should titles of essays be italicized

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MLA Style Guide Eighth Edition

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Title of Source. The title is usually taken from an authoritative location in the source such as the title page. It is the name of the source you are using. Capitalize the following parts of speech in a title: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, subordinating conjunctions (although, because, unless, after, until, when, where, while, etc.). Do not capitalize articles, prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, the "to" in infinitives if they appear in the middle of the title. A colon separates the title from the subtitle unless it ends in a question mark or exclamation. Titles should be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks. Titles that are independent and self-contained (e.g., books) and titles of containers (e.g., anthologies) should be italicized. Titles that are contained in larger works (e.g., short stories) should be in quotation s. Exceptions to the above rule are: 1) Scripture (Genesis, Bible, Gospels, Upanishads, Old Testament, Talmud, etc.) Titles of individualized scripture writings, however, should be italicized and treated like any other published work.(e.g. The Interlinear Bible) 2) Names of laws, acts and political documents (Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta, Treaty of Marseilles, etc.) 3) Musical compositions identified by form, number, and key (Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A, op. 92) 4) Series titles (Critical American Studies, Bollingen Series, etc.) 5) Conferences, seminars, workshops, and courses (MLA Annual Convention, English 110)

The title of the work follows the author and ends with a period . Mitchell, Margaret. Gone With the Wind . New York: Macmillan, 1961.

A sub-title is included after the main title . Joyce, Michael. Othermindedness: The Emergence of Network Culture. U of Michigan P, 2000. Baron, Sabrina Alcorn et al., editors. Agent of Change: Print Culture Studies after Elizabeth L. Eisenstein. U of               Massachusetts P /Center for the Book, Library of Congress, 2007.

The title of a story, poem or essay in a collection, as part of a larger whole, is placed in quotation marks . Dewar, James A., and Peng Hwa Ang. "The Cultural Consequences of Printing and the Internet." Agent of Change: Print             Culture Studies after Elizabeth L. Eisenstein. U of Massachusetts P /Center for the Book, Library of Congress,             2007, pp. 365-77. 

Independent work in a collection When a work that is normally independent (such as a novel or play) appears in a collection, the work's title remains in italics. Euripides. The Trojan Women . Ten Plays, translated by Paul Roche, New American Library, 1998, pp. 457-512.

The title of a periodical (journal, magazine, or newspaper) is in italics and the title of the article is in quotation marks. Goldman, Anne. "Questions of Transport: Reading Primo Levi Reading Dante." The Georgia Review, vol. 64, no. 1, 2010           pp. 69-88. Note: This rule applies to all media forms such as the title of a television series, an episode in a television series, a song or piece of music in an album, a posting or article on a web page. See examples below. Television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer . Created by Joss Whedon, performance by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mutant Enemy, 1997-2003. Episode in a television series "Hush." Buffy the Vampire Slayer , created by Joss Whedon, performance by Sarah           Michelle Gellar, season 4, episode 10, Mutant Enemy, 1997-2003. Web site Hollmichel, Stefanie. So Many Books . 2003-13, somanybooksbkog.com Note: When giving a URL, omit http and https. Posting of an article on a web site Hollmichel, Stefanie. "The Reading Brain: Differences Between Digital and Print."           So Many Books, 25 April 2013, somanybooksblog.com/2013/04/25/the-reading-brain-differences-between-digital-           and-print/. A song or piece of music in an album Beyonce. "Pretty Hurts." Beyonce , Parkwood Entertainment, 2013,           www.beyonce.com/album/beyonce/?media_view=songs.

Untitled Source In the place of the title, provide a generic description of the source without italics or quotation marks. Capitalize the first word in the title and any proper nouns in it. Mackintosh, Charles Rennie. Chair of Stained Oak. 1897-1900, Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Comment or review of a title in an online forum Jeane. Comment on "The Reading Brain: Differences Between Digital and Print." So Many Books, 25 Apr. 2013,            10:30 p.m., somanybooksblog.com/2013/04/25/the-reading-brain-differences-between-digital-and-            print/#comment-83030

Review of a title in an online forum Mackin, Joseph. Review of The Pleasures of Reading of an age of Distraction , by Alan Jacobs. New York Journal of Books, 2 June 2011, www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/            pleasures-reading-age-distraction.

Tweet Reproduce the full text without changing anything and enclose within quotation marks. @persiankiwi."We have report of large street battles in east and west of Tehran now. - #Iranelection." Twitter ,            23 June 2009, 11:15 a.m., twitter.com/persianwiki/status/2298106072.

E-mail message Use subject as the title. Subject is enclosed in quotation marks. Boyle, Anthony T. "Re: Utopia." Received by Daniel J. Cayhill, 21 June 1997.

Introduction, Preface, Foreword, or Afterword Capitalize the term in the works cited list but do not italicize or enclose in quotation marks. The term need not be capitalized in in-text discussion. Felstiner, John. Preface. Selected Poems and Prose of Paul Celan , by Paul Celan, translated by Felstiner              W.W. Norton, 2001, pp.xix-xxxvi.

Translations of Titles Place translations of titles for foreign works in square brackets in the works cited list. The translation appears next to the title.

Shortened titles The first time a title is mentioned in your work, it should appear in full. If the title is repeated in the work, it can be shortened to a familiar one (e.g., Skylark for Ode to a Skylark).

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When to Use Italics in Your Writing

• 6-minute read
• 24th November 2019

Of all the typographic styles, italicization may look the most dynamic. Perhaps it’s the way the words slant to the right, as if striding confidently to a business meeting. Or perhaps we’re overthinking this. The point is that italics are a useful, versatile part of writing. But when should you use them?

Key occasions for using italics include:

• To emphasize something.
• For titles of standalone works, such as books and movies.
• For vehicle names, such as ships.
• To show that a word is borrowed from another language.
• For the Latin “scientific” names of plant and animal species.

Let’s take a look at each of these to see how they work in practice.

Italics for Emphasis

Like bold fonts or underlining, italics are often used for emphasis . This means we can use italics to stress or draw attention to a particular word or phrase:

Italicization is the best way to emphasize something.

Here, italicizing best shows that we feel strongly about italics.

Generally, italics are the standard form of emphasis in academic writing. This is because they look more formal than bold formatting . However, always check your style guide if your university or employer has one, since some organizations have different rules about emphasizing text.

Italics in Place of Quote Marks

It would be unusual to italicize a full quote rather than placing it in quote marks. However, some people do use italics to set single words apart in the same way you might with quotes. For example:

Quote Marks: The word “italic” comes from a Greek word meaning “Italy.”

Italics: The word italic comes from a Greek word meaning Italy .

As with emphasis, if you are using a style guide, you may want to check whether it allows this. Otherwise, though, italics can be helpful if using too many quote marks makes your writing look cluttered.

When to Use Italics for Titles

Another common use of italicization is for titles. Not your own headings – you can italicize these, but that’s a matter of stylistic preference – but the titles of published works, such as books. For instance, if we mentioned a work by Charles Dickens in an essay, we would write it like this:

Queen Victoria read The Old Curiosity Shop in 1841.

By using italics, we set the title text apart from the rest of the sentence.

It’s not just books that you should do this for. Typically, the same applies for any self-contained media product or publication (i.e., something published by itself rather than as part of a collection). This includes the titles of:

• Books and book-length poems
• Academic journals (i.e., the journal title itself, not individual article titles)
• Magazines and newspapers
• Movies, radio programs, and TV shows
• Plays and other stage shows
• Music albums and other published audio recordings
• Paintings, statues, and other works of art

Titles of shorter works, by comparison, are often placed in quotation marks . However, the rules for presenting titles do vary between style guides.

Italicizing Vehicle Names

You can use italics for the names of individual vehicles, such as a ship or space rocket. For instance, we would italicize the following vehicle names:

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The sailors boarded the HMS Belfast in silence.

The Titanic sank during her maiden voyage.

Here, we italicize Belfast and Titanic because they’re the proper names of specific ships. We do not italicize the initials preceding names of ships (e.g., HMS, RMS, USS). In addition, you should only italicize the names of individual vehicles. If you’re writing the name of a brand or make of a vehicle (e.g., Ford Escort or Boeing 747), by comparison, you don’t need italics.

Italicizing Non-English Words

Make sure to italicize any non-English words you use in English-language writing. This shows the reader that the word was borrowed from another language. For instance, we could say:

In Germany, this feeling is known as Waldeinsamkeit .

The exact rules for when to italicize foreign words may vary depending on the style guide you check. For instance, most style guides make exceptions for words that are now fairly common in English even if they are still loanwords, so you would not usually need to italicize terms like “raison d’être.”

If in doubt, though, you can always check a good dictionary (e.g., the OED or Webster’s). Assuming you can find the word in the dictionary, it should be widely used enough in English to write without italics.

