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MLA Titles | How to Format & Capitalize Source Titles

Published on April 2, 2019 by Courtney Gahan . Revised on March 5, 2024.

In MLA style , source titles appear either in italics or in quotation marks:

• Italicize the title of a self-contained whole (e.g. a book, film, journal, or website).
• Use  quotation marks around the title if it is part of a larger work (e.g. a chapter of a book, an article in a journal, or a page on a website).

All major words in a title are capitalized . The same format is used in the Works Cited list and in the text itself.

When you use the Scribbr MLA Citation Generator , the correct formatting and capitalization are automatically applied to titles.

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Table of contents

Capitalization in mla titles, punctuation in mla titles, titles within titles, exceptions to mla title formatting, sources with no title, abbreviating titles, titles in foreign languages, frequently asked questions about mla titles.

In all titles and subtitles, capitalize the first and last words, as well as any other principal words.

What to capitalize

What not to capitalize

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Use the same punctuation as appears in the source title. However, if there is a subtitle, separate it from the main title with a colon and a space, even if different (or no) punctuation is used in the source.

Example of a work with a subtitle

The exception is when the title ends in a question mark, exclamation point or dash, in which case you keep the original punctuation:

Sometimes a title contains another title—for example, the title of an article about a novel might contain that novel’s title.

For titles within titles, in general, maintain the same formatting as you would if the title stood on its own.

Titles and names that fall into the following categories are not italicized or enclosed in quotation marks:

• Scripture (e.g. the Bible, the Koran, the Gospel)
• Laws, acts and related documents (e.g. the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution , the Paris Agreement)
• Musical compositions identified by form, number and key (e.g. Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5 in C minor, op. 67)
• Conferences, seminars, workshops and courses (e.g. MLA Annual Convention)

Sections of a work

Words that indicate a particular section of a work are not italicized or placed within quotation marks. They are also not capitalized when mentioned in the text.

Examples of such sections include:

• introduction
• list of works cited
• bibliography

Introductions, prefaces, forewords and afterwords

Descriptive terms such as “introduction”, “preface”, “foreword” and “afterword” are capitalized if mentioned in an MLA in-text citation or in the Works Cited list, but not when mentioned in the text itself.

Example of descriptive term capitalization

In-text citation: (Brontë, Preface )

In text: In her preface to the work, added in a later edition, Brontë debates the morality of creating characters such as those featured in Wuthering Heights .

If there is a unique title for the introduction, preface, foreword or afterword, include that title in quotation marks instead of the generic section name when referencing the source in the Works Cited list or an in-text citation.

For sources with no title, a brief description of the source acts as the title.

Example of a source reference with no title

Follow these rules for capitalization:

• Capitalize the first word
• Capitalize proper nouns
• Ignore other MLA rules for capitalization

There are some exceptions to this general format: descriptions including titles of other works, such as comments on articles or reviews of movies; untitled short messages, like tweets; email messages; and untitled poems.

Exceptions to general format for sources with no title

If you need to mention the name of a work in the text itself, state the full title, but omit the subtitle.

If you need to refer to the work multiple times, you may shorten the title to something familiar or obvious to the reader. For example, Huckleberry Finn for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . If in doubt, prefer the noun phrase.

If the standalone abbreviation may not be clear, you can introduce it in parentheses, following the standard guidelines for abbreviations. For example, The Merchant of Venice ( MV ) . For Shakespeare and the Bible , there are well-established abbreviations you can use.

When you abbreviate a title, make sure you keep the formatting consistent. Even if the abbreviation consists only of letters, as in the MV example, it must be italicized or placed within quotation marks in the same way as it would be when written in full.

Abbreviating very long titles in the Works Cited list

Titles should normally be given in full in the Works Cited list, but if any of your sources has a particularly long title (often the case with older works), you can use an ellipsis to shorten it here. This is only necessary with extremely long titles such as the example below.

In the Works Cited list, if you are listing a work with a title in a language other than English, you can add the translated title in square brackets.

Example of a reference with a translated title

If you are using the foreign-language title in the text itself, you can also include the translation in parenthesis. For example, O Alquimista ( The Alchemist ) .

You don’t need to include a translation in your reference list or in the text if you expect your readers to be familiar with the original language. For example, you wouldn’t translate the title of a  French novel you were writing about in the context of a French degree.

Non-Latin script languages

For works in a language that does not use the Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, or Russian, be consistent with how you mention the source titles and also quotations from within them.

For example, if you choose to write a Russian title in the Cyrillic form, do that throughout the document. If you choose to use the Romanized form, stick with that. Do not alternate between the two.

Yes. MLA style uses title case, which means that all principal words (nouns, pronouns , verbs, adjectives , adverbs , and some conjunctions ) are capitalized.

This applies to titles of sources as well as the title of, and subheadings in, your paper. Use MLA capitalization style even when the original source title uses different capitalization .

In MLA style , book titles appear in italics, with all major words capitalized. If there is a subtitle, separate it from the main title with a colon and a space (even if no colon appears in the source). For example:

The format is the same in the Works Cited list and in the text itself. However, when you mention the book title in the text, you don’t have to include the subtitle.

The title of a part of a book—such as a chapter, or a short story or poem in a collection—is not italicized, but instead placed in quotation marks.

When a book’s chapters are written by different authors, you should cite the specific chapter you are referring to.

When all the chapters are written by the same author (or group of authors), you should usually cite the entire book, but some styles include exceptions to this.

