out all shaded areas in Form I-765." Also, I noticed that almost every form had the word "Form" somewhere in its name. Hope this helps you!

When citing a historical document, you would italicize, correct?

Hey Anonymous! You're right; you would italicize famous stand-alone historical documents (e.g., _The Articles of Confederation_, _US Constitution_, _Emancipation Proclamation_, etc. - individual articles and amendments get placed inside quotation marks) when you reference them in your text. As of the newest MLA edition, you no longer have to include well known historical documents in your list of Works Cited.

This is a wonderful site.  But here's one I don't know what to do with:  Games.  How do I refer to the game Magic that my son and his friends play?  Italicize it or put it in quotes?  I suppose the same question would arise about Monopoly and Clue and many others.  

 Hi Gary! That's a great question. Since the games themselves are the "big" thing that include smaller components, I would italicize their titles.  For example, _Magic: the Gathering_ is a card game similar in playing style to _Pokemon Trading Card Game_.  I did run a quick search through a research database to see how peer-reviewed journal articles treat game titles and the articles I found only capitalized the first letter of each word in the game's name without italicizing or underlining it.  However, no article ever placed the game's name inside quotation marks.  With that evidence, I'd say it's a matter of personal preference whether to italicize the name or leave it unembellished.  I personally prefer the italics since it's what the "rule" would call for. If you were to write about individual cards in the game, I would definitely place them in quotation marks. For example: If your opponent is drawing mana from many forest cards, I would deploy "Acid Rain" to destroy them.

Would you italicize Second Life, which is proprietary, free, open source software where people can interact with one another as avatars?

 Hi, journaleditor! Yes, I would absolutely italicize _Second Life_ as it's the official title of the entire world/gaming platform.  Don't be surprised if you see the name written as is without any extra punctuation or font effects, though, as few people conform to the rule when writing about things online.

You should do something about your double spaces after each sentence.  http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2011/01/space_invaders.html

 Hey Curt! Actually, double-spacing after periods is a convention carried over from pre-computer times when typesetters manually set and inked type for printing purposes. With the advent of proportional font faces and word-processors, double-spacing the beginning of sentences has become a matter of personal taste, not necessity. 

Is a section of a magazine titled or used in italics?

 Hi, Miriam! I would say a section of a magazine would be written inside quotation marks while the magazine title itself would be italicized. For example: I saw a great recipe I have to make for Thanksgiving in the "Food Finds" section of _Greater Living_.

i can make better websites than this trash

I'm writing a piece of fiction. Is this written correctly? John ran his finger across the names of four kings: ' The King of Great Armies,' ' The King of the Castle,' and ' The King of Nobles.' Sorry about spacing, but I'm typing this on phone. Anyway, the above are fictional Titles within a list within a piece of fiction.

Great article! Thank you. What about the name of a musical group or a popular festival/event?

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• Titles: When to Italicize, Underline, or Use Quota...
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When to Punctuate Titles in Italics or Quotes

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You may have wondered in the middle of typing up a research project : Do I italicize  a song title? What about a painting?​ Even the most experienced writers have a problem remembering the proper punctuation for certain types of titles. Books are italicized (or underlined) and articles are put in quotation marks. That's about as far as many people can remember.​

Many teachers require students to use Modern Language Association style for research papers and essays covering language arts, cultural studies, and the humanities . There is a trick to remembering how to treat titles in MLA style, and it works well enough that you can commit most types of titles to memory. It's the big and little trick.

Big Things vs. Little Things

Big things and things that can stand on their own, like books, are italicized. Little things that are dependent or that come as part of a group, like chapters, are put into quotation marks. Think of a CD or an album as a major (big) work that can be divided into smaller parts, or songs. The individual song names (small part) are punctuated with quotation marks .

For example:

• The Sweet Escape , by Gwen Stefani, includes the song "Wind It Up."

While this is not a perfect rule, it can be helpful for determining whether to italicize or surround an item in quotation marks when you have no resources at hand.

Furthermore, italicize or underline any published collection, like a book of poetry. Put the individual entry, like a poem, in quotation marks. However: a long, epic poem that is often published on its own would be treated like a book. The Odyssey is one example.

Punctuating Titles of Works of Art

Creating a work of art is an enormous task. For that reason, you can think of art as a big accomplishment. That might sound a bit corny, but it will help you remember. Individual works of art, like paintings and sculptures, are underlined or italicized:

• Michelangelo 's David
• The Last Supper

Note that a photograph—although not any less significant or important—is often much smaller than a work of created art, and is placed in quotation marks. Following are guidelines for punctuating titles according to MLA standards.

Titles and Names to Italicize

Works to put in italics include:

• A sculpture or statue
• A TV Series
• A cartoon series
• An encyclopedia
• A newspaper

Titles to Put Into Quotation Marks

When deciding how to handle smaller works, put quotation marks around:

• A short story
• A commercial
• An individual episode in a TV series (like "The Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld)
• A cartoon episode, like "Trouble With Dogs"
• A newspaper story

More Tips on Punctuating Titles

Some titles are merely capitalized and not given additional punctuation. These include:

• Religious works, like the Bible or the Koran
• How to Use Italics
• The Case of the Missing Italics
• Guidelines for Using Quotation Marks Correctly
• German Punctuation Zeichensetzung Punctuation Marks Part 1
• MLA Bibliography or Works Cited
• What Is a Citation?
• Turabian Style Guide With Examples
• An Introduction to Punctuation
• How to Write a Bibliography For a Science Fair Project
• Difference Between "Quote" and "Quotation": What Is the Right Word?
• Definition and Examples of Colons
• Learn the Correct Way to Use Quotation Marks in a Headline
• MLA Sample Pages
• Why, Commas Really Do Make A Difference
• 140 Key Copyediting Terms and What They Mean
• Internet Research for Lines of Poetry

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Titles in Essays (Italics or Quote Marks?)

4-minute read

• 26th February 2018

Formatting your own essay title is easy (just bung a Heading style on it). Unfortunately, the rules about formatting the titles of existing published works (e.g. a textbook or an article from a journal) are more complicated. Usually, though, it comes down to one question: italics or quote marks?

But most students will need to name a book, journal or website in an essay at some point, so it’s important to know how this works. To help you out, we’ve prepared this guide on when to use italics and when to use quote marks for titles.