Italicizing Species Names

Binomial nomenclature (i.e., the Latin names given to plant and animal species) is usually italicized. For example, we could say:

Nobody wants Amorphophallus titanum growing in their garden.

As above, you should also capitalize the first word (i.e., the genus) in scientific plant and animal names, but not the second term (i.e., the species).

Other Uses for Italics

There are occasions when you may want to use italics not covered above. In fact, italics are useful for most situations where you need to make some part of a text distinct. One example comes from creative writing, where some people use italics to indicate an unspoken thought. For instance, we could use italics to show a character’s inner monologue:

Jeff sat silently in the doctor’s office. It wasn’t his usual doctor, so he was already nervous before the needle appeared.

“Don’t worry,” said the doctor. “It won’t hurt.”

Easy for you to say, Jeff thought. It’s not you at the sharp end of that thing. But he kept this to himself, instead uttering a meek “OK.”

However you use italics, though, there are two main rules to follow:

• Try not to use italics for too many different reasons in a single document. For instance, if you are writing something with a lot of titles and foreign words, you may want to find a different way of formatting emphasis.
• If you use italicized text for any part of a document, apply it consistently. So, for instance, if you’re using italics for loanwords in one part of an essay, you’ll want to do the same throughout the document.

And if you need anyone to check your use of italics in a document, our editors are here to help. Just submit your work for proofreading today.

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Formatting Titles

by Purdue Global Academic Success Center and Writing Center · Published October 2, 2020 · Updated November 5, 2020

Let’s face it: For whatever reason, formatting titles can be confusing, especially if you think about all the titles that need proper formatting–the title placed on the title page of a paper, the title of a journal article mentioned in the body of a paper, the title of a newspaper or a website on the list of references. There are titles of books and titles of chapters in those books; titles of blogs and titles of blog entries. Some titles are italicized and some are put in quotation marks. Titles on the list of references require formatting–some titles use title case, some sentence case; some titles are italicized and some are not. And then there are those situations where titles are used in in-text citations–some titles are truncated and italicized; some are put in quotation marks–you get the idea. 

First off, I am not going to address how to format titles when citing in the paper or listing on the list of references—those are formatting guidelines for another time. I am going to focus on titles on the title page, the first page of the paper, and within a paper. Here is what you need to keep straight:

Titles require special capitalization called title case. Title case requires one to

• capitalize the first letter of the first and last words of a title;
• capitalize the first letter of all verbs;
• capitalize all words of four or more letters;
• capitalize the first letter of all other words except a, an, the, short conjunctions such as “for, and, but,” and prepositions of fewer than four letters (words like “up, in, off”);
• capitalize the first letter of a word following a colon or dash;
• capitalize the first letter of a subtitle. 

When a title appears on the title page of an APA Style 7th edition student paper, that title should be centered, bolded, and in title case—no need to use all caps, no need to italicize or underline, and no need to use quotation marks or place a period at the end. 

Simply type out the title using title case and bold it–that’s it.

On the first page of the essay, center and repeat the title, bold it, and use title case. Again, do not use any special formatting. Do not use a bigger font size or style. Do not underline or italicize and so forth. Just use title case, bold, and center the title on the first page of the essay.

Easy enough, right?

Titles that appear within an essay require special formatting in addition to title case. If the title is for an article—content that is part of a greater whole—then the title should have quotation marks around it. If the title is for a book, journal, newspaper, or some other whole work, then the title is italicized.

Let’s say you have an article titled “The New Coffee Culture” that appears in the journal Studies in Popular Culture . Let’s also say that for whatever reason, you name both titles in the body of your paper. The article “The New Coffee Culture” appears in the journal Studies in Popular Culture , so the article is content that appears in a greater whole, right? 

Both titles would be in title case. The article “The New Coffee Culture” would have quotation marks around it, and the title of the journal, Studies in Popular Culture , would be italicized. 

I hope this blogcast clarifies exactly what you need to do when formatting titles in typical usage situations in APA style. 

Until next week–

Kurtis Clements

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When writing a paper, do I use italics for all titles?

Simply put: no .

APA's Publication Manual (2020) indicates that, in the body of your paper , you should use italics for the titles of:

• "books, reports, webpages, and other stand-alone works" (p. 170)
• periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers)

Beyond APA's specific examples, know that certain types of titles are almost always written in italics. 

A general rule of thumb is that within the text of a paper, italicize the title of complete works but put quotation marks around titles of parts within a complete work. 

The table below isn't comprehensive, but it's a good starting point

On an APA-style  reference page , the rules for titles are a little different.  In short, a title you would italicize within the body of a paper will also be italicized on a reference page.  However, a title you'd place in quotation marks within the body of the paper (such as the title of an article within a journal) will be written without italics and quotation marks on the references page.

Here are some examples:

Smith's (2001) research is fully described in the Journal of Higher Education.

Smith's (2001) article "College Admissions See Increase" was published in the Journal of Higher Education after his pivotal study on the admissions process.

Visit the APA Style's " Use of Italics " page to learn more!

• Reading and Writing
• Last Updated Jun 12, 2022
• Views 2144903
• Answered By Kate Anderson, Librarian

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Comments (8)

• Nice, quick, concise listing. Good format to save for quick reference by AlonzoQuixano on May 14, 2015
• Thank you so much for the information. It was so helpful and easily understandable. by mary woodard on Jun 29, 2015
• Is it the same for MLA writing? Thanks Sara, Librarian: Lesa, Rasmussen College doesn't teach or focus on MLA for students. But if you have specific MLA formatting questions, I recommend you take a look at the MLA FAQ website here: https://www.mla.org/MLA-Style/FAQ-about-MLA-Style by Lesa D.W on Dec 04, 2015
• What about the name of a community program, for example Friend's Read. Would you use quotations or italics? Sara, Librarian: Adriana, great question. for organization or program names in the text of a paper you don't need to use italics or quotation marks. Just capitalize the major words of the organization or program like you did above with Friend's Read. by Adriana on Apr 11, 2016
• Thank you for this posting. I am writing a paper on The Crucible and, surprisingly, I couldn't find on the wonderfully thorough Purdue Owl APA guide whether titles of plays are italicized or in quotes. by J.D. on Apr 18, 2016
• this was really helpful, thank you by natalie on Dec 11, 2016
• thank you so much, this is very helpful and easy to understand. by Mendryll on Jan 24, 2017
• Thank you! I am also wondering, do you capitalize only the first word of the title when using it in the text of your paper, like you are supposed to do in the references list? Or do you capitalize all the "important" words like usual? Sara, Librarian Reply: Ashley, within the text of your paper you should capitalize all the important words like you normally would. Thank you for your question! by Ashley on Dec 04, 2017

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Formatting Titles in Essays

2-minute read

• 8th May 2018

Handling your own headings is one thing, but how should you write the titles of other works? You need to mark them out somehow, and you have two standard options: italics or quote marks.

This is especially important in academic writing , as you’ll often have to discuss books and papers written by other people. Here, then, are some guidelines you should follow when formatting titles.

When to Use Italics

You can often spot a title from the capitalisation , but we still format titles to distinguish between different types of source. Titles of longer sources, for example, typically use italics:

Here, Kerrang! is italicised because it is the title of a magazine (i.e. a standalone work that is not one part of a larger whole). Other publications and productions that this applies to include:

• Academic journals
• Newspapers and magazines
• Websites and blogs
• Films and TV shows
• Radio programmes
• Plays and other stage shows
• Book-length poems
• Paintings and other works of art
• Music albums

The key here, then, is that italics are used for longer published works .

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When to Use Quote Marks

We use quote marks for the title of anything that doesn’t fit in the list above. Usually, this will be something that is part of a more substantial publication, such as an article from a magazine:

In this case, we see both the magazine title and an article title. Using italics on the former and quote marks on the latter makes it immediately obvious which is which. Other cases where quote marks are required include:

• Chapters from books
• Academic papers and journal articles
• Articles from newspapers and magazines
• Single pages from a website or posts from a blog
• Individual poems and short stories
• Single episodes of a TV series
• Single poems from a collection
• Songs and other short recordings

In this case, the key is that quote marks are used for shorter works . However, quote marks are also used for unpublished works regardless of length (e.g. a draft manuscript or a PhD dissertation).

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When to Use Italics: The Complete Guide

by Liz Bureman and Sue Weems | 0 comments

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We've covered italicization in song titles and album titles already , but let's look at a complete guide of when to use italics. 

What is italicization?

Italicization is the use of italics , a typeface that mimics cursive and leans or slants to the right.

Why use italics?

Italics are used to distinguish certain text from the rest for emphasis or sometimes contrast. As with all grammar and formatting conventions, italics should be used to make a message clearer to the audience.

When to use italics

In the English language, italics are usually used to set apart titles and names of specific kinds of objects or works.