• In APA Style , single-author books should always be cited as a whole, even if you only quote or paraphrase from one chapter.
• In MLA Style , if a single-author book is a collection of stand-alone works (e.g. short stories ), you should cite the individual work.
• In Chicago Style , you may choose to cite a single chapter of a single-author book if you feel it is more appropriate than citing the whole book.

The title of an article is not italicized in MLA style , but placed in quotation marks. This applies to articles from journals , newspapers , websites , or any other publication. Use italics for the title of the source where the article was published. For example:

Use the same formatting in the Works Cited entry and when referring to the article in the text itself.

The MLA Handbook is currently in its 9th edition , published in 2021.

This quick guide to MLA style  explains the latest guidelines for citing sources and formatting papers according to MLA.

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How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay: Examples and Tips

• August 23, 2024
• Freelancing Tips

Table of Contents Hide

Rules on how to write movie titles, do i capitalize movie titles in an essay, how to write movie titles in an essay with mla writing style, how to write movie titles in an essay in apa style, write about the correct movie, check the words of the title, be careful with words like “a” and “the”, use capital letters in the movie’s title, use italics in movie titles, write the movie’s release year, are movie titles italicized, watch it fully a couple of times, share your personal thoughts about the movie, consider it carefully, finish with some lessons learned, we also recommend.

My university professor once gave me an essay to write about a movie. I started with so much enthusiasm until I realized I was making no progress. This brought about many questions from my end. I didn’t even know how to write the movie title in the essay. All I knew was the movie plot.

Google became my friend for the assignment. It was a long shot, but I eventually finished.

Writing essays is hard on its own, now imagine writing an essay on a movie. How you write it will determine if you’ll get an A+ or a D-. We have outlined all you need in this article.

Are movie titles italicized? Do you underline movie titles? Are movie titles placed in quotes? Are film titles italicized? These questions have been answered in this article.

• Discuss the movie background first
• Share your personal experience
• Study the main ideas and topics, and discuss how they were portrayed in the movie
• Describe what lessons it can teach
• Basic grammar rules
• Use the required formatting style
• Write in the active voice
• Structure or organize your work
• Ensure smooth transitions between ideas
• Make sure to use proper punctuation for titles and headings.

See also: How To Write A Song Title in an Essay: 7 Rules to Remember

A movie title must start with a capital letter

Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs.

Articles (the, a, or an), conjunctions, and prepositions must not be capitalized except; If they are long, use phrases such as still, furthermore, and additionally, or if they are the first word in the title

Proper nouns should always be capitalized.

So, now, let’s move to how to write movie titles in an essay written in different styles.

So, how do you write movie titles in an essay in MLA style? All movie names must adhere to the MLA standard for titles in papers. Essentially, there are only two main rules; Capitalize all first letters of significant words, avoiding non-essential phrases like conjunctions, articles, and prepositions (save those used at sentence openings). Secondly, Italicize every title in your essay’s body.

What exactly is MLA format? This style was created by the Modern Language Association and consists mostly of formatting and citation standards for academic writing.

The Great Gatsby

The Lord of the Rings

See also: How to Write in Third Person Point of View: 12 Tips for Writing in Third-Person Point of View

Capitalize the first letter of each essential word, excluding articles, prepositions, and other characters.

Place the entire title in italics.

APA also requires you to capitalize words that include 4 letters or more (even if it’s a preposition, etc.).

Another common format for writing a movie title essay is the APA format. It was designed by the American Psychological Association and is mostly used in academic writing and research in a variety of social science subjects, including sociology, psychology, and anthropology.

Keep in mind that to write all movie titles in an essay, you must use the same title case capitalization as MLA, APA, and Chicago styles. Furthermore, italics are required for all three styles. The formatting for MLA and APA is the same.

Gone With the Wind

How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay with Tips

The titles of some movies are strikingly similar. Some have identical titles. You don’t want to confuse Broken Arrow, a Jimmy Stewart western, with Broken Arrow, a John Travolta thriller, for example, As a result, before using a title in your writing, ensure that you have the correct movie.

Many movies have multiple titles, typically because their original titles were changed to better suit viewers in different countries.

When bringing up a movie, make sure you know the proper wording for the scenario and how your audience wants you to discuss it.

See also: How to Write a Review on Airbnb as a Guest | Step-by-Step Guide, Examples, & Samples

Many movie titles begin with an article that most people do not say, or do not have one at all.

It can be confusing, but before you input the title, double-check that the “a” or “the” at the beginning is truly part of it.

When writing a movie title, you will capitalize. That is, capitalize the title’s first and last words, as well as any proper nouns or key keywords.

In formal academic writing, you will use standard capitalization except in rare cases where another scheme is important for understanding. That means that if a movie uses ALL CAPS, you will not use all caps unless they are an essential part of the title.

Most major writing styles italicized movie titles. This makes the title different from other words in the essay. There are some exceptions to the rule about italicizing movie titles.

Later in the article, we will explain more about italicization.

When citing a film for the first time, it is often best to include the year of release in parenthesis next to the title.

See also: How to Write a Love Song | Step-by-Step Guide, Examples, & Free Templates

The APA, MLA, and Chicago Style guides require that movie names be italicized while following the case capitalization format. Television and radio show titles should be italicized, just like movie titles.

Not all movies use italicized titles. Short film titles are frequently displayed in quotation marks rather than italics. This usually applies to segments of longer films as well as short subject films that are less than 30 minutes long.