When to Use Italics

Titles of longer works are usually italicised. A ‘longer work’ in this case is something presented as a standalone publication. Charles Dickens’ famous novel, for example, would be written as Great Expectations if it were named in an essay.

Other examples of longer works that should be italicised include:

• Books and book-length poems (e.g. ‘An analysis of The Wasteland shows…’)
• Journals, newspapers and magazines (e.g. ‘According to The Guardian …’)
• Websites and blogs (e.g. ‘The project was funded via Unbound …’)
• Films (e.g. ‘ Jaws broke several box-office records…’)
• TV series (e.g. ‘Many fans of The X-Files claim…’)
• Plays and other stage shows (e.g. ‘This production of Swan Lake is…’)
• Paintings and works of art (e.g. ‘The Mona Lisa is currently housed…’)
• Music albums (e.g. ‘The album Sticky Fingers was released in…’)

The key factor is that all of these are standalone products, not part of a greater whole. The main exceptions to this rule are holy texts, such as the Bible, which are not typically italicised.

Italics are also used for the names of particular vehicles in some cases, especially ships and spacecraft. For example, we might write about the space shuttle Enterprise or the HMS Beagle (note that the ‘HMS’ is not italicised, since this is an abbreviation).

When to Use Quote Marks

Quote marks , meanwhile, are usually saved for shorter works. These are often part of a larger publication, such as an article in a newspaper or a chapter in an edited book. For example, if we were to name a book and a chapter in one place we’d write:

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Hugh Wilder’s ‘Interpretive Cognitive Ethology’ was first published in Readings in Animal Cognition , edited by Marc Bekoff and Dale Jamieson.

As indicated by the italics, the book here is called Readings in Animal Cognition . ‘Interpretive Cognitive Ethology’, meanwhile, is an essay from the book, so we use quote marks for this title.

Cases where quotation marks are used for titles include:

• Chapters from books
• Articles in newspapers, magazines and journals
• Particular pages or articles from a website
• Individual poems and short stories
• Episodes from a TV show

It is also common to use quote marks for unpublished writing regardless of length. For example, if you were referring to an unfinished manuscript or a PhD dissertation, you would put the title in quote marks; but if these same documents were published, you would use italics.

Look Out for Exceptions!

The guidelines above will apply in most cases, but there are exceptions. The APA style guide, for example, recommends italicising book titles in the main text of an essay, but not in the reference list. As such, it is wise to check your style guide to see if it has specific advice on formatting titles.

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• When to Use Quotation Marks (“”) | Rules & Examples

When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples

Published on May 21, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 29, 2022 by Jack Caulfield.

Quotation marks (also known as quotes or inverted commas) are used to indicate direct speech and quotations.

In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source . This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews . The exception is when you use a block quote, which should be set off and indented without quotation marks.

Whenever you quote someone else’s words, use a signal phrase to introduce it and integrate the source into your own text. Don’t rely on quotations to make your point for you.

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Table of contents

Single vs. double quotation marks, quotes within quotes, punctuation following quotations, quotation marks for source titles, indirect quotation, scare quotes, frequently asked questions about quotation marks.

There are two types of quotation marks: ‘single’ and “double.” Which one to choose generally depends on whether you are using US or UK English . The US convention is to use double quotation marks, while the UK convention is usually to use single quotation marks.

Double quotation marks can also be acceptable in UK English, provided you are consistent throughout the text. APA Style requires double quotations.

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When your quotations are nested (i.e., a quote appears inside another quote), you should use the opposite style of quotation marks for the nested quotation.

US and UK English also differ on where to place punctuation within quotation marks.

• In US English,  commas and periods that follow a quote are placed within the quotation marks.
• In UK English, all punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks, except when they are part of the original quotation.

In all variants of English, a question mark appears inside the quotation marks when the person quoted was asking a question, but outside when it’s you asking the question.

• Smith asks, “How long can this situation continue?”
• How many participants reported their satisfaction as “high”?

Note that when you include a parenthetical citation after a quote, the punctuation mark always comes after the citation (except with block quotes ).

• Solis described the situation as “precarious” (2022, p. 16).

Some source titles (e.g., the title of a journal article) should be presented in quotation marks in your text. Others are italicized instead (or occasionally written in plain text).

The rules for how to format different source titles are largely the same across citation styles, though some details differ. The key principles apply in all the main styles:

• Use italics for sources that stand alone
• Use quotation marks for sources that are part of another source

Some examples are shown below, with the proper formatting:

• The Routledge Companion to Critical Theory [book]
• “Poststructuralism” [book chapter]
• Philosophy, Psychiatry & Psychology [journal]
• “What Is Personality Disorder?” [journal article]
• Friends [TV series]
• “The One Where Rachel Quits” [TV episode]

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Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said without using exactly the same words they did.

It’s a lot like paraphrasing , except that you’re only changing the words you need to in order to fit the statement into your new sentence grammatically. For example, changing the pronouns or the verb tense .

Indirect quotation is more common in everyday speech, but it can occur in academic writing too. When it does, keep in mind that you should only use quotation marks around words taken directly from the original speaker or author.

• One participant stated that “he found the exercises frustrating.”
• One participant stated that he found the exercises frustrating.
• One participant described the exercises as “frustrating.”

“Scare quotes” are quotation marks used around words that are not a direct quotation from a specific source. They are used to signal that a term is being used in an unusual or ironic way, that it is borrowed from someone else, or that the writer is skeptical about the term.

• Many politicians have blamed recent electoral trends on the rise of “fake news.”

While scare quotes have their uses in academic writing (e.g., when referring to controversial terms), they should only be used with good reason. Inappropriate use of scare quotes creates ambiguity.

• The institution organized a fundraiser in support of “underprivileged children.”
• Scientists argue that “global warming” is accelerating due to greenhouse gas emissions.
• The “Brexit” negotiations are still ongoing.

In these examples, the words within scare quotes are widely accepted terms with clear meanings that can’t be attributed to a specific person or source. Using quotation marks implies skepticism about the concepts in question.

The use of single and double quotation marks when quoting differs between US and UK English . In US English, you must use double quotation marks. Single quotation marks are used for quotes within quotes.