Use italics for book titles and play titles

Titles of books are italicized, but you probably already knew that. Example: Gone Girl is still probably one of my favorite books that I read in 2014.

Other examples: The Crucible by Arthur Miller Sula by Toni Morrison

Use italics for magazine, newspaper, and periodical titles

All titles of newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and academic journals are italicized. Examples:

Magazine: The Atlantic Newspaper: The New York Times Professional periodicals: Publishers Weekly ; Library Journal Academic Journal: Journal of the American Medical Association , Harvard Business Review

Note: magazines, newspapers, professional periodicals, and academic journals all contain individual articles by different writers. Those article titles are indicated by the use of quotation marks .

Use italics for website titles

Website titles are italicized, and individual posts on websites are put in quotation marks, like articles.

For example: The Write Practice ran a series on writing short stories and the master article is called “ How to Write a Short Story ” by Sarah Gribble.

Other examples: Facebook Wikipedia

Use italics for television show titles

The names of TV shows are italicized, while the titles of each individual episode of a show are put in quotations.

Example: While all of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is amazing, my favorite episode is probably “Kimmy Goes to School!”

The Wire Game of Thrones

Use italics for movie titles

Movie titles are always italicized.

Examples: I saw Top Gun: Maverick last month for nostalgia's sake.

Everything Everywhere All at Once , starring Michelle Yeoh

Use italics for album titles

Album titles are always italicized. For example, while I will openly admit to loving Journey’s power ballad “Faithfully,” I think pretty much every song on their Greatest Hits album should be sung at karaoke nights across the country.

Other examples: Renaissance by Beyonce Harry's House by Harry Styles

Note: individual song titles are noted by quotation marks.

Use italics for works of art

All artwork titles use italics, from paintings to sculpture. Examples:

Sugar Shack by Ernie Barnes Black Iris by Georgia O'Keefe David by Michelangelo

Use italics for radio or podcast program titles

Radio and podcast programs take italics, while their individual episodes take quotation marks. Examples:

This American Life Fresh Air, National Public Radio On Being with Krista Tippett

Use italics for named vessels: ships, spacecraft, aircraft

Any named craft used for transportation will take italics.

Examples: USS America, Challenger, Pequod

Use italics for technical terms (sometimes)

In some academic texts, technical or new terms are often marked by italics the first time they are used in the paper. Check your assigned style guide (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc) to see how to indicate new terms.

Use italics for foreign words (sometimes)

Some style manuals (notably APA and Chicago) suggest using italics the first time an unfamiliar non-English word is used in a paper. This practice can vary depending on the publisher and the audience, so pay attention to any requirements.

It's okay to need to look up the rules for italicization. That's why we've published this handy guide!

How do you feel about your italicization skills? Do you always remember what titles to italicize and which to leave alone? Let us know in the comments section .

Put your italicization skills to the test. For fifteen minutes, write about one of the following:

• A serial killer who calls himself “The Reviewer” who murders his favorite actors, writers, and musicians.
• A detective hunting a serial killer who calls himself “The Reviewer.”

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Liz Bureman

Liz Bureman has a more-than-healthy interest in proper grammatical structure, accurate spelling, and the underappreciated semicolon. When she's not diagramming sentences and reading blogs about how terribly written the Twilight series is, she edits for the Write Practice, causes trouble in Denver, and plays guitar very slowly and poorly. You can follow her on Twitter (@epbure), where she tweets more about music of the mid-90s than writing.

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

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MLA Style: Basics

Formatting titles.

The second core element in bibliographic citations is the title of the source. Titles in English should be presented in title or headline case and either in quotation marks or italicized. End this core element with a period.

What do you mean 'either in quotation marks OR italicized'?

In general, the titles of longer works are italicized and the titles of shorter works are enclosed in quotation marks. [2.106] Books, movies, podcasts, musical albums, an journals are all italicized. Poems, YouTube videos, podcast episodes, song titles, and journal, newspaper and magazine articles are all enclosed in quotation marks.

Works without titles

If the work doesn't have a title, don't skip this element. Instead, write your own concise description of the source. Descriptions of works are not included in quotation marks. [5.28] Some untitled short works, like poems, use the first line as a title. In this case, include the first line as presented in the work and include it in quotation marks [5.29]

Shortening Titles

Very long titles can be shortened in your works cited list. Make sure you retain enough of the title for your reader to understand which source you're citing, and note that you've shortened the title with ellipses. The period or comma that ends the core element comes after these ellipses. [5.26]

What is title case?

Title or headline case is when you capitalize nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, subordinating conjunctions, and the first word of a title. Don't capitalize prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, the to in infinitives, or articles. [2.90]

What about titles in languages other than English?

Capitalize only the first letter of the first word of the title and words normally capitalized in prose. [2.91]

For additional guidance, consult the MLA handbook.

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• Next: Formatting Dates >>

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The general rule is to use italics on book titles, album titles and publication names for a web document or when you are using a word processing tool. If it is something handwritten you should underline it instead of using italics.

Longer works are italicized while shorter works like song titles or an article from a magazine are put in quotes and are not italicized.

Here are some italics examples:

Karlie Kloss to Relaunch Life Magazine at Bedford Media

NBF Expands National Book Awards Eligibility Criteria

Striking Writers and Actors March Together on Hollywood Streets

Vice Media Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Oprah Selects The Covenant of Water as 101st Book Club Pick

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Are Essay Titles Italicized? A Guide for APA and MLA Titles

• by Michael Smart
• January 16, 2024
• Custom Essay writing

Have you ever written an essay and then question yourself whether you have used italics appropriately in the titles? Is the use of italics something that worries you to the extent of avoiding them?

Well, you are not alone because many students do not fully understand how to apply them in their essays, particularly in the titles. 

This article will explain when to use italics in your essay and how to appropriately write them. However, before exploring this, it is important to note whether essay titles are italicized or not.

Are Essay Titles Italicized?

The answer to this question depends on the type of words in the title. Essay titles can be italicized. In case you have a title that includes names of vehicles, large works, television series, or movies, you should use italics when mentioning them.

Essay titles can be italicized if the words represent a literary work or are a quote that needs to be represented in italics. Essay titles can also be italicized if all the words or some of them represent certain non-English wordings that are not in the English dictionary.

Literary words are works of literature. Titles of plays, books, and other forms of works of art should also be italicized within the title to set them apart from the surrounding text. 

When writing an essay, you will be required by your instructor to format it academically in either APA or MLA since the two formats are the most commonly used.

Instances When to Italicize Titles in an Essay

1. when words need to be emphasized within the title.

As we have noted, italics are used to set a word or phrase apart from other text within the title.

When the word or phrase is set apart, it means that the reader will easily notice it and even prioritize its meaning compared to the rest of the words.

Therefore, if you have a word or words that need to be emphasized within the title of your essay, you can italicize them.

There are some words or phrases that you will include in your title and you wish your readers to take note of them.

They can be part of the essay’s keywords that you might explain from a different perspective to that of the readers.

However, it should be noted that emphasizing words using italics within the title is not commonly used in academic writing. 

2. When including Publication Names in your Title

Imagine you are writing an essay in which you are required to conduct an in-depth analysis of an article or case study within a publication.

In this case, you may need to include the name of the publication within your title to instantly communicate to the reader what the paper is all about. Such publication names include:

3. Standalone Works in the Essay Title

When you are including the title of a standalone work like complete plays and books, you should italicize them. Titles of sacred texts should also be italicized when they are included in the title of your essay. This is especially the case when analyzing the complete works in your essay.

For example, if your essay is analyzing a specific Harry Potter book, the title will appear like this: Elements of Style in  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows .

When it comes to places like Romeo and Juliet, your title will look like this: Elements of Style in  Romeo and Juliet .

For sacred or religious texts like the King James Version of the Bible, the title may appear like this: Understanding the Meaning from the Language used in  King James Bible . 

4. When Writing Titles of Creative Works

In case you are required or find yourself in a situation where you need to include the title of creative work in the title of your essay, you should italicize it. This should only include titles of standalone creative works. Such include: 

5. When Using Foreign and Unfamiliar Words

In case you have an essay title that requires you to include a foreign word, you should italicize it. The same case applies to words that you are not familiar with or words that are technical. 

6. When Referring to Legal Cases

When you are writing an essay that explores or analyzes a legal case, you should include the name of the case within the title of your essay to separate it from the rest of the text. For example, “Analyzing the Outcomes of the Case of  Brown v. Board of Education ”. 

How to Write Titles in an APA Essay?

Titles in an APA essay will utilize a unique system of headings that help in classifying and separating the different sections in your essay. They take levels. Note that the aforementioned instances of italicization will still apply on the different levels. 

The first level or the main topic of your APA essay will be centered, boldface, and with a title-case heading.

Remember to capitalize the first word, all the principle words, and the last word in the title.