This guideline is not rigid, therefore you should consult the style guide for your preferred writing style to see whether you need to use a different punctuation mark.

News writing is another exception. When using the APA style, movie names are written in quotation marks, with italicization reserved for highly special circumstances.

Tips on How to write about a movie in an essay

Write about the background.

Tell us what you took away from the movie, how it affected you, and how you felt. Do not repeat the background and plot, instead, reflect on the people and things that most impacted you.

Evaluate the plot and themes, as well as how the filmmakers used special effects and music to leave a lasting impression, and the acting skills of the main characters, among other things.

Describe for the readers what the movie has taught you and other young people.

For instance, this movie teaches us significant life lessons such as the fact that parents are usually quite insightful, that appearances can be deceiving, that we are capable of dealing with any situation, and many more.

See also: How to Write a Grievance Letter | Step-by-Step Guide, Examples, & Free

This article has tried to be extensive in its descriptions We hope that it has answered all he questions you have as regards how to write a movie or film title in an essay.

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How to Format Movie Titles in Academic Writings

• by Lesley V.
• October 26, 2023

How to write a movie title in an essay?

Students, especially those in Arts, often refer to films or movie series in their papers. The formatting rules here are easy to remember. But:

They vary a bit, depending on the citation style you use.

In this post, I’ve gathered the guidelines for citing movie titles in five primary formats. Examples included, for you to compare and remember everything better.

How to Write Movie Titles in Essays

Are movie titles italicized?

It’s the most frequent question students ask when looking for this information online. Indeed, most citation formats prescribe italicizing. Other general rules include:

• Uppercase for subtitles
• Extra short movie names (like “It” ) may also go in quotations
• When using quotation marks (AP style), put punctuation inside them

Below are the details on how to format movie titles in essays and reference lists correctly.

Writing Film Titles in Different Citation Styles

For APA style (1):

• Uppercase all four-letter words and above
• Uppercase the first and the last word of a movie title, even if they are short articles (a, the) or pronouns (in, at, etc.)
• Italicize the entire name

For MLA format (2):

• Uppercase movie titles and subtitles
• Use capital letters for both parts of hyphenated words
• No uppercase for articles (a, the) and short conjunctions within the movie name
• Italicize the entire movie title

For Chicago style:

• Uppercase all main words
• Lowercase short conjunctions (below four letters) within the movie title
• Uppercase prepositions, regardless of their length

For AP citation style:

• Lowercase articles (a, the) and prepositions/conjunctions that are shorter than four letters
• Uppercase articles and prepositions/conjunctions in the beginning/end of the title
• No italics; put movie names in quotation marks

For Harvard style:

• Uppercase all primary words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.)
• Lowercase articles and prepositions/conjunctions (below four letters) within the movie title

How to Capitalize Movies in Papers

When writing a film name in a sentence, capitalize every word except for:

• Articles (a, an, the) within the movie title
• Short (below four letters) prepositions and conjunctions within the title

If a movie name begins with the above, use uppercase. Also, write long prepositions/conjunctions (moreover, although, etc.) with a capital letter. For example:

Italics vs. Quotations vs. Underlines

Most citation styles, except AP, prescribe italicization for movies and film series titles. When writing in AP, use quotation marks.

Quotes are also possible to use if you mention super short movie names like “It” or “M.” You italicize them in APA, MLA, or Chicago.

Underlines are for handwritten essays. When written by hand, you can’t italicize, huh? Use underlining instead to highlight a movie title somehow.

How to Format Punctuation in Movie Titles

If punctuation is a part of a film name, place it inside quotation marks or italicize it.

For example:

Writing Movie Titles in Reference Lists

Do You Italicize Movie Titles?

Here they go, the rules on formatting movie titles in essays. Now that you know how to write a movie title in an essay properly, the only detail remains:

Check the formatting guidelines before writing. What citation style does an educator or editor ask you to follow? If none assigned, choose one and stick to it for consistency.

References:

• https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html  
• https://lib.westfield.ma.edu/c.php?g=354010&p=2388441

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Are Movie Titles Italicized? (APA, AP, MLA, and Chicago)

Many people are unsure of the correct format to follow when it comes to how to quote a movie title in a piece of academic writing. Therefore, this page explains the different ways to correctly cite a movie title in an essay or formal paper and provides examples of citations in context.

Are Movie Titles Italicized?

When including a movie title in an essay or paper that follows APA, MLA, or Chicago, the title should always be in italics because it is a stand-alone piece of work. However, when citing a movie in AP Style, the title should be in quotation marks rather than italics.

When including a movie title as an in-text reference or on the reference list, you should always use italics if you are following APA, MLA, or Chicago styles.

In AP Style, italics are not used for anything; instead, you should place any movie, play, or book titles in quotation marks rather than italics.

Here are some examples of some citations for movies in the four styles:

APA/ Chicago styles

• The movie Fight Club (Fincher, 99) is a critique of the materialistic world in which we currently live.
• The Godfather (Coppola, 74) is the film that put Francis Ford Coppola on the map as a director.
• The closing scenes of the Godfather are praised for the artistic merit of the content. ( Godfather , 2:20:00 – 2:23:45)
• The movie “Fight Club” is regarded as one of Edward Norton`s finest performances.
• Fincher, D, (Director). (1999). Fight Club {Film}, Propaganda Films. “Netflix” App. https://www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/26004747
• Fight Club. Directed by David Fincher, Propaganda Films, 1999. https://www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/26004747
• Fincher, David, Director. 1999. Fight Club . Propaganda Films. 139 minutes. https://www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/26004747

Are Movie Titles Quoted?

In APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, it is not necessary to use quotation marks for movie titles, and they should instead be placed in italics. However, for AP Style, where italics are rare, it is necessary to use quotation marks around the title of the movie.

Are Movie Titles Italicized in APA Style?

When citing a movie or film in APA Style, you should use italics for in-text citations and on the reference list because a movie is a stand-alone work.

Here are some examples of how to include a movie in an APA Style document:

As an in-text citation, you just need to include the director, year, and, if relevant, the part of the movie you are referencing.

For example:

• Forrest Gump highlighted many important events in US history, such as the Vietnam war and the civil rights movement (Zemeckis, 94).

On the reference page, the listing should look like this:

• Zemeckis, R, (Director). (1994). Forrest Gump {Film}. Paramount Pictures.

Also, if you watched the film on a streaming site, you need to add that too:

• Zemeckis, R, (Director). (1994). Forrest Gump {Film}. Paramount Pictures. https://www.netflix.com/mx/title/60000724

Are Movie Titles Italicized in AP Style?

In AP Style, it is not common to use italics for anything, including movie titles. Instead of italics, movie titles should be placed inside quotation marks when citing a movie name in-text. Furthermore, AP Style documents do not usually contain a reference list, so you do not need to list the reference at the end of the paper.

Here are some examples of how a movie title looks in AP Style:

• “Apocolypse Now” is the highest-grossing movie about the Vietnam war.
• Keanu Reeves returns in the 2021 film based on the classic film trilogy “The Matrix.”

Are Movie Titles Italicized in Chicago Style?

When writing an essay in Chicago Style, it is necessary to use italics when quoting films for both in-text citations and on the reference list because films are an example of a stand-alone piece of work, similar to a book, play, or song.

Here are some examples of how to include a movie in Chicago Style formatting:

• The movie Parasite was the first film for which a foreigner won the Oscar for best director (Bong, 19).
• Bong, Joon-ho, director. Parasite . 2019, Curzon Artificial Eye. 2 hrs, 11 mins. Blu-ray Disc, 1080p HD.

(If you watched the film on a streaming site, then you should list that instead of the DVD information).

Are Movie Titles Italicized in MLA Style?

When citing a movie in an MLA piece of writing, you should always use italics for the movie title for both in-text citations and on the reference list.

For an in-text citation, it is common to just use the name of the movie with the time frame of the point you are referring to, if applicable; if not, you can simply use the movie title with no time reference.

Here are some examples of how movie references in MLA Style would look:

• The movie Parasite is Joon-ho Bong`s most successful film to date (Parasite )
• The closing scenes of Parasite left viewers in shock at the brutality portrayed by the characters ( Parasite, 2:00:00 – 2:10:00).

This is how the listing should appear on the reference list:

• Parasite . Directed by Joon-ho Bong, CJ Entertainment, 2019. https://www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/81221938

Final Thoughts

When citing a movie in an essay or piece of formal writing that follows APA, MLA, or Chicago styles, you should always use italics for the title. However, for AP Style, you should use quotation marks rather than italics for the titles of movies.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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Are Movies Italicized?

• 3-minute read
• 16th September 2023

If you’ve ever found yourself hesitating before handing in a paper because you’re wondering whether the movie titles you refer to should be italicized, you’re not alone. Proper formatting of movie titles can be tricky, especially when following different style guides for various writing purposes.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the rules and conventions regarding italicizing movie titles in different contexts, from essays to news articles to blog posts.

Should You Italicize Movie Titles in an Essay?

In academic writing, maintaining consistent formatting is essential for clarity and professionalism. When it comes to movie titles in essays, the general rule is to italicize them. This will help to differentiate them from the rest of the text, making your paper more organized and readable. For example:

But the final answer, of course, will depend on your style guide.

Should You Italicize Movie Titles for MLA?

The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides specific guidelines for formatting essays and research papers. It’s often required for humanities courses, especially English and literature. According to MLA style , you should italicize movie titles. For example:

Should You Italicize Movie Titles in APA?

American Psychological Association (APA) style , commonly used in social sciences, has different rules for formatting movie titles. In APA style, movie titles are also italicized , but note that APA has different rules than other style guides when it comes to capitalization of titles in general.

In APA, you write the movie title with title case (all major words capitalized) in the main body of an essay, but in the reference list, the title should use sentence case (except for proper nouns and words following a colon). For example:

In both cases, the movie title is italicized.

Should You Italicize Movie Titles in Chicago/Turabian?

The Chicago Manual of Style and Turabian style , often used in history and other social sciences, align with the general practice of italicizing movie titles. Here’s an example:

Should You Italicize Movie Titles in News or Web Articles in AP Style?

When writing for news articles or web content following the Associated Press (AP) style , movie titles are placed in quotation marks rather than italicized. AP Style doesn’t use italics. For example:

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Remember to consult the specific style guide required for your writing to ensure accurate formatting. Properly formatted movie titles enhance the overall professionalism and readability of your work.

Here’s a quick rundown of the guidelines of this post:

●  In essays: Typically, movie titles are italicized for clarity and consistency. But check your style guide!

○  In MLA style: Italicize movie titles.