In UK English, it’s most common to use single quotation marks, with double quotation marks for quotes within quotes, although the other way around is acceptable too.

A quote is an exact copy of someone else’s words, usually enclosed in quotation marks and credited to the original author or speaker.

If you’re quoting from a text that paraphrases or summarizes other sources and cites them in parentheses , APA and Chicago both recommend retaining the citations as part of the quote. However, MLA recommends omitting citations within a quote:

• APA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic (Jones, 2015; Sill, 2019; Paulson, 2020) shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).
• MLA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).

Footnote or endnote numbers that appear within quoted text should be omitted in all styles.

If you want to cite an indirect source (one you’ve only seen quoted in another source), either locate the original source or use the phrase “as cited in” in your citation.

Quotes within quotes are punctuated differently to distinguish them from the surrounding quote .

• If you use double quotation marks for quotes, use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
• If you use single quotation marks for quotes (e.g., in UK English ), use double quotation marks for quotes within quotes.

Make sure to close both sets of quotes!

Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said (or wrote) but not using their exact words. It’s similar to paraphrasing , but it only involves changing enough words to fit the statement into your sentence grammatically (e.g., changing the tense or the pronouns ).

Since some of the words have changed, indirect quotations are not enclosed in quotation marks .

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

McCombes, S. (2022, November 29). When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/quotation-marks/

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015).  Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage  (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016).  Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Quoting or Italicizing Research Papers: What’s the Rule?

When it comes to citing research papers, there is often confusion as to the correct formatting of titles and whether they should be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks. This article will provide an overview of the rules for quoting or italicizing research paper titles, highlighting the differences between APA (American Psychological Association) style and MLA (Modern Language Association) style guidelines. We will discuss when quotes are needed, as well as how they differ from regular citations within a paper. Additionally, this article provides recommendations on best practices for ensuring accuracy throughout your research work.

I. Introduction to Quoting and Italicizing Research Papers

Ii. defining rules of grammar for quotations in academic writing, iii. benefits of using citations in research papers, iv. syntax considerations for directly citing sources within texts, v. punctuation guidelines when integrating quotes into sentences, vi. differentiating between italics and quotation marks when working with titles, vii. conclusion: employing appropriate techniques when utilizing citations.

When writing a research paper, it is important to properly cite and format references. This includes understanding how to correctly quote or italicize titles of academic sources.

The title of an article, journal entry, book chapter, or entire work should be placed in italics . For example: “Is Anxiety the New Normal?” An anthology of short stories could also be italicized (e.g., The Best American Short Stories). On the other hand, when citing individual contributions from within an anthology— such as essays or chapters— these should all be enclosed in quotation marks . Thus for this source we would write: “Can We Even Imagine Life Without Technology?”

Other materials may have both quotation marks and italics depending on their length; this applies mostly to longer works like books which can either receive full quotes around them e.g., “War and Peace” -or- they can simply have their name written in Italics e.g., War and Peace. While rules do exist about when each type of formatting should occur remember that ultimately you must follow your professor’s instructions as priority!

Grammar rules for quotations are a fundamental aspect of academic writing. This section will explain the necessary criteria and considerations when quoting within your work.

Quotations must always be used with utmost accuracy, as any misquotation or error in attribution can have severe implications on credibility and overall quality of research. It is therefore important to consider which type of quotation is most suitable for the context you’re using it in: direct quotes , where words from another source are reproduced verbatim; paraphrasing , where ideas from another source are reworded but still maintain original meaning; or even an indirect quote, which occurs when only part of the idea is being referred to without citing directly.

When including direct quotes into a sentence structure, they should always be enclosed by single quotation marks (‘ ‘). The citation should also include information about who said it (the speaker) and what publication (source) was quoted – though this may vary depending on your field’s citation conventions. On top of that, any changes made to direct quotes such as added emphasis or omission of certain words need to be explicitly marked off within brackets [ ] if there’s no risk readers might not recognize these alterations were done by someone other than yourself.

In terms of formatting itself – books titles & movie names should appear in italics whereas research papers would usually get placed inside double quotation marks (” “). Of course this could depend on some specific styling guidelines set out by a university department so best check those first before going ahead!

Accuracy and Validity

When citations are used in research papers, it allows for a higher level of accuracy. Sources can be easily verified as the researcher has provided details on where they have obtained their information from. This ensures that readers know exactly what resources were utilized in the making of the paper and helps them to understand any further context required to comprehend the argument being presented accurately. Furthermore, by giving credit where it is due, proper use of citations also acts as an assurance that ideas from other sources will not be plagiarized or misrepresented.

Recognition of Source Material Including appropriate citations provides acknowledgement and recognition for source material utilized within a paper. It encourages knowledge sharing between researchers and gives those who wrote previous works such as books or journals proper attribution for their contribution towards academics. Additionally, when quoting someone’s words directly within your essay, using quotations marks around these phrases is essential; however some style guides may require you to italicize research papers instead.

Comparing Citation Formats When citing sources in text, it is important to determine which citation format should be used. Depending on the type of source being cited (e.g., book, website) and the audience reading the document, one may opt for a more formal APA or MLA style of referencing versus a less-structured method such as Harvard Referencing. When citing published works from academic journals or research papers within text these are typically italicized , while webpages with no author attribution can often be referenced through direct quotes embedded into sentences using quotation marks. It is also important to take into consideration specific formatting requirements according to different platforms or outlets; articles written for publication in scholarly databases usually need strict adherence to certain protocols regarding punctuation use and capitalization rules when directly quoting sources within text sections.

In addition to writing standards set forth by an outlet’s submission guidelines, other elements that require attention include proper spacing around words contained inside quotation marks, accurate line breaks between citations without any additional characters added in order avoid confusion among readers unfamiliar with syntactic conventions related specifically to textual citing practices across multiple genres and disciplines. Any inconsistencies could result in discrepancies between original texts quoted verbatim from their authors and those appearing upon rereading once incorporated into new documents – potentially resulting lost meaning due further alterations beyond what was initially intended by writers whose work was originally consulted for inclusion during the composing process.

Integrating Quotations into Sentences

It is important to be mindful of punctuation when incorporating quotations into sentences. As a general rule, the sentence’s terminal punctuation should come before the citation. For example: He said “I will make sure it gets done.” In cases where there are parenthetical citations involved such as MLA or APA format, end punctuation should be placed outside of the parentheses following the quotation marks at all times.