Avoid capitalizing prepositions (“above”, “on”, “to”, “below”, etc.), articles (“an”, “a”, and “the”), and coordinating conjunctions (“for”, “nor”, “and”, “but”, “so”, “or”, and “yet”).

The paragraph will be left justified with the first sentence indented. 

The second level of the title should not be centered on your paper.

It should be flush left or it should begin at the left side of your page with no indentation.

It should also be typed in bold with a title case heading. The paragraph will also start from the left side of your paper with an indentation.

The third level of your titles should also begin at the left side of your page with no indentation. It should be boldface with a title case heading. However, the third level of your title should be italicized. The paragraph begins from the left side of your page with an indentation. 

The fourth level of your titles should be indented, boldface, and with a title-case heading. This level is not italicized. However, it ends with a period because the text of the paragraph that follows should continue on the same line as that of the title level. 

The fifth level of an APA title should also be indented, boldface, and with a title-case heading. However, this level is italicized. It also ends with a period since the next paragraph will start on the same line. 

How to Write Titles for MLA Essay

Titles in an MLA essay have different levels with the first level being centered, boldface, and with a title, case heading. The second level should be written in the same way as the first level with the only difference being that the second level is flushed to the left side of the paper. 

The third level should begin at the left side of your page with no indentation.

It should be boldface with a title case heading.

The third level of your title should be italicized.

The fourth level should be indented, boldface, and with a title, case heading.

This level is not italicized. However, it ends with a period.

The fifth level should also be indented, boldface, and with a title, case heading. This level is italicized. It also ends with a period. 

In MLA, you should also capitalize the first word, all the principle words, and the last word in the title. Don’t capitalize prepositions, articles, and coordinating conjunctions.

Read our guide on how to write good essay titles to get further insight and tips that will help you sharpen your writing skills.

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What about MLA format?

All research papers on literature use MLA format, as it is the universal citation method for the field of literary studies. Whenever you use a primary or secondary source, whether you are quoting or paraphrasing, you will make parenthetical citations in the MLA format [Ex. (Smith 67).] Your Works Cited list will be the last page of your essay. Consult the OWL handout on MLA for further instructions.

Note, however, the following minor things about MLA format:

• Titles of books, plays, or works published singularly (not anthologized) should be italicised unless it is a handwritten document, in which case underlining is acceptable. (Ex. Hamlet , Great Expectations )
• Titles of poems, short stories, or works published in an anthology will have quotation marks around them. (Ex. "Ode to a Nightingale," "The Cask of Amontillado")

Tip If you're using Microsoft Word, you can easily include your name and page number on each page by following the these steps:

• Open "View" (on the top menu).
• Open "Header and Footer." (A box will appear at the top of the page you're on. And a "Header and Footer" menu box will also appear).
• Click on the "align right" button at the top of the screen. (If you're not sure which button it is, hold the mouse over the buttons and a small window should pop up telling you which button you're on.)
• Type in your last name and a space.
• Click on the "#" button which is located on the "Header and Footer" menu box. It will insert the appropriate page number.
• Click "Close" on the "Header and Footer" window.

That's all you need to do. Word will automatically insert your name and the page number on every page of your document.

What else should I remember?

• Don't leave a quote or paraphrase by itself-you must introduce it, explain it, and show how it relates to your thesis.
• Block format all quotations of more than four lines.
• When you quote brief passages of poetry, line and stanza divisions are shown as a slash (Ex. "Roses are red, / Violets are blue / You love me / And I like you").
• For more help, see the OWL handout on using quotes .

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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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / Citation Basics / Do You Italicize Article Titles?

Do You Italicize Article Titles?

No, typically you don’t italicize article titles. Instead, you may enclose article titles in double quotation marks (MLA 9: “Article Title”) or simply use regular font without quotation marks (APA 7: Article title). The exact format for article titles depends on the style guide you’re using. Different academic disciplines use different style manuals that follow differing rules. However, generally, you do italicize the larger work of which the article is a part ( Journal/Magazine/Newspaper Title ) . 

Let’s look at how MLA 9, APA 7, and Chicago styles handle title formatting for articles.

MLA 9 Style for Article Titles

Since journal, magazine, and newspaper articles are part of a larger standalone work, you use regular font (not italics) for article titles and double quotation marks in MLA 9 style.

Here is a template for a magazine article in MLA 9-style:

Author Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Magazine Title , Publication Month. Year, pp. #-# or URL.

Here is an MLA 9-style reference list entry example for a magazine article:

Parker, James. “An Ode to My Thesaurus.” The Atlantic , July-Aug. 2022, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/07/an-ode-to-my-thesaurus/638453/

Notice the regular font for the magazine article and the italics for the magazine title:

• Article title: “An Ode to My Thesaurus”
• Magazine title : The Atlantic

MLA 9’s style manual uses the term containers for larger standalone works. For example, a book is a container for a chapter. Here are more container examples:

• Container –> Item in container
• Album –> Song
• Book –> Chapter
• Journal –> Article
• Television show/series –> Episode
• Newspaper or Magazine Publication –> Interview

Standalone works or containers are italicized . That includes the titles of the following:

• Journal Titles
• Magazine Titles
• Newspaper Titles
• Photo/Image/Painting
• Television series
• Webpages/Websites

Works contained within a standalone work should be enclosed in double quotation marks. In the works-cited entry, these titles are placed before the container’s, or standalone work’s, title. Titles of works that are part of larger standalone works include the following:

• Book chapters
• Interviews in a magazine
• Journal articles
• Magazine article
• Newspaper article
• Short stories
• Song on an album
• Webpage/Website articles

APA 7 Style for Article Titles

Since journal, magazine, and newspaper articles are part of a larger standalone work, you use regular font (not italics) for article titles in APA style.

Here is a template for a journal article in APA 7-style:

Author Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Publication Year). Title of the journal article: Subtitle of article. Title of the Journal, VolumeNumber (IssueNumber), Page#-#. URL.

Here is an APA 7-style reference list entry example for a journal article:

Jacoby, W. G. (1994). Public attitudes toward government spending. American Journal of Political Science, 38 (2), 336-361. https://doi.org/10.2307/2111407

Notice the regular font for the journal article and the italics for the journal title:

• Article title: Public attitudes toward government spending.
• Journal title : American Journal of Political Science

In APA 7, you italicize titles of sources that stand alone. Standalone sources are not part of another work. Standalone works that you italicize in APA include:

• Journal Titles ( not journal articles)
• Magazine Title
• Music Album ( not a song on the album)
• Newspaper Title
• Podcast ( not a podcast episode)
• Television Series
• YouTube Video

Works that are just a part of another work, like a chapter in a book, are not italicized. Sources that are part of another work and in regular font in APA include:

• Edited Book Chapters
• Journal Articles
• Magazine Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Podcast episodes
• Songs on an album
• Television episodes

Chicago Style (17th ed. notes-bibliography format)

Since journal, magazine, and newspaper articles are part of a larger standalone work, you use regular font (not italics) and quotation marks for article titles in Chicago style.

Here is a template for a newspaper article in Chicago-style:

• Author First Name Last Name, “Newspaper Article Title,”  Newspaper Title , Publication Month Day, Year, URL.

Bibliography:

Author Last Name, First Name. “Newspaper Article Title.” Newspaper Title , Publication Month Day, Year. URL.

Here are Chicago-style note and bibliography entry examples for a newspaper article:

• Emmett Lindner, “Keeping Up With Crypto,” New York Times , June 3, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/insider/keeping-up-with-crypto.html.

Lindner. Emmett. “Keeping Up With Crypto.” New York Times , June 3, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/03/insider/keeping-up-with-crypto.html.

Notice the regular font for the newspaper article and the italics for the newspaper title:

• Article title: “Keeping Up With Crypto”
• Newspaper title : New York Times

In Chicago style, you italicize titles of sources that stand alone. Standalone sources are not part of another work. Standalone works that you italicize in Chicago include:

Works that are just a part of another work, like a chapter in a book, are not italicized. Sources that are part of another work and in regular font in Chicago style include:

Citation Guides

• Annotated Bibliography
• Block Quotes
• Citation Examples
• et al Usage
• In-text Citations
• Page Numbers
• Reference Page
• Sample Paper
• APA 7 Updates
• View APA Guide
• Bibliography
• Works Cited
• MLA 8 Updates
• View MLA Guide

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The article title does not appear in in-text citations. It appears only in the corresponding works-cited-list entry. To cite the article title in MLA style in your works cited list, you need to follow the format given in the below template. An example of an article written by a single author is given for your understanding.

Works cited list template and example

The title of the article is in plain text and title case; it is placed inside quotation marks. Follow the punctuation and formatting as given in the example.

Surname, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Journal Title , volume #, issue #, publication date, page range.