○  In APA style: Italicize movie titles but pay attention to title capitalization guidelines for the main body of the paper vs. the reference list.

○  In Chicago/Turabian style: Italicize movie titles.

○  In AP style for news or web articles: Place movie titles in quotation marks.

So, the next time you’re discussing your favorite films, you’ll know just how to format their titles with confidence.

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APA Style (7th Edition) Citation Guide: Films/Videos/TV Shows

• Introduction
• Journal Articles
• Magazine/Newspaper Articles
• Books & Ebooks
• Government & Legal Documents
• Biblical Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Films/Videos/TV Shows
• How to Cite: Other
• Additional Help

Table of Contents

Film or Video

Streaming Video From a Website (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

Streaming video from a subscription media website (netflix, amazon prime, hulu, etc.), streaming video from a library database, television series episode.

Note: All citations should be double spaced and have a hanging indent in a Reference List.

A "hanging indent" means that each subsequent line after the first line of your citation should be indented by 0.5 inches.

This Microsoft support page contains instructions about how to format a hanging indent in a paper.

Who to Credit - Film or Video

The director should be credited as the author of a film. If the director is unknown, someone in a similar role, such as a producer and/or writer, can be credited. To clarify what role the person has in the production, their job title such as Director is put after their name in round brackets if the job title is known.

Who to Credit - Streaming Video from a Website

For videos from websites such as YouTube or Vimeo, credit the person who posted the content. If a real name is provided, use that followed by the person's user name in square brackets. If the real name of the person who posted the content is not known, just use their user name without brackets.

Note : It is not necessary to specify how you watched a film or video (e.g. motion picture, DVD, streaming online). 

In the Body of a Paper

Books, Journals, Reports, Webpages, etc.: When you refer to titles of a “stand-alone work,” as the APA calls them on their APA Style website, such as books, journals, reports, and webpages, you should italicize them. Capitalize words as you would for an article title in a reference, e.g., In the book Crying in H Mart: A memoir , author Michelle Zauner (2021) describes her biracial origin and its impact on her identity.

Article or Chapter: When you refer to the title of a part of a work, such as an article or a chapter, put quotation marks around the title and capitalize it as you would for a journal title in a reference, e.g., In the chapter “Where’s the Wine,” Zauner (2021) describes how she decided to become a musician.

The APA Sample Paper below has more information about formatting your paper.

• APA 7th ed. Sample Paper

Film or Video

When the Director, Producer and/or Writer is known:

Director/Producer/Writer's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Job Title). (Year film was produced).  Title of film: Subtitle if any  [Film]. Production Company.

Note: If not produced in the United States, list the city name and the country.

Hallam, J. (Producer, Writer), & Lam, K. (Producer, Director). (2010).  Staff relations in healthcare: Working as a team  [Film]. Insight Media.

• When you have more than one producer, writer and/or writer to credit, separate the names with a comma and put an ampersand (&) before the last person's last name.
• Serling, R. (Executive Producer). (1959–1964). The twilight zone [TV series]. Cayuga Productions; CBS Productions.

In-Text Paraphrase:

(Producer/Director/Writer's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Hallam & Lam, 2010)

Note: This example has two people to credit, so both last names are given)

In-Text Quote:

(Producer/Director/Writer's Last Name, Year, Timestamp)

Example: (Hallam & Lam, 2010, 2:30)

Note: Because the timestamp serves the same purpose in a video as page numbers, paragraph numbers or section headings, you include it in the in-text citation. Include only the beginning timestamp.

When the Director, Producer and/or Writer is not known:  Start the citation with the film title.

Title of film: Subtitle if any  [Film]. (Year film was produced). Production Company if Known.

Era of viruses  [Film]. (2006). Films for the Humanities and Sciences.

( Title of Film , Year)

Example: ( Era of Viruses , 2006)

Note: Italicize the title of the film and capitalize the words for the in-text citation.

( Title of Film , Year, Timestamp)

Example: ( Era of Viruses , 2006, 40:00)

When the Poster's Name is known: 

Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial. of person who posted the video if known. [User name that posted the video]. (Year video was posted, Month Day).  Title of video  [Video]. Website Name. URL

Note: According to APA, for citing purposes the person who posted the video is credited as the author.

Nye, B. [TheRealBillNye]. (2009, April 8).  Bill Nye the science guy on energy  [Video]. YouTube. http://youtu.be/0ASLLiuejAo

(Creator's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Nye, 2009)

(Creator's Last Name, Year, timestamp)

Example: (Nye, 2009, 0:55)

When the Poster's Name is not known: 

User name that posted the video. (Year video was posted, Month Day).  Title of video  [Video]. Website Name. URL

All Aces Media. (2012, January 19).  Often awesome the series  [Video]. Vimeo. http://vimeo.com/35311255

(User name, Year)

Example: (All Aces Media, 2012)

Example: (All Aces Media, 2012, timestamp)

Producer's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if Given. (Producer). (Year of Publication).  Title of Video  [Video]. Website Name. URL

Note:  When you have one producer (Producer) is used after the producer's name. If you have more than one producer use (Producers) instead.

Allen, T., et. al. (Producers). (2017). The story of Diana  [Video]. Netflix. http://www.netflix.com

(Producer Last name, Year)

Example: (Allen, et. al., 2017)

(Producer Last name, Year, Timestamp)

Example: (Allen, et. al., 2017, 6:45)

Name of Company/Organization that Provided Content or Creator's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial. if known. (Year video was created, Month Day if known).  Title of video  [Video]. Database Name.