Additionally, references to works such as books and research papers must be italicized in order for readers to clearly distinguish between quoted material and original writing. Therefore, according to MLA guidelines if you were citing something from a book called “The Unfinished Work” you would write It was apparent that his work had been left “unfinished” (Simmons). All titles which do not appear within quotation marks should also be italicized accordingly.

When citing titles of works, it’s important to know the difference between italicized and quoted words. Italics are used for longer works such as books or movies; quotation marks are typically reserved for shorter pieces, like articles or poems. For example: The Lord of the Rings should be written in italics, while a “Harry Potter” poem might appear within quotes.

It’s also essential to understand when research papers should be italicized vs. placed in quotations – which can get confusing! Generally speaking, journal articles and other short-form research papers will have their titles enclosed in quotation marks when mentioned outside of parentheses.

• For instance: “A Study on Hormones & Hair Growth”

However, any lengthy academic texts that involve chapters and multiple authors must use an appropriate level of formatting such as with italics (i.e., journals) or underlining (if writing by hand). Examples include:

• “Analyzing Ecological Impact Across Multiple Nations,” or even entire textbooks like The Definitive Guide To Physical Chemistry.

When it comes to citing sources in research papers, employing the right techniques can make a world of difference. The appropriate use of citations is essential for ensuring accuracy and integrity throughout your work. As such, when crafting any type of paper or presentation involving references from external works, be sure to utilize the following practices:

• Include In-text Citations – Whenever you reference ideas, facts or quotes taken from an outside source within the body of your text, always include an in-text citation that identifies where this information was found.
• Utilize Proper Formatting – When documenting what sources were consulted during research (known as ‘Works Cited’), adhere to accepted formatting guidelines which may vary depending on style requirements.

For example if using MLA format conventions then all titles should be not quoted . Additionally full bibliographic information must accompany each entry including author name(s), title & edition date among other data points. Similarly with APA referencing rules one would write out journal titles in full rather than abbreviate them while certain pieces such as newspapers need special attention too.

To ensure everything flows smoothly double check all entries against their respective style guides prior to submission – correctness here will go a long way towards getting top marks!

In conclusion, this article has provided a comprehensive overview of the rules and conventions associated with quoting or italicizing research papers. As we have seen, there is no single “correct” answer to the question; instead, various style guides provide guidance on how best to cite sources in academic writing. Ultimately, it is important for authors to be consistent when citing their sources so that readers can easily locate original source materials should they wish. While these guidelines may seem complex at first glance, with some practice they become second nature and help contribute towards creating an effective and well-referenced work of scholarship.

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Course: Grammar   >   Unit 7

• Italics and underlining
• Using quotation marks in titles

Italics, underlines, and quotation marks

• Parentheses
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• (Choice A)   novel A novel
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Italics and Underlining

Italics and underlining are like flashers on road signs. They make you take notice. Italics and underlining can be used interchangeably, although usually underlining is used when something is either handwritten or typed; if using a computer you can italicize. If you start using italics, don't switch to underlining within the same document.

Italics or underlining are used most often: for titles of longer works: books, magazines, newspapers, films, TV shows, a complete symphony, plays, long poems, albums:

Albert Borgmann's book, Crossing the Postmodern Divide

the TV show Frasier

the film It Happened One Night

the magazine Adirondack Life

the Beatles album Abbey Road

Italics or underlining are also used for titles of paintings, sculptures, ships, trains, aircraft, and spacecraft:

Van Gogh's painting Starry Night

Daniel Chester French's sculpture The Spirit of Life

U.S.S. Saratoga

Tip: Shorter works, such a book chapters, articles, sections of newspapers, short stories, poems, songs, and TV episodes are placed in quotation marks .

Neither italics nor quotation marks are used with titles of major religious texts, books of the Bible, or classic legal documents:

the Bible, the Pentateuch, the Koran, the Declaration of Independence

Use italics or underlining when using words from another language:

Yggdrasil avatar Yahweh sabra

Tip: Many foreign words have become absorbed into our language and should not be italicized or underlined.  When in doubt, consult the dictionary. Also, common Latin abbreviations should not be italicized or underlined:

etc.  i.e.   p.s.   viz.

Use italics or underlining to emphasize, stress, or clarify a word or letter in a sentence or when using a word as a linguistic symbol rather than for its meaning:

It was the first time I felt appreciated by my children.

I asked you to articulate your findings, not create a flow chart.

He claimed his data to be accurate, but accurate is a word he often interprets loosely. 

My daughter's report card showed five B's , two B+'s, and one glorious A .

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Do You Underline or Quote Book Titles in Writing? Expert Recommendations

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Book Titles in Writing: Understanding the Basics

Expert recommendations: underlining vs. quoting, why underlining book titles is becoming outdated, the power of quotation marks: emphasizing book titles, consistency is key: choosing a style guide for book titles, expert advice: the modern approach to book title formatting, clarifying exceptions: titles within titles, final thoughts: making informed decisions on book title formatting, frequently asked questions, the way forward.

When it comes to writing a book, the title is everything. It is the first thing that catches a reader’s eye and can make or break their decision to pick up your work. However, coming up with a captivating book title is not an easy feat. Here are some key aspects to consider when understanding the basics of book title writing:

• Relevance: A good book title should accurately reflect the essence of your story. It should provide a glimpse into the themes, characters, or plot without giving too much away. You want to engage potential readers by conveying the book’s purpose while leaving them curious and eager to explore further.
• Memorability: A memorable book title can make your work stand out among the sea of other publications. It should be unique, easy to remember, and have a certain rhythm or cadence that resonates with readers. Consider using alliteration, rhymes, or even evocative metaphors to leave a lasting impression.
• Descriptive Language: Think about using vivid words and phrases that invoke powerful imagery when crafting your book title. By doing so, you can evoke an emotional response in potential readers, sparking their curiosity and enticing them to delve into your story.

Remember, your book title is your first opportunity to grab the attention of your audience. Take the time to brainstorm, experiment with different ideas, and seek feedback from others. By understanding the basics of book title writing, you can increase the chances of your work being noticed and remembered long after it’s been placed on the shelf.