Etchells, Tim. “On the Skids: Some Years of Acting Animals.” Performance Research , vol. 5, no. 2, 2000, pp. 55–60.

The article title of a journal, newspaper, or magazine is never italicized in either APA or MLA style. In APA style, the article title is given in plain text and sentence case. In MLA style, the article title is written in title case and given in quotation marks.

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What Titles Get Italicized When Writing? The Full Guide

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.

The Basics: Understanding Italics in Writing

When to use italics for titles: a common dilemma, full-length works, shorter works, formatting guidelines: style manuals to the rescue.

• for subheadings, and for further subdivisions help you achieve this effortlessly. 3. Emphasize important details: Utilize the power of bold to emphasize key terms or phrases. This will catch your reader’s attention and help them focus on crucial information within your text. 4. Bullet points for clarity: When presenting a series of related points or items, opt for bulleted lists. This format increases visual appeal, aids in comprehension, and encourages a quick scanability of information. 5. Citations made easy: To avoid plagiarism and give proper credit to your sources, consult the appropriate citation style recommended by your style manual. Whether it’s APA, MLA, or Chicago, adhere to the rules and guidelines to ensure accurate and consistent citation within your work. Remember, by adhering to the guidelines provided by style manuals, you can tackle formatting roadblocks with ease, creating professional and polished documents that will impress readers and elevate your written work to new heights. So dive into the valuable world of style manuals and make your formatting fears a thing of the past! Book Titles: Proper Italics Usage

Movies, TV Shows, and Plays: Navigating Titles in Italics

What about articles, essays, and short stories, brand names and product titles: to italicize or not, exceptions to the rule: handy tips for tricky cases, frequently asked questions, in retrospect.

Italics play a crucial role in enhancing the visual presentation and clarity of written content. When used correctly, they can provide emphasis, indicate foreign words or phrases, and differentiate titles of works. Here’s a breakdown of how to effectively utilize italics in your writing:

1. Emphasis: Italics are commonly used to emphasize specific words or phrases, adding weight and significance to them. By setting them apart from the surrounding text, italics draw readers’ attention and create emphasis, making those words stand out. For example, instead of saying, “I really love that song,” you can say, “I really love that song.” The emphasis on “love” conveys a stronger sentiment.

2. Foreign Words or Phrases: When incorporating foreign terms into your writing, italics are used to indicate that these words or phrases are not in the language of the main text. This helps the reader understand that the word is being used from another language and may not have a direct translation. For instance, if you were describing a French dish in an English article, you might write, “The hors d’oeuvres were absolutely delicious.” By italicizing “hors d’oeuvres,” you indicate that it is a non-English term.

Types of Titles

There are numerous types of titles that can appear in writing, including book titles, movie titles, poem titles, article titles, and more. When it comes to deciding whether to use italics for these titles, it can often be a common dilemma. However, understanding the guidelines can help you make the right choice.

When it comes to full-length works such as books, movies, or plays, it is generally recommended to italicize the title. This helps to differentiate the complete work from other elements within the text. Additionally, if you are writing within a formal setting, such as in academic papers or articles, following this guideline is crucial for maintaining consistency and adhering to standard writing conventions.

On the other hand, shorter works like articles, chapters, or poems are typically placed in quotation marks instead of being italicized. Using quotation marks helps to indicate that the title is part of a larger work. This is especially important when referencing shorter pieces within a longer body of text or when citing sources. For example, when writing an essay, you would italicize the book containing multiple chapters, but put the individual chapter title or article title in quotation marks.

Understanding when to use italics versus quotation marks for titles is important in order to accurately convey the intended meaning and provide clarity to your readers. By following these guidelines, you can navigate the common dilemma of whether to use italics for titles and ensure your writing maintains a polished and professional appearance.

For those who find themselves swimming in a sea of confusion when it comes to formatting, fear not! Style manuals are here to rescue you from the abyss of uncertainty. These invaluable resources provide a comprehensive set of guidelines, facilitating consistency and clarity in your written work. To ensure your documents are well-structured and professional, follow these essential formatting tips:

1. Consistency is key: Remember to use consistent formatting throughout your document. Whether it’s punctuations, headings, or citation styles, maintaining uniformity enhances readability and conveys a sense of professionalism.

2. Headings hierarchy: Arrange your headings hierarchically to create a logical flow within your document. HTML tags like

In the world of literature, italics play a crucial role in emphasizing book titles and creating a visually appealing format. Knowing when to properly use italics can make a significant difference in the professionalism and readability of your work. Here are some helpful guidelines to ensure the correct usage of italics for book titles:

1. **Complete Works**: When referencing a complete book, such as a novel, memoir, or collection of poems, it is important to italicize the title. For example, if you are discussing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, *The Great Gatsby*, remember to italicize the title to distinguish it from the rest of the text.

2. **Partial Works**: On the other hand, when referring to a specific chapter, short story, or essay within a larger collection or anthology, use double quotation marks instead of italics. For instance, if you are analyzing Toni Morrison’s novel, *Beloved*, and want to highlight a specific chapter, like “Rememory,” enclose the chapter title in quotation marks to indicate it is a smaller work within the larger context.

When it comes to distinguishing titles of movies, TV shows, and plays, the use of italics is crucial. Italicizing these titles is a common practice in writing, as it helps to differentiate them from the surrounding text and emphasizes their importance. By following this simple formatting rule, you can ensure that your readers easily recognize the titles and understand the references you make.

To properly navigate titles in italics, remember the following guidelines:

1. Movies: Titles of full-length movies should always be italicized. For example, “The Shawshank Redemption” is an iconic film that captivates audiences with its powerful storytelling. 2. TV Shows: When referring to a TV show, it is important to italicize the title. For instance, “Friends” remains a beloved sitcom that continues to entertain viewers of all ages.

Articles, essays, and short stories are three distinct forms of written expression that offer unique opportunities for writers to convey their thoughts, ideas, and stories to their intended audience.

An article is a piece of writing that focuses on presenting factual information, analysis, or opinion on a particular topic. Whether it’s a news article, a feature article, or an informative blog post, articles aim to provide readers with valuable insights and knowledge. They typically follow a structured format that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Articles may also include subheadings, bullet points, and images to enhance readability.

On the other hand, an essay is a more formal and thoughtful piece of writing that explores a specific topic in depth. Essays often present the author’s personal perspective or argument supported by evidence and logical reasoning. They may provide a critical analysis, compare and contrast different viewpoints, or present a persuasive argument. Typically, essays are structured into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. They follow a distinct thesis statement, which acts as the central idea guiding the reader through the essay.

Short stories are fictional narratives that focus on a brief incident, a character, or an event. Unlike articles and essays, short stories are a form of creative writing that allows authors to immerse readers in a fictional world of characters and plotlines. These concise narratives can range from thought-provoking to entertaining, often leaving readers with a lasting impact or message. Short stories don’t require extensive background information and are usually composed with a well-defined beginning, middle, and end, highlighting the significance of storytelling skills within a limited space.

When it comes to using brand names and product titles in your writing, one important aspect to consider is whether to italicize them or not. The use of italics can help distinguish these names and titles from the rest of the text, but it is not always necessary or prescribed. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding whether to use italics for brand names and product titles:

1. Consistency: Maintaining consistency throughout your content is crucial for a professional and polished look. If you decide to italicize brand names and product titles, make sure to do so consistently throughout your writing.

2. Brand guidelines: Some brands have specific guidelines for how their names should be presented in writing. It is worth checking the brand’s style guide or website to see if they prefer their name to be italicized or represented in a specific way.

On the other hand, there are situations when italics may not be necessary or preferred:

1. Widely recognized brands: Brands that are well-known and easily identifiable may not require italics. Consider the popularity and recognition of the brand before deciding to italicize it.

2. Clarity and readability: Using italics excessively can be visually distracting and negatively impact the readability of your text. If your content contains multiple brand names or product titles, consider using bold formatting instead of italics to avoid overwhelming the reader.

In the world of rules and norms, there are always exceptions that leave us scratching our heads. When it comes to tricky cases, it’s important to be prepared and armed with knowledge. Here are some handy tips to help you navigate those exception-filled waters:

• Think Outside the Box: Tricky cases often require creative solutions. Break free from the conventional and explore alternative approaches . Embracing flexibility will enable you to find unexpected answers.
• Consult the Experts: When facing an exceptional scenario, seeking advice from specialists can be a game-changer. Whether it’s a legal matter or a complex technical problem, tapping into the expertise of those who specialize in the field can provide invaluable insights and guidance.
• Double-Check the Details: Tricky cases are notorious for their subtle nuances. In these situations, paying attention to the smallest details can make all the difference. Take your time to thoroughly analyze the case, ensuring that no stone is left unturned.