National Film Board of Canada. (2014).  Making movie history: The women  [Video]. NFB Campus. 

(Name of Company/Organization, Year)

Example: (National Film Board of Canada, 2014)

(Name of Company/Organization, Year, Timestamp)

Writer, Producer and/or Director's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Job Title) if known. (Year the episode was originally aired). Title of episode (Season No., Episode No.) [TV series episode]. In Executive Producer's First Initial. Last Name (Executive producer) if known,  Television series name . Production Company.

Note: For other countries, list the city name and the country.

Young, R. (Writer, Producer, Director). (2010). Flying cheap (Season 2010, Episode 2) [TV series episode]. In  Frontline . American University School of Communication's Investigative Reporting Workshop.

(Writer, Producer and/or Director's Last Name, Year)

Example: (Young, 2010)

(Writer, Producer and/or Director's Last Name, Year, Timestamp)

Example: (Young, 2010, 15:38)

Television Series Episode Viewed on a Subscription Media Website 

Writer, Producer and/or Director's Last Name, First Initial. Second Initial if given. (Job Title) if known. (Year the episode was originally aired). Title of episode (Season No., Episode No.) [TV series episode]. In Executive Producer's First Initial. Last Name (Executive producer) if known,  Television series name . Streaming Video Site. URL

Attenborough, D. (Writer). (2001). Ocean world (Season 1, Episode 1) [TV series episode]. In A. Fothergill (Executive producer),  Blue planet: A natural history of the oceans . Netflix. http://www.netflix.com

Example: (Attenborough, 2001)

 (Writer, Producer and/or Director's Last Name, Year, Timestamp)

Example: (Attenborough, 2001, 10:12)

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How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay or Article

When you're writing a paper or article in school or at work, you may be in a situation where you need to write a movie title in your writing. But how should you format them? Should you use italics? Or quotation marks? Or maybe both? Or neither…

The first thing to note is that the rules will be different depending on whether you’re writing an article or an essay. In this guide, we'll explain how to write one in an essay or article so that your writing looks professional and polished. Refer to the relevant section, depending on the piece you are creating. 

The main things to know are:

• If you are writing a movie title in an article, the format you use is up to you (or the company you work for). Pick a format and stick to it.
• If you are writing a movie title in an essay, then you should follow your university's or employer's referencing style guidelines. 

Read on for suggestions of different formats for articles, and more in-depth guidance around different university referencing styles.

How to Write a Movie Title in an Article 

Let's begin by exploring why you need a specific format, and examining some key principles and rules around writing a movie title in an article.

Why You Need a Specific Format 

So picture this. You’re writing an article and want to refer to a particular movie - perhaps to illustrate a point, or maybe you’re critiquing it. But you’re unsure how to format it. You don’t want to be marked down for formatting it incorrectly, so you consider leaving it out to avoid the trouble. Not on our watch!

But hold on a sec! Why should you even worry about this? Why do movie titles need to be formatted correctly anyway? Well, it’s simple really. If you don’t differentiate the title from the rest of the text, your readers might not understand you’re referring to a movie title. Imagine, for instance, that you wrote:

I finally got around to watching three billboards outside ebbing missouri.

Can we agree this sentence doesn’t make any sense? With this punctuation (i.e. none) your reader may well believe that you headed out into the night and found a couple of billboards to look at for some time. 

So do you see why it’s important to have some kind of format for writing movie titles? 

Key Principles and Rules

Now here’s the tricky bit: with articles, there’s no hard and fast rule on how to format a movie title in your writing. There are many different options and any of them would be acceptable to use in an article you’re going to publish online or physically. 

So what to do?

Our first advice is to check in with your editor/head of copywriting / your point of reference at the company you work at. They will most likely have a specific format they like to use and will be able to share that with you.

That’s if you are writing for a company.

If you’re self-publishing, say, for example, on your website or Medium.com, then you’re the boss, friend. The conventions you use are completely up to you. 

But here are a few key principles and rules:

• Common conventions are to use italics or quotations marks
• Choose one format and stick with it - not only throughout the article but in everything you write
• Keep an eye out for the correct spelling of the movie. For example, don’t forget the comma in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. 
• Title case is a great way to further demarcate the movie title from the rest of the text to make it abundantly clear that it’s a movie title.

How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay 

Now let's turn our attention towards writing a movie title in an essay.

New scenario. You’re writing an essay for your college or university course. Perhaps you’re using the movie as an example, or maybe you’re critiquing it.

But you don’t want to be marked down for getting it wrong, so you consider avoiding mentioning it altogether. But that would be a shame! Let us help you. 

Here are some general rules to get you started:

• Follow the rules of your school’s academic writing style (APA, MLA, AP, or Chicago.)
• Use title case
• Use italics or quotation marks (depending on the writing style)

Academic Referencing Styles

There are different academic referencing/writing styles in the English language, and these vary depending on the education establishment. Different styles have different rules that govern the way that you might write, punctuate and cite within your essay.

The four most common styles are Associated Press (AP), Chicago, American Psychological Association (APA), and Modern Language Association (MLA).

Of course, there are many more than just four in existence, but these are the prevalent ones. 

But why are there so many different writing styles, we hear you ask? Quite simply, this is to cater to different fields. For instance, the scientific sector places a lot of importance on using recent research, hence the APA style places the date before anything. Humanities tend to use the MLA style which places the author's name first. 