There has been a long-standing debate among experts regarding the use of underlining or quoting in written content. Both techniques serve different purposes, and understanding their nuances can help you make an informed decision when styling your text.

Underlining is often used to draw attention to specific words or phrases, making them stand out from the rest of the text. It is commonly employed in academic writing to highlight book titles, foreign words, or key points. However, in the world of digital content, underlining can create confusion as internet users are accustomed to associating underlined text with hyperlinks. Therefore, it is advised to use underlining sparingly in online articles or blog posts to avoid misleading readers who might expect additional information upon clicking.

On the other hand, quoting is an effective way to incorporate external sources or emphasize direct speech. By enclosing the quoted text within quotation marks, you acknowledge the original author’s work and add credibility to your own content. Quoting is particularly useful when referring to statistics, research findings, or expert opinions, as it allows readers to easily identify the boundaries between your words and the borrowed information. However, it is important to be mindful of the length of your quotes; excessively lengthy quotes can disrupt the flow of your writing and make it harder for readers to follow your arguments. As a general rule, try to keep quotes concise and impactful.

In today’s fast-paced digital world , the practice of underlining book titles is gradually fading away. With the emergence of modern writing styles and technologies, it’s becoming increasingly clear that underlining might not be the most efficient or effective way to emphasize book titles. Here are a few reasons why this traditional method is becoming outdated:

• Consistency: Underlining book titles can lead to inconsistencies in formatting. With the rise of e-books and digital media, it has become common to use italics instead of underlining. This inconsistency can create confusion for readers who are accustomed to one style over the other.
• Visual Clutter: Underlining book titles can make a text appear cluttered and visually overwhelming. In an era where simplicity and readability are valued, the use of underlining can distract readers from the content itself. Utilizing italics is a more subtle and aesthetically pleasing way to distinguish a book title.
• Accessibility: Underlined text can pose challenges for individuals with visual impairments. Screen readers, which assist visually impaired readers in accessing written content, often cannot differentiate between underlined and regular text. By utilizing italics or bold instead, we can ensure better accessibility for all readers.

As the world of literature evolves, it’s crucial for writers and publishers to adapt to new styles and technologies. Although underlining book titles has been a common practice for generations, the time has come to embrace new methods that offer consistency, visual simplicity, and accessibility. By incorporating italics or bold, we can enhance the reading experience while keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of written work.

In the world of literature, quotation marks wield a remarkable power when it comes to emphasizing book titles. They serve as the key to unlocking the significance and prominence of a particular literary work. When used correctly, quotation marks can instantly capture a reader’s attention and elevate the status of a book.

One of the primary functions of quotation marks is to distinguish book titles from the surrounding text. By enclosing the title within these humble punctuation marks, a book stands out, demanding to be noticed amidst a sea of words. Readers can easily identify the title and differentiate it from the rest of the sentence, allowing for a seamless flow of information. So, the next time you’re writing an article or blog post, ensure you utilize quotation marks to give due credit and spotlight the masterpieces that have graced the literary world.

Moreover, beyond their mechanical function, quotation marks also convey a sense of reverence and respect for the written word. When we enclose a book title within these humble symbols, we are acknowledging the significance and impact of that particular work. It almost becomes a subtle nod of admiration, an appreciative gesture towards the author’s creativity and craftsmanship. By employing quotation marks, we pay tribute to the profound influence that books can have on our lives, and we invite others to experience the magic held within their pages. So, embrace the power of quotation marks, and let them work their magic to emphasize the rich tapestry of stories and ideas that lie within the captivating world of literature.

When it comes to choosing a style guide for book titles, one important factor to consider is consistency. Consistency not only enhances the overall professional look of your book, but also helps create a sense of coherence for your readers. By following a specific style guide, you ensure that all your book titles follow the same formatting rules, making it easier for readers to navigate and understand your work.

So how do you choose the right style guide for your book titles? Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Research different style guides: Take the time to explore popular style guides such as The Chicago Manual of Style, The Associated Press Stylebook, and The Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook. Each guide has its own set of rules and conventions, so it’s crucial to find the one that aligns with the genre and purpose of your book.
• Consider your target audience: Think about who will be reading your book and what they are accustomed to. If you’re writing an academic or scholarly book, you might lean towards MLA or APA style. On the other hand, for a more casual or general audience, AP style could be a better fit.

In today’s digital age, it is crucial for authors to understand the modern approach to book title formatting. With countless titles competing for attention, a well-formatted book title can make all the difference in grabbing a reader’s interest. Here are some expert tips and advice that can help you create captivating book titles that stand out from the crowd:

1. Length Matters: Keep your book title concise and to the point. Long, convoluted titles can often be confusing and may fail to resonate with your target audience. Aim for a title that is no more than 5-7 words, capturing the essence of your book in a succinct manner.

2. Grab Attention with Keywords: In this era of online discovery, search engines play a significant role in guiding readers towards their next reads. Include relevant keywords in your book title that reflect the genre, theme, or unique selling point of your work. Keywords can help your book title appear in relevant searches and attract the right audience.

3. Utilize Impactful Typography: Give your book title a visual edge by using bold and eye-catching typography. Experiment with different fonts, sizes, and styles to capture the essence of your book and create an instant impact. The right typography can help convey the tone and mood of your book, making it more visually appealing and enticing to potential readers.

4. Embrace Subtitles: If your book covers a complex topic or has multiple storylines, consider incorporating a subtitle. A well-crafted subtitle can provide additional context and intrigue, helping readers better understand what your book has to offer.

When it comes to titles within titles, there are a few exceptions that need to be clarified. It is crucial to understand these exceptions to ensure proper formatting and readability. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. **No quotation marks for titles within titles**: Unlike regular titles, titles within titles should not be enclosed in quotation marks. This includes book titles, movie titles, song titles, etc., that are referenced within a larger title. For example, if you’re writing an article titled “Exploring the Influence of Shakespeare’s Hamlet on Modern Literature,” you would not use quotation marks around “Hamlet.”