Don’t let tricky cases discourage you. Remember, exceptions exist to challenge us and push the boundaries of our understanding. By thinking creatively, seeking advice, and paying attention to the details, you’ll be better equipped to tackle even the trickiest of cases!

Q: When should I use italics when writing? A: Italics are used to emphasize or highlight specific words, phrases, or titles in written text.

Q: What is the purpose of italicizing titles? A: Italicizing titles helps to distinguish them from regular text and brings attention to their importance or significance.

Q: Which titles are typically italicized in writing? A: Titles of longer works such as books, magazines, newspapers, films, plays, TV shows, music albums, paintings, and sculptures are generally italicized.

Q: Are there any exceptions to italicizing book titles? A: Yes, shorter works like chapters or sections of books, poems, short stories, articles, and essays are usually enclosed in quotation marks, not italicized.

Q: How about italicizing titles of websites, blogs, or web pages? A: In general, website and blog names are not italicized. However, if you are referring to a specific page or article within a website, that title should be italicized.

Q: What about titles of songs or individual music tracks? A: Song titles, along with individual tracks from albums, are typically enclosed in quotation marks, rather than being italicized.

Q: Should I italicize the names of video games? A: Yes, names of video games are typically italicized. It helps differentiate the title from the surrounding text.

Q: Do I need to italicize scientific or research papers? A: Italicization of scientific or research papers is not necessary. However, if you are referring to a specific paper or article within a larger publication, then that title should be italicized.

Q: Is it necessary to italicize foreign words or phrases? A: Italicizing foreign words or phrases helps to distinguish them from the rest of the text. This convention allows readers to recognize that the word or phrase is in a different language.

Q: Are headlines or titles of newspaper articles italicized? A: No, newspaper article titles or headlines are usually not italicized. They are generally written in bold or enclosed in quotation marks.

Q: What is the key takeaway regarding italics in writing titles? A: Remember, italics are used to set certain titles apart from regular text. Longer works such as books, movies, and artworks are typically italicized, while shorter works such as articles, essays, and poem titles go in quotation marks. Following these guidelines will clarify your writing and help readers navigate your text smoothly.

In conclusion, knowing which titles to italicize in writing is essential for clarity and consistency. This guide provides a comprehensive explanation for writers to navigate this often confusing aspect of formatting.

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Quotation Marks or Italics In Titles?

| Candace Osmond

| Punctuation

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

You’ve probably asked yourself while writing an essay: Should I italicize a play title or enclose it in quotation marks? What about a song title?

Don’t feel guilty for not knowing the rules for quotation marks or italics in titles . Even the most experienced writers have the same problem.

I’ll show you the basic rules for choosing between quotation marks and italics in titles. This guide features the guidelines of Chicago, MLA, and APA.

Using Italics or Quotation Marks in Titles

Using italics vs. quotation marks in titles depends on your style guide. But the general rule is to italicize long titles, such as titles of books, movie titles, or album titles.

Meanwhile, you must write titles in quotation marks for shorter pieces like musical titles, magazines, TV series, and articles. Note that the AP style does not put magazines, newspaper style, or journals in quotation marks.

• “How You Feel About Gender Roles Will Tell Us How You’ll Vote” is an article worth the read.
• My favorite song is “If I could Fly.”
• My Year of Rest and Relaxation is for readers who want to escape their stressful lives.

Works That Require Italics

Use Italics for titles such as the following:

• Pieces with sections, such as a collection or anthology.
• Some scientific names.
• Computers and video games.
• Titles of newspapers and titles of articles from newspapers.
• Play titles.
• Works of art.
• Court cases.
• Television and radio shows.
• Episode titles.
• Book titles.
• Magazine articles.
• Album titles.
• Names of Ships.
• Operas, musical titles, and other musical works.

Here are some examples of italicized works:

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
• Michelangelo’s David.
• When Harry Met Sally.
• Do you have a copy of Wag the Dog by award-winning author Larry Beinhart?
• My favorite mystery book is In the Woods by the bestselling author Tana French .

The source’s title is usually italicized in a bibliography or reference list entries. But it can also depend on the source type. If you’re citing a journal article, every citation style italicizes the journal title instead of the article.

• Asher, J. (2017). Thirteen reasons why . Penguin Books.
• (2011). When Harry met Sally . Santa Monica, Calif: MGM Studio distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Works That Require Quotation Marks

Use double quotes for the following types of work.

• Comic strips.
• Article title.
• Generic titles.
• Short works like essays
• Short story titles.
• Song titles.

Remember that quotation marks come in pairs, so add both opening and closing quotation marks. Here are some examples where we use friendly quotation marks in titles:

• “Cul de Sac” is a darkly humorous comic.
• “Cinderella” is my favorite chapter title from the Big Blue Book .

Big Things vs. Little Things

“Big things” include a collection of novels or book series, movies, cartoon series, and other works that can stand independently. We can also consider them as complete bodies of work.

Meanwhile, the “little things” depend on other groups, so we put them in quotes.

Think of a “single” in an album title or a “book chapter” in a book title. Another good example includes “manuscripts” in collections.

Remember that this isn’t a perfect rule. But it helps writers determine whether they should quote or italicize the title of a work.

Italics vs. Quotation Marks in Style Guides

The grammar rules on italicizing or quoting titles are usually a matter of style. Take a look at the title formats’ differences among style guides.

In the Modern Language Association style guide, a quick rule is to italicize titles that are longer. Experienced writers state that these “longer works” include books, journals, court cases, etc. Ship names and other notable names are also in italics.

But for shorter works like articles and poems, MLA Style Guide recommends you format titles with double quotation marks.

Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style goes by the same basic rules as MLA. Titles of major works, such as books, and special names like a ship should be in italics. But place the item in quotation marks for subsections of larger bodies like journal articles, blogs, and book chapters.

According to the APA Style 7th edition , you should use italics for titles like journals, magazines, and newspapers. Books, artworks, webpages, and any other larger body of work also use italics.

However, writers who follow APA use the regular type of format for shorter works. These include essays or works in journal articles and lectures.

When to Not Use Italics or Quotation Marks

There’s a specific type of title that all major style guides have no recommendations for. The following do not use italics or quotation marks for titles:

• Commercial products.
• Political documents.
• Legal documents.
• Major religious books or scriptures.
• Name of artifacts.
• Names of buildings.
• Constitutional documents.
• Traditional game.

If you are formatting titles on a website, there’s no need to follow the rules on italics vs. quotation marks. You can go with any more visually appealing style since online web pages are less formal than print materials.

Prioritize the font type, size, and headings when formatting websites and web pages. Make decisions based on what will attract visitors.

When to Underline Instead of Quote or Italicize

If you write using pen and paper, italicizing works can be challenging. Many style manuals recommend underlining the source instead. It’s easier, more practical, and keeps your handwriting legible.

Final Word on Italics vs. Quotes in Titles

An easy way to remember is that most types of titles are almost always in italics. APA, MLA, and Chicago manuals of style recommend italics for longer works.

I hope this guide on using quotation marks and italics in titles helps you become a better writer. 

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Styling Titles of Online Works

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

To determine whether to style a work on a website in italics or quotation marks, you must consider the work’s length, genre, and context. Long works and works that are self-contained and independent are generally styled in italics. Short works and works that form part of a larger work are generally styled in quotation marks. 

Online Works Styled in Italics

A website is an independent work and is thus styled in italics: 

Eaves, Morris, et al., editors. The William Blake Archive . 1996-2014, www.blakearchive.org/blake/.

Book-length works like novels and nonfiction studies are normally independent, so even if the version you consult is contained within another independent work, such as a database, it is still styled in italics:

Gikandi, Simon. Ngugi wa Thiong’o . Cambridge UP, 2000.  ACLS Humanities E-book , hdl.handle.net/2027/heb.07588.0001.001.

Radcliffe, Anne. The Novels of Mrs. Anne Radcliffe: Complete in One Volume . Hurst, Robinson, 1824. Google Books , books.google.com.

Plays are treated as independent works, even when they are contained within another independent work, such as a website:

Shakespeare, William. Othello . Edited by Jessica Slights, modern ed.,   Internet Shakespeare Editions , U of Victoria, internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/Texts/Oth/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2017.

Movies and Television Series

Movies and television series are normally independent, so they too are styled in italics, even when they are contained within a website:

Richardson, Tony, director.  Sanctuary . Screenplay by James Poe, performances by Lee Remick and Yves Montand, Twentieth Century Fox, 1961.  YouTube , uploaded by LostCinemaChannel, 17 July 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMnzFM_Sq8s.

Victoria . PBS , WGBH Educational Foundation, 2017, www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/shows/victoria/. 

Videos on Online Sharing Sites

If an online video seems to be an independent work, style it in italics like a movie:

Slip Slip Knit (SSK). YouTube , uploaded by TheKnitWitch, 14 Feb. 2007, www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwcYW3GG3M.