Write a Movie Title in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles

Luckily, the APA, MLA, and Chicago styles all use the same format for movie titles, so it’ll be easy to remember.

These styles all require that you place the movie title in italics. Here are some examples:

• Saving Private Ryan
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 

Do not use any quotation marks! This is not necessary and will be considered incorrect.

You’ll also notice that the title is written in the title case. This means you capitalize certain words in the title. More on that in the next section.

Write a Movie Title in AP style

The AP style is the exception here since it does not use italics to format movie titles. Instead, you’re required to use quotation marks. Let’s use the same examples as above, to make the difference clear:

• “Kill Bill”
• “Saving Private Ryan”
• “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”

Again, here, remember to use title case. 

Write a Movie Title in Title Case

Using title case means that you capitalize certain words in the title. But depending on the writing style you’re using, there are different rules on which words need capitalizing and which ones don't. Mostly, they disagree on whether or not to capitalize minor words.

Read on to find out the rules for each style, to ensure you’re writing it correctly. 

Note that if you’re writing an article, this will again depend on the rules that the company you work for is using, or if you’re writing for your own business, then you can make your own rules. Remember to pick a structure and stick to it. Consistency is key!

• Capitalize the major words.
• Lowercase the articles the, a, and an.
• Capitalize the ‘to’ in an infinitive (e.g., I Want To Eat Cake)
• Capitalize the first and last words (overrides other rules)
• Capitalize all words of four letters or more (overrides other rules)
• Lowercase the second word after a hyphenated prefix

Chicago Style

• Lowercase articles, prepositions, and coordinating conjunctions
• Lowercase the second part of Latin species names.
• Lowercase articles, prepositions, and coordinating conjunctions.
• Do NOT capitalize ‘to’ in infinitives (e.g., I Want to Eat Cake).

As you can see, all four styles share some common rules but are different in certain small details. 

Incorrect ways to write a movie title

Here are some examples of incorrect ways to write a movie title:

• Saving private ryan
• Eternal SUNSHINE of a Spotless Mind
• “Shawshank Redemption”
• One Flew Over the cuckoo’s Nest

Can you figure out what is wrong with each of these examples? We’ll give you a clue! It has to do with incorrect usage of title cases, block capitals and quotation marks.

A note on reference lists

We just wanted to include a little note here to remind you that when citing a movie in your essay, you should include it in your reference list, or bibliography, depending on the academic writing style you are using. 

Again, the structure of your reference list will vary depending on whether you’re writing in APA, AP, MLA or Chicago, and you can find guidance on this in an official manual for the style (or online).

Other Points of Interest

There are some other things you might be interested in knowing that are related to the topic of how to write a movie title in an essay or article, so we’re detailing those below.

How to write a quote from a movie

So you’ve successfully referenced a movie using the rules outlined above. Now you’d like to quote a line from the movie. Which conventions should you use for this? 

For this, you would use quotation marks. For instance, if you want to quote this famous line from the movie Star Wars , you would write: “May the force be with you.”

Remember that if you’re writing an essay, you might need to also include the reference in your in-text citation. Let us show you a full example of what this would look like:

History was made when General Dodonna said “May the force be with you.” in the iconic movie Star Wars (Lucas, 1977).

How to write the name of an episode of a TV show 

If you wanted to cite a TV series, you would follow the same rules as those for citing a movie - as outlined above. But what if you also wanted to include the name of the episode you’re referring to? 

Similarly to inserting a direct quote from a movie, in this case, we recommend using quotation marks. For example:

Friends , “The One Where Everybody Finds Out.”

If writing an essay, please refer to your academic writing style’s guide to learn about conventions around formatting and using title case.

Where does the word ‘movie’ come from?

Dating back as far as the early 1900s, the word ‘movie’ stems from the term ‘moving picture’.

Before they could be projected onto a screen for wider viewing, the first movies could only be seen by one person at a time, using an Electrotachyscope, Kinetoscope, or Mutoscope.

And there we have it! We hope that this article has helped you better understand the conventions around writing a movie title in your essay or article, so you can feel confident about handing in your essay or turning in your article to your line manager.

To summarize, when you’re writing an article, the rules are pretty much up to you if writing for your own business, or your manager if writing for another company. Check-in with them to find out which conventions are already in place.

If writing an essay, then you should always use the structure set out in the academic writing style’s manual. Find out first of all which style you are expected to use. 

Now that that's done, it's time to get writing! 

Learn More:

• 'Dos and Don'ts': How to Write Them With Proper Grammar
• How to Write a List Correctly: Colons, Commas, and Semicolons
• ‘Right’ vs ‘Write’ vs ‘Rite’ vs ‘Wright’: What’s the Difference?
• How to Write Height Correctly - Writing Feet and Inches
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• How to Write Comedy: Tips and Examples to Make People Laugh
• How to Write an Inequality: From Number Lines or Word Problems
• How to Write a Monologue: Tips and Examples
• How to Write a Letter to the President (With Example)
• How to Write Like Ernest Hemingway
• How to Write a Follow-Up Email After an Interview
• How to Write a Formal Email
• How to Write a 2-Week Notice Email
• How to Write an Out-of-Office (OOO) Email
• How to Write a Professional ‘Thank You’ Email

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How to Write a Title of a Movie in a Paper

The formatting and capitalization of a movie title depends on the style guide you are using for your paper. The Modern Language Association, American Psychological Association and Chicago style place movie titles in italics, while Associated Press style uses quotes for such titles. When referring to a movie in the body of a paper, all of the major style guides use title case, which means all of the major words in the title are capitalized.