2. **Capitalization in titles within titles**: When it comes to capitalizing words in titles within titles, it is standard practice to capitalize the first and last words, as well as all major words. However, articles (such as “a,” “an,” and “the”), coordinating conjunctions (such as “and,” “but,” “or”), and prepositions (such as “of,” “in,” “to”) are typically not capitalized unless they are the first or last word in the title within the title. For instance, in the title “Discovering the Magic: The Enchanted World of Harry Potter,” you would capitalize “Discovering,” “Magic,” “Enchanted,” “World,” and “Harry Potter,” but not “the,” “of,” and “the” since they are minor words.

Understanding these exceptions will help you maintain consistency and professionalism in your writing. Remember to double-check the guidelines of specific style guides or publications you may be working with, as they may have their own set of rules regarding titles within titles.

In conclusion, when it comes to choosing the right format for your book title, it is essential to make informed decisions. The way your title appears can significantly impact its effectiveness in catching the attention of potential readers. By following a few key guidelines, you can ensure that your book title stands out and conveys its intended message.

Firstly, consider the font style and size for your title. Select a font that aligns with the genre and tone of your book. For example, a thrilling suspense novel may benefit from a bold, dramatic font, while a self-help book may call for a clean, professional font. Furthermore, make sure that the title is large enough to be easily legible, especially when displayed on online platforms or in thumbnail images.

Next, pay attention to the capitalization of your title. It is generally recommended to capitalize the first and last words, as well as important words within the title. However, avoid capitalizing every word unless it is a stylistic choice. This helps maintain readability and prevents the title from appearing overly cluttered. Remember that consistency is key; make sure to apply the same capitalization style throughout your book, from the cover to the interior pages.

In addition to font and capitalization, don’t forget about the use of punctuation and special characters. While some titles may benefit from the use of a colon or an exclamation mark to create intrigue or highlight a pivotal element, others may be better served by a more straightforward approach. Consider your target audience and the overall tone of your book when deciding whether to include these elements.

Overall, making informed decisions on book title formatting can greatly enhance the overall presentation and impact of your work. By carefully considering font style, size, capitalization, and punctuation, you can ensure that your book title captures potential readers’ attention and accurately represents the essence of your literary masterpiece. Remember, a well-crafted title is the gateway to enticing readers into the world you have created, so take the time to polish it to perfection!

Q: Why is it important to correctly format book titles in writing? A: Correctly formatting book titles is important for several reasons. First, it helps to maintain consistency and professionalism in your writing. Additionally, it demonstrates your understanding of grammar and proper punctuation rules. Finally, accurately formatting book titles helps to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings for your readers.

Q: Do you underline book titles or put them in quotes? A: According to expert recommendations, it is generally preferred to italicize or underline book titles when writing. However, if you are writing by hand or are unable to italicize, using quotation marks is an acceptable alternative. The important thing is to choose one format and stick to it consistently throughout your writing.

Q: How can I remember which titles should be italicized or underlined? A: While it can be confusing at times, there are some common guidelines to follow. For example, books, newspapers, and magazines should always be italicized or underlined. On the other hand, shorter works such as articles, poems, and short stories should appear in quotation marks. If you are still unsure, consulting a reliable style guide or grammar resource can provide you with more specific rules and examples.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the underlining/italicizing rule? A: Yes, there are a few exceptions. For instance, when referring to a specific book within a larger anthology or collection, you should put the title of the book in quotation marks instead of italicizing or underlining it. Additionally, when mentioning a title in text, such as in a sentence, you should use the same formatting as you would for any other title (italicize or underline).

Q: Can you provide an example to illustrate the correct formatting of book titles? A: Certainly! Let’s say we are discussing “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. In a sentence, the correct format would be: I recently finished reading Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.” If you were writing it out by hand, you could underline instead or use quotation marks. In a bibliography or reference list, you would typically italicize the title: Lee, Harper. “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when formatting book titles? A: One common mistake is to capitalize every word in a title, even if it is a preposition or conjunction. According to style guides, only the first and last words, as well as any important words, should be capitalized. Another mistake is to forget punctuation when including a book title within a sentence. Always remember to include the appropriate punctuation marks, such as periods, question marks, or exclamation marks, within or after the title.

Q: Can the formatting of book titles vary between different writing styles or disciplines? A: Yes, the formatting of book titles can indeed vary depending on the writing style, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago Manual of Style, as well as the specific discipline. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the appropriate style guide that is relevant to your field of study or the requirements of your publishing platform, as they may have specific guidelines for formatting titles that differ slightly from general recommendations.

Q: Are there any other instances where it is necessary to format the title of a work? A: Yes, in addition to books, it is important to correctly format the titles of other works such as movies, TV shows, plays, albums, and even video games. Each type of work may have slightly different formatting rules, so it is essential to refer to the appropriate style guide or grammar resource for specific guidelines.

Q: Where can I find reliable resources or style guides to help me format book titles correctly ? A: There are several trustworthy style guides available online or in print that provide detailed information on formatting book titles. Some popular options include the Chicago Manual of Style, the Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook, and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). Additionally, many universities and libraries offer online guides or tutorials on proper formatting, which can be accessed for free.

In conclusion, following expert recommendations, it is advised to use italics or quotation marks to indicate book titles in writing.

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Short Stories: When to Italicize and When to Use Quotation Marks

General guidelines, italicizing titles, using quotation marks, exceptions to the rule, short stories in anthologies, the best american short stories, the penguin book of short stories, the art of the short story, short stories in magazines, the new yorker, the atlantic, harper's magazine, short stories online, literary hub, electric literature, the paris review, final thoughts, consistency is key, editing and proofreading, seeking advice.

Whether you're a writer, editor, or an avid reader, knowing how to properly format short story titles can be quite helpful. Are short stories italicized or should they be put in quotation marks? In this blog, we'll provide a clear guide on when to italicize short story titles and when to use quotation marks, as well as some specific examples to help you better understand the rules.

Here are some general guidelines to follow when deciding whether to italicize or use quotation marks for short story titles:

Typically, longer works like books, plays, and movies are italicized. This also applies to collections of short stories, essays, or poems. So, if you're referencing an anthology that contains multiple short stories, you would italicize the title of the collection, but not the individual short stories within it.

Shorter works, such as individual short stories, poems, or essays, are usually placed within quotation marks. This helps distinguish them from the larger works they may be a part of, like an anthology or a magazine. So, if you were discussing a specific short story within a collection, you would put the title of the short story in quotation marks.