Works of Art

The same is true of works of art: they are normally independent so are styled in italics even when they are contained within a museum’s website:

Bearden, Romare.  The Train. 1975.  MOMA , www.moma.org/collection/ works/65232?locale=en.

Online Works Styled in Quotation Marks

Songs and Music Videos

Songs are normally styled in quotation marks because they are short and often originally contained in albums. If you know that a song was originally released on its own, however, you may style it in italics. A music video is the visual equivalent of a song so is styled in quotation marks. To make clear to your reader that you are citing a video, include “Video” in the optional-element slot at the end of the entry:

Beyoncé. “Pretty Hurts.” Beyoncé , Parkwood Entertainment, 2013, www.beyonce.com/album/beyonce/?media_view=songs.

Beyoncé. “Pretty Hurts.”  Beyoncé , www.beyonce.com/video/. Video.

Television Episodes

Television episodes are short and originally part of a series, so they are styled in quotation marks: 

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Unaired Pilot 1996.” YouTube , uploaded by Brian Stowe, 28 Jan. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR3J-v7QXXw.

Essays, Articles, and Blog Posts

A short-form piece of writing that is part of a larger independent work is styled in quotation marks:

Danticat, Edwidge. “Edwidge Danticat: Dawn after the Tempests.” The New York Times , 6 Nov. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/travel/       edwidge-danticat-hurricane-irma-maria-tourist-grenada.html. Goldman, Anne. “Questions of Transport: Reading Primo Levi Reading Dante.” The Georgia Review , vol. 64, no. 1, 2010, pp. 69-88. JSTOR , www.jstor.org/stable/41403188. Lang, James. “Will They Remember Writing It?” Chronicle Vitae ,  Chronicle of Higher Education, 7 Nov. 2017, chroniclevitae.com/news/    1939-will-they-remember-writing-it.

A story is generally considered a short work and often published as part of a collection or in a magazine, so it too is styled in quotation marks:

Poe, Edgar Allan. “The Masque of the Red Death.” The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, edited by James A. Harrison, vol. 4, Thomas Y. Crowell, 1902, pp. 250-58.  HathiTrust Digital Library , babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924079574368;view=1up; seq=266. Enright, Anne. “The Hotel.”  The New Yorker , 6 Nov. 2017, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/11/06/the-hotel.

Poems–except for epic poems such as  Paradise Lost –are usually styled in quotation marks, even if they are published by themselves on a website rather than as part of a collection:

Shelley, Percy Bysshe. “Matilda Gathering Flowers.”  Poetry Foundation , 2017, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/92195/matilda-gathering-flowers.

By convention, lectures are styled in quotation marks, so they are styled thus when contained in a website:

Allende, Isabel. “Tales of Passion.”  TED: Ideas Worth Spreading , Jan. 2008, www.ted.com/talks/isabel_allende_tells_tales_of_passion?language=en. 

15 Comments

Annette velasquez 15 march 2019 at 04:03 pm.

Do I use italics for the name of a published government report?

Your e-mail address will not be published

Jennifer A. Rappaport 17 March 2019 AT 08:03 AM

Yes. You can find examples on pages 104-05 of the eighth edition of the handbook.

sue 12 December 2019 AT 08:12 PM

What about YouTube channels which have several episodes? For example, the episode "Why do prime numbers make these spirals?" is on the YouTube 3blue1brown channel.

Is YouTube italicized? What about 3blue1brown?

Thank you, Sue

Jennifer A. Rappaport 13 December 2019 AT 07:12 AM

Thanks for your question. YouTube is always italicized in MLA style since it's the name of a Web site. Video titles can be styled in italics or quotation marks. We style them in italics if they video seems to be a stand-alone work. Since television and podcast episodes are set in quotation marks, it seems logical style a video episode in quotation marks as well.

Arathi 13 January 2020 AT 12:01 PM

When iam citing an film uploaded on YouTube should I start the entry with the title of the film or the name of the director ?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 15 January 2020 AT 07:01 AM

Thanks for your question. See our post on this topic: https://style.mla.org/cite-film-by-title-or-director/

Arathi 01 February 2020 AT 02:02 PM

Please suggest the way to cite a review with a unique title.

Jennifer A. Rappaport 02 February 2020 AT 08:02 PM

Thanks for your question. Please see the example in this Style Center post: https://style.mla.org/citing-an-amazon-review/.

Rebecca Suzanne Call 29 September 2021 AT 05:09 PM

This is a fantastic presentation. Any chance you have an updated (MLA 9) version? Thanks!

Sami khan 01 November 2021 AT 12:11 PM

Kindly guide me that how can I cite an Act in my paper. For example I have mentioned American Wilderness Act in my thesis but I do jot know how to cite it.

Laura Kiernan 08 November 2021 AT 01:11 PM

Thank you for your question; please see our post on documenting legal works .

Janet Cara 16 January 2022 AT 12:01 PM

Is Date Accessed still used?

Celia Cooley 25 February 2022 AT 10:02 PM

Would a short film (such as the Pixar shorts) be italicized or put in quotation marks?

Debbie Abilock 06 May 2022 AT 12:05 PM

What about this titled short work "Faces I'll Never Forget" within an anthology of short works "Tiny Love Stories: 'We Slow-Danced on the Sidewalk' as part of a larger project Modern Love? https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/03/style/tiny-modern-love-stories-we-slow-danced-on-the-sidewalk.html?

Lisa Jacques 07 December 2022 AT 07:12 PM

In the body of a persuasive essay, do you place quotes around the title of the article or italicize it?

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A Guide to Italics and When to Use Them.

Italics are designed to emphasise certain words in written text. Tonally, they can be used to reflect a change in intonation, highlight contrast or even to denote sarcasm. They can also be used to make names and titles stand out in a sentence, instead of using quotation marks.

An italic font should be used sparingly, so as not to overwhelm your writing with varying levels of emphasis. In this guide, you’ll learn more about the italic definition , how it functions in typography and when best to use the font style .

What you’ll learn:   

• What is italic font?
• The purpose of the italic font style.
• Examples of when to use italics.
• Italics: A matter of style.
• Common types of italic fonts.
• Italics FAQs.

What is italic font ?

Italic font is a slanted type style that’s commonly used to contrast against the default ‘upright’ Roman type or bold. The typeface is inspired by cursive Italian script and was originally designed to recreate the flowing look of calligraphy and handwriting.

The story goes that, in the 15 th century, Italian printer Aldus Manutius asked punchcutter Francesco Griffo da Bologna to create a new, cursive type for his upcoming series of books. His goal was to cut paper costs and appeal to his audiences of writers, academics and learnt government officials, who customarily used a delicate, slanting handwriting style for their work. 

These Italian scholars and their work gave the italic font its name. They went on to inspire countless reiterations of italics , until the typeface eventually landed on our pages and screens.

The purpose of the italic font style . 

The contrast between the italic ‘slanted’ font type and the standard Roman ‘upright’ type creates a natural emphasis. In some cases, italics are used in a similar way to bold or underlined types, to simply accent or highlight certain words, phrases or headings .

However, the italic font style is more commonly used in academic writing for formatting references.  For example, it’s used to set apart the titles of whole published books, films, plays or other works within a sentence or reference section. This is rather than use quotation marks - like you might for the titles of articles, legal cases or poems within a collection. 

These latter examples are not italicised, as they’re often considered as parts of whole works. An example could be Sylvia Plath’s famous poem ‘Daddy’, which was published in her posthumous collection Ariel . Or, Allen Ginsburg’s poem ‘Howl’, as found on his collection Howl and Other Poems . 

Likewise, articles published on periodical or web pages  are often use capitalisation and commas , while the publication is in italic text . Take ‘Titanic Sinks Four Hours After Hitting Iceburg ’, from the 16 th April 1912 edition of The New York Times . 

Examples of when to use italics .  

You can use italics to convey a range of different meanings and for a variety of purposes. But knowing when to use them makes all the difference when crafting the structure and tone of your writing.

You can use an italic type font to:

• Place emphasis on a word or phrase . Example: ‘Are you going to wear that ? ’, as opposed to ‘are you going to wear that?’.
• Highlight urgency or importance . Example: ‘The WWF estimates there are less than 200 Amur leopards left in the wild’.
• Show sarcasm or irony . Example: ‘Oh wow, that’s a great idea’, as opposed to ‘Oh wow, that’s a great idea’.
• Television shows
• Video games
• Publications (magazines, newspapers etc.)
• Works of art
• Software programs.
• Foreign words used in a sentence . This rule is typically true for words that may not appear in an English dictionary. Example: “He discovered he simply didn’t care. ‘Oh well, c’est la vie ’, he thought.”

When not to use italics .