APA, MLA and Chicago style

Movie or film titles are formatted the same in APA, Chicago and MLA style. In each of these styles, the movie title is italicized in the body of the paper. For instance:

Pirates of the Caribbean broke from Disney's tradition of releasing more mature titles under alternate studio names.

Fritz Lang's M deals with the issues of suspicion and punishment in Weimar Germany.

In the body of a paper, APA, Chicago and MLA all use title case capitalization for titles of movies. All major words -- such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and pronouns -- are capitalized. Minor words -- such as prepositions, conjunctions and articles -- are lower case unless it is the first word of the title.

APA also specifies that all words more than four letters should be capitalized: Gone With the Wind . APA uses sentence case capitalization for movie titles in reference lists, which means only the first word of a title and proper nouns (names of specific people, places or things) are capitalized: For whom the bell tolls .

Associated Press Style

In AP style, movie titles are placed in quotes. Note that the normal rules for quotes within quotes still apply. Here are two examples:

"Star Wars" broke box office records when it was first released.

"I am excited to work on any film as complex as 'The Prestige,'" he said.

AP style uses title case capitalization for movie titles. However, the AP stylebook specifies that any word that is four or more letters as well as the first and last word of a title should always be capitalized.

• Rasmussen College: When writing a paper, do I use italics for all titles?
• Purdue University Online Writing Lab: MLA Formatting and Style Guide
• The Chicago Manual of Style Online: Capitalization, Titles
• RMIT University: Harvard Referencing Guide for Visual Material
• Journalist's Resource: Associated Press Style Basics

Jon Zamboni began writing professionally in 2010. He has previously written for The Spiritual Herald, an urban health care and religious issues newspaper based in New York City, and online music magazine eBurban. Zamboni has a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies from Wesleyan University.

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Do you underline movie titles?

The style you are using should guide you on how to format your movie title. Formatting and capitalization in the different methods vary. These styles include the Chicago formatting style, American Psychological Association, and Modern Language Association techniques which all place titles of movies in italics. Other styles such as the Associated Press (AP) usually adopt quotations for movie titles.

About a movie title in the body of a given work or paper, all the listed styles above use title casing in that all the keywords within the work’s title are capitalized.

In APA, MLA and Chicago styles, film or movie titles are formatted the same. In each of these styles, you should not underline movie titles – instead, they should be written in italics in the body of the text. An instance of this is as outlined below: Avengers: Endgame  has received heavy critic reviews for satisfying the past to deliver nothing short of a thrilling and emotional conclusion to superhero adventure.

The APA, MLA, and Chicago styles all use the case capitalization for the movie titles. All wordings, from nouns to pronouns, adjectives, verbs to adverbs are all capitalized. Nonetheless, minor wording such as conjunctions and prepositions use the lower case in the text unless they are the beginning words in the title.

It is a rule that under APA, all words that have more than four letters should be capitalized. For instance:  Rick and Morty . In the reference lists, APA employs sentence case capitalization which translates that only the first words of the title, for example:  For Whom the bell tolls  and proper nouns such as place names and people names should be capitalized.

Under the AP style, the titles of movies are put in quotations. It is worth mentioning that standard rules for quotes within other quotes still apply. A good instance of this is: The 2019 “Avengers: Endgame” broke the IMAX and Box office worldwide opening record to beat “Star Wars” which was the previous record holder.

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Use of Italics

This page addresses when to use italics, when to avoid italics, how to use italics for emphasis, and when to use reverse italics. Additional cases and examples are provided in the Publication Manual ; users’ most common questions are addressed here.

When to use italics

In APA Style papers, use italics for the following cases:

When not to use italics

Do not use italics for the following cases in APA Style papers:

Italics for emphasis

In general, avoid using italics for emphasis. Instead, rewrite your sentence to provide emphasis. For example, place important words or phrases at the beginning or end of a sentence instead of in the middle, or break long sentences into several shorter sentences.

However, do use italics if emphasis might otherwise be lost or the material might be misread, as in the following example.

Whereas creative self-efficacy typically focuses on confidence beliefs prior to engaging in creative endeavors, perceived creative credit focuses on the beliefs developed after engaging in creative tasks (Ng & Yam, 2019, p. 1146).

If you add emphasis to a direct quotation, place the words “[emphasis added]” in square brackets after the words you have italicized.

Research on creativity indicates that “promoting creativity without attending to the subsequent psychological and behavioral changes decreases rather than increases [emphasis added] organizational performance over the long run” (Ng & Yam, 2019, p. 1157).

Reverse italics

When words that would normally be italicized appear within text that is already italicized, those words should be set in standard (nonitalic) type, referred to as reverse italicization . For example, if an italic symbol appears in a table title (which is also italicized), use standard type for the symbol.

Demographic Characteristics of Study Participants ( N = 250)

Italics and reverse italics are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Sections 6.22 and 6.23 and the Concise Guide Sections 4.15 and 4.16

From the APA Style blog

Navigating the not-so-hidden treasures of the APA Style website

This post links directly to APA Style topics of interest that users may not even know exist on the website.

Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > Do You Italicize Movie Titles? Become An Essay Pro

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Do You Italicize Movie