There are some exceptions to these general guidelines. For instance, if you're discussing a short story that is published on its own—meaning it isn't part of a larger collection or magazine—then it can be italicized. This is especially true if the short story has gained significant recognition or has been published as a standalone work.

Now that we've covered the general guidelines, let's take a look at how these rules apply to some specific examples of short stories in anthologies, magazines, and online publications.

Anthologies are collections of short stories, essays, or poems by various authors. When discussing the entire anthology, you would italicize the title. However, when referencing individual short stories within the anthology, you'll use quotation marks. Here are some popular anthologies and how to format their titles.

The Best American Short Stories is an annual anthology that features a collection of the top short stories published in American literary magazines and journals. In this case, you would italicize the title of the anthology. However, when discussing a specific short story within the anthology, you would use quotation marks, like this: "A Particular Short Story" from The Best American Short Stories .

The Penguin Book of Short Stories is another popular anthology featuring works from renowned authors. Similar to the previous example, you would italicize the title of the collection, but use quotation marks when discussing individual stories: "Another Unique Short Story" in The Penguin Book of Short Stories .

The Art of the Short Story is a collection that not only includes short stories but also essays about the art of writing short stories. When referencing the anthology as a whole, italicize the title. When discussing individual short stories or essays within the collection, place their titles within quotation marks: "A Fascinating Short Story" or "An Insightful Essay" from The Art of the Short Story .

These examples demonstrate how to properly format short story titles within anthologies, but what about short stories published in magazines or online? Let's explore those next.

Short stories are often published in magazines, which can lead to some confusion about how to format their titles. The general rule is to italicize the magazine title, while placing the short story title within quotation marks. Let's look at some examples from popular magazines that publish short stories.

The New Yorker is a well-known magazine that has published countless short stories throughout the years. When referencing a short story published in The New Yorker , you would format the title like this: "An Intriguing Short Story" from The New Yorker . Remember to use quotation marks for the story title and italicize the magazine title.

Another magazine known for publishing short stories is The Atlantic . Just like with The New Yorker , you would italicize the magazine title and use quotation marks for the short story title: "A Fantastic Short Story" in The Atlantic .

Harper's Magazine is another publication that often features short stories. Apply the same formatting rule as the previous examples: "An Engaging Short Story" from Harper's Magazine .

With these examples in mind, you should now have a better understanding of how to format short story titles in magazines. But what about short stories published online? Let's dive into that next.

As the world becomes more digital, short stories are increasingly being published online. Formatting rules for online short stories are quite similar to those found in magazines. Let's explore some popular online platforms that feature short stories and how to format their titles.

Literary Hub is a popular online platform for readers and writers, featuring a vast collection of short stories. When referencing a short story published on Literary Hub , you would format the title as follows: "An Amazing Short Story" from Literary Hub . Just like with magazines, use quotation marks for the short story title and italicize the website title.

Electric Literature is another online platform known for publishing short stories. Apply the same formatting rules as mentioned before: "A Captivating Short Story" on Electric Literature .

Although The Paris Review is a print magazine, it also has an online presence where short stories are published. The formatting is consistent with other examples: "An Entertaining Short Story" from The Paris Review online.

To sum up, when formatting short story titles published online, use quotation marks for the story title and italicize the website or online publication title. Now that we have covered various publication formats, let's wrap up with some final thoughts.

Properly formatting short story titles can be a bit tricky, but with these guidelines, you'll have no problem navigating the world of short stories. Let's review some key takeaways:

No matter where you encounter short stories—be it anthologies, magazines, or online publications—consistency in formatting is crucial. Remember to use quotation marks for the short story title and italicize the larger work it appears in. For example: "A Short Story" in An Anthology or "A Short Story" on A Website .

Always double-check your work to ensure you've followed the formatting rules. It's easy to miss small errors, so proofreading is an essential step. Don't forget that you can use tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word's built-in grammar checker to help you catch any mistakes.

When in doubt, don't hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to your teachers, professors, or fellow writers for guidance on short story formatting. Additionally, you can consult style guides like the MLA Handbook or the Chicago Manual of Style for further information.

By following these guidelines and consistently applying the rules, you'll be able to answer the question "are short stories italicized" with confidence. Happy writing!

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The Interpreter

Israel bombed an iranian embassy complex. is that allowed.

Israel can likely argue that its actions did not violate international law’s protections for diplomatic missions, experts say.

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By Amanda Taub

Reporting from London

On Monday, Israel bombed a building that was part of the Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, killing seven people, including Gen. Mohamad Reza Zahedi, who oversaw Iran’s covert military operations in Syria and Lebanon, and two other senior generals.

For centuries, diplomatic premises have been afforded special protections. Diplomats get immunity from prosecution in their host country, and embassy buildings are often viewed as a sanctuary for their nation’s citizens — they cannot be entered by the host country’s police without the permission of diplomatic staff, and often become refuges for expatriates in times of war.

So attacks on diplomatic compounds carry particular weight, both in law and in the popular imagination. But in this case, experts say, Israel can likely argue that its actions did not violate international law’s protections for diplomatic missions. Here’s why.

The embassy complex was not on Israeli soil.

Diplomatic buildings are entitled to broad protections from attack or other interference by the host country under international customary law, codified in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Convention on Consular Relations .

Article 22 of the Convention on Diplomatic Relations states:

“The premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving State may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission. The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.”

Those protections remain in force even if the embassy is used for criminal or military purposes. The receiving state can break off diplomatic relations, or revoke the diplomatic immunity of specific individuals and eject them from the country, but it must still “respect and protect” the embassy buildings and their contents even after the mission has closed.

Consulate premises are likewise inviolable under Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. In a particularly shocking example of how that can play out, after the journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Turkey in 2018, Turkish officials had to wait for days before they were finally given permission to enter.

But while those rules of diplomatic relations are a bedrock principle of international law, they actually have little force in the case of the Damascus bombing, experts say, because they only refer to the responsibilities of the “receiving State” — in this case, Syria — and say nothing about attacks by a third state on foreign territory.

“Israel is a third state and is not bound by the law of diplomatic relations with regard to Iran’s Embassy in Syria,” said Aurel Sari, a professor of international law at Exeter University in the United Kingdom.