Italics shouldn’t be used when referencing things that are a part of greater (whole) works. For example, if following the above italic referencing style, you shouldn’t italicise the names of:

• TV episodes - Italicise the TV programme .
• Poems - Italicise the poetry collection or publication .
• Articles - Italicise the website or publication .
• Songs - Italicise the album .

Aside from referencing, there aren’t any hard and fast rules when it comes to where and what to italicise. However, you may want to keep in mind that too many changes in emphasis and font type can become overwhelming for the reader. It’s best practice to use italics sparingly, so they have a greater effect when you do.

Italics : A matter of style.

Besides considering moderation when using italics , house style also dictates when and how the font should be used. For example, some publications - such as the Guardian newspaper - prefer not to use italics and instead defer to using standard Roman when referencing titles. Some may also prefer to place titles in single quotation marks or even bold them.

Examples of differing house styles:

• Italics : ‘I recently read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.’
• Standard Roman : ‘I recently read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.’
• Apostrophes : ‘I recently read ‘Fahrenheit 451’ by Ray Bradbury.’
• Bold text : ‘I recently read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.’

Note how only one stylistic choice is used at a time - for example, titles aren’t bold italic - unless you really want to highlight its importance. Also note that author names do not need to be made italic or bold.

As long as a title is discernible from the standard text, there are no general rules for italic font for every publication. The important thing is to ensure you’re following the correct house style,   following any referencing guidance provided to you and considerate of reader accessibility .

Common types of italic fonts .

• E.g. Pickled Cucumbers
• E.g. Numerous Monkeys
• E.g. Quality Jams
• E.g. Prised Vegetables

Italics FAQS.

Can you use italics in formal writing.

Yes, though it will depend on the house style of the publication you’re writing for, or the required referencing style you need to use. Generally, using italics is the standard method of both providing emphasis and referencing titles of whole works in academic and formal writing.

How do you emphasise words without using italics ?

If you don’t want to use an italic font , try bolding or underlining words instead. You may find that this works better for your purpose. However, in some cases, you may find emphasis can only be created with the use of italics . For example, when conveying sarcasm: ‘I would have never thought of that’ versus ‘I would have never thought of that’.

Is cursive the same as italics ?

While some cursive fonts often appear as italic as standard, the two typefaces aren’t the same. For example, cursive fonts are usually joined and naturally italicised, as they follow the style of traditional cursive handwriting. Italics , however, are, of course, italicised, but they are not always joined.

Explore typography in design with Adobe Photoshop .

Get creative with Photoshop and experiment with different fonts and typography to create effective designs .

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How to Title an Essay? Everything an Essay Guru Should Know

• Essay Writing Guides

As soon as you sit down to compose an academic paper, you may be troubled by how to name your essay so that it reveals the essence of your text and grabs the audience’s attention at first sight. Ideally, that’s what a good title should achieve – informing and engaging. 

So, what’s the secret recipe for an ideal essay title ? How long should an essay title b e to comply with the college rules and formatting standards? 

The answer is not that straightforward, as you need to be inventive when creating an essay title . Some pro tactics will always help you move on and find a good title for an essay on any topic, and your task is to master the art of naming your works like a pro. 

Read on to get an exhaustive answer to the question, “ What is a good title for an essay ?” Your search for the best essay title ends here. Our guide covers the main principles of title formatting, structuring, and selection to make you a naming guru. We’ve also paired theory with practice and have given a series of catchy essay title examples to illustrate the manual. 

A Secret Recipe of a Good Essay Title 

To understand what a good title for an essay looks like, we need to understand its purpose. Wise people say that a reader shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Yet, in fact, that’s what usually happens, and this means that your essay headline will be the first (and sometimes the last) information the reader gets about your intellectual product. 

As a rule, paper titles serve the following goals: 

• Inform the readers what your essay is about. 
• Motivate them to go on reading. 
• Excite their interest in the subject. 
• Catch the readers’ attention to make them read until the end.

Using these features of a good essay title , we may easily arrive at a definition of a winning headline: 

• A good title captures the main topic and essence of the essay. 
• It differentiates your piece from hundreds of texts on a similar topic. 
• It hooks the readers’ attention and urges them to continue. 
• A good title also exemplifies your expertise on the subject. 

Essay Title Composition Rules You Should Know 

Now, let’s proceed to the essay title format , which also can’t be ignored when composing an academic paper. Professors may require students to use a variety of referencing styles, each of which has specific instructions about the essay or research paper title . 

Guidelines for Essay Titles in MLA Format 

How to title an essay in MLA? A good title for an essay in the MLA referencing style should follow these conventions: 

• Use title case for notional words. 
• Place the title at the center and do not underline, bold, or italicize it. 
• Double-space the heading as the rest of your essay’s text. 

Guidelines for Essay Titles in APA Format 

How to title an essay in APA? The APA essay title format requires you to follow these instructions: 

• The APA title is placed on the title page and then repeated on the first page. 
• It should be capitalized (notional words). 
• It should be centered on the page and written in the bold font. 

Guidelines for Essay Titles in Chicago Manual of Style Format 

How to title an essay in Chicago? When you’re writing an academic task in the Chicago style, your good title for an essay should be structured as follows: 

• The title should be placed one-third of the page down from the page’s top. 
• It should be centered and capitalized. 
• No bolding or italicization is required.  

How to Title an Essay: Pro Guidelines 

Before we proceed to title ideas for essays , let’s briefly cover the step-by-step algorithm for arriving at a good title your professor will love. So, how to title an essay correctly by using a simple instruction? 

#1 Complete Your Essay 

A pro tip for crafting a good essay title is not to start your work with it but rather to end it. Try this tactic out, and you will see how simple it is to formulate a good headline after the whole text is ready. 

#2 Sum It Up 

Your road to a creative title starts with a recap of your essay’s content. You should re-read the text and summarize it in a couple of sentences to see what it’s exactly about. 

#3 Determine the Keywords 

You can create a good title by using the key phrases and words that capture the gist of your essay. So, pick 3-5 main words that characterize the content and make up several versions of the title using their combinations. 

#4 Mind the Format 

As we’ve already noted, a good headline should be composed in line with the referencing style you need to follow. So, you should check whether your essay should be in the APA, MLA, or other format and use appropriate guidelines in composition.  

#5 Rephrase 

Once you have the key ideas in one place, experiment with paraphrasing to find your good title . 

Creative Essay Title Examples 

Now, it’s time to cover some of the coolest essay titles that can make your paper stand out of the crowd and attract the professor’s attention with creativity and originality. We’ve compiled a list of examples of good titles for essays of various types so that you have go-to prompts regardless of the homework your tutor gives. 

Argumentative 

How to title an essay that should argue a point? When you write an argumentative essay , titling an essay should include the position you’re planning to argue. That’s why a good essay heading of an argumentative type should contain your stand. Some great essay names for argumentative pieces are: 

• Importance of school uniforms in US public schools. 
• Severity of the greenhouse effect problem in Canada. 

Compare and Contrast 

Creating an essay title for a compare-and-contrast type of paper is a no-brainer, generally speaking. It should name all the subjects you’re planning to compare and may also include the characteristics by which you want to conduct the comparative analysis. Some great paper titles in the comparative format are: 

• Distinctive features of wild animals compared to domesticated ones. 
• Online vs. offline learning. 

Analytical 

How to title an essay with an analytical approach? It requires in-depth analysis of an assigned subject using a variety of academic sources. Thus, a good headline for this piece of work should reflect your analytical standpoint and reveal the essence of your inquiry. Best titles for essays of this kind may look as follows: 

• Therapeutic benefits of CBT for PTSD. 
• Limitations of AI applications in creative professions. 

Persuasive 

Titling an essay in a persuasive format should look convincing and reflective of the stand you’re holding. A great persuasive essay heading may look as follows: 

• The need for more nuanced sex education in public schools. 
• The unmet needs of cyberbullying victims. 

Expository 

How to title an essay in an expository format? This is a form of writing that requires you to describe a specific subject and introduce it to the audience in as much detail as possible. Thus, this essay title format won’t require argumentation or emotional appeals; an expository essay headline should simply name the subject you will deal with. Good titles for essays of this type can be: 

• Socio-economic reforms in Sweden. 
• The peacemaking activities of the UN. 

Use these essay title examples as inspiration to create your own good headline once your next assignment arrives. 

Final Word 

Now you know everything about the principles of writing creative essay titles that impress the readers and have several essay title examples for guidance. If you still have many lingering questions about how to title an essay or what the best essay title should look like, don’t struggle with these academic hardships on your own. 

Come to our service and partner with one of our experienced writers. Each expert in our team knows how to pick a title for an essay , how to select the most suitable essay title format , and what impact great college essay titles produce on your grades. Transform your grades with our pros’ support and guidance, and creating an essay title will never be a challenge for you again. 

• Academic Writing Guides
• Citation Guides
• Research Paper Writing Guides
• Study Tips and Tricks

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