Receiving states do have an obligation to protect embassies from attack, Sari said, which theoretically would mean that Syria had an obligation to protect the Iranian Embassy if it could. However, it is not clear what protective steps it could have taken in this case.

In practice, there is a strong taboo in international relations against attacking embassies, said Marko Milanovic, a professor of public international law at Reading University in the United Kingdom. But that custom is broader than what international law actually prohibits, he said.

“Symbolically, for Iran, destroying its embassy or consulate, it’s just seen as a bigger blow,” he said, than “if you killed the generals in a trench somewhere.” But, he added, “the difference is not legal. The difference is really one of symbolism, of perception.”

Could an attack on embassy grounds violate international law in other ways?

“Embassies are protected from use of force in an armed conflict, not primarily because they are embassies but because they are civilian objects,” said Yuval Shany, an international law professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. “Therefore, in principle, it is not permissible to target an embassy in the same way it’s not permissible to target a school.”

An embassy can lose those protections, however, if it is used for a military purpose, as is true of schools, homes, and other civilian buildings during wartime. That would first be a threshold question about whether the conflict itself is legal: International law generally prohibits the use of force against another sovereign state, except in self-defense.

An Israeli military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari did not confirm or deny Israel’s role in the attack but told CNN that the strike had targeted “a military building of Quds Forces disguised as a civilian building in Damascus.”

A member of the Revolutionary Guards, which oversee the Quds Force, told the Times that the strike on Monday had targeted a meeting in which Iranian intelligence officials and Palestinian militants were discussing the war in Gaza. Among them were leaders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a group armed and funded by Iran.

Iran has long blurred the lines between its diplomatic missions and its military operations in the Middle East. It selects its ambassadors to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen — countries that make up the “axis of resistance” — from the commanders of the Quds Forces, the external branch of the Revolutionary Guards Corps, rather than its career diplomats. In 2021, Mohammad Javad Zarif, then Iran’s foreign minister, said in a leaked recording that Iran’s foreign policy in the region is determined by its field military operations and not traditional diplomacy set by the foreign ministry.

If the strike targeted individuals engaged in military operations against Israel, including through a proxy armed group, that would likely mean that the building was a legitimate military target, Shany said.

Israel has been engaged in a yearslong shadow war with Iran that has included multiple assassinations of Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists.

Iran also arms and funds Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia, which has been bombing northern Israel , and that also has a presence in Syria.

International law would still require an attack to be proportional: the expected military gain would have to outweigh the harm to civilians and civilian objects, including buildings. Iran’s ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, told state television that no civilians were killed in the attack on Monday.

Where does this leave Syria?

In this case, Israel used force against two states: Iran, whose embassy compound and generals were targeted, and Syria, the country in which the embassy was located.

“An Israeli airstrike carried out within Syria without its consent would be in contravention of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits a state from using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other state,” said Sari, the professor at Exeter. “Unless Israel were able to justify any airstrike as an act of self-defense, it would be in violation of international law.”

There is debate among legal experts about how and when the law of self-defense can justify attacks on the territory of third countries, Shany said. “ It is a question in international law, to what extent you could actually globalize your campaign and actually take it to the territory of third countries,” he said. “To some extent, the global war on terror raised similar issues. To what extent can you target military assets in third countries?”

Farnaz Fassihi contributed reporting.

Amanda Taub writes the Interpreter , an explanatory column and newsletter about world events. She is based in London. More about Amanda Taub

Amazon-backed humanoid firm Agility Robotics laid off a 'small number' of staff

• Agility Robotics said it laid off a "small number" of employees on Wednesday.
• Amazon, which has invested in the company, is testing its robot in a research facility.
• Agility plans to open a new factory in Oregon later this year to mass-produce its Digit robot.

Agility Robotics reduced the size of its workforce on Wednesday.

The company told Business Insider that the job cuts affected a "small number" of employees.

"As part of Agility's ongoing efforts to structure the company for success, we have parted ways with a small number of employees that were not central to core product development and commercialization," a spokesperson said.

Amazon is testing its Agility's Digit robots in a research and development facility near Seattle. The tech giant has previously funded Agility as part of its first round of investments through its $1 billion Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund.

An electrical engineer at the humanoid robotics firm shared in posts on LinkedIn and X that he was "one of the many laid off" at the company.

He added that he was "surprised at the timing" because he'd only just been moved from the support engineering team to the electrical engineering team last year.

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Chief people officer Lisa Haugh commented on the LinkedIn post, saying she was "sorry" that he was "a part of the small group impacted" by the layoffs. It's not clear exactly how many employees Agility has or how many jobs were cut.

The job cuts underline the difficulty some robotics firms have with funding their activities even with the backing of tech giants, as Crunchbase has reported .

Agility also told BI that along with cutting jobs, it's also focused on meeting the "extraordinary demand for bipedal robots across industrial use cases."

"That means ramping up production of Digit while continuing to win top-tier global customers, and adding new roles that meet these goals. We believe today's actions will allow us to focus on the areas that drive productization, commercialization, and production of Digit."

The two-legged Digit can lift and move items in warehouses and distribution centers.

The company announced last month that it appointed a new CEO, Peggy Johnson, as it prepares to open a factory in Oregon later this year to start mass-producing robots.

Johnson previously told BI that it will churn out "hundreds" of its Digit robots in 2025 and then "ramp up capacity to thousands" in the years that follow.

It's been touted by the firm as a way to potentially help ease the labor shortage in the manufacturing industry, as data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected there will be about one million openings for laborers and material movers over the next decade.

Watch: Meet the Amazon warehouse workers paying the price for fast, free shipping

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Israel says airstrike unintentionally killed aid workers in Gaza, allies demand explanations

• Seven worked for celebrity chef Jose Andres' WCK charity
• WCK convoy hit despite having coordinated movements with Israel
• Dead included Palestinians, citizens of UK, Australia, Poland
• World Central Kitchen says attack is 'unforgivable'
• US 'outraged', wants swift, impartial probe into attack

INCREASING ISRAELI ISOLATION

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Slavery tribunal? Africa and Caribbean unite on reparations

Support is building among Africa and Caribbean nations for the creation of an international tribunal on atrocities dating to the transatlantic trade of enslaved people, with the United States backing a U.N. panel at the heart of the effort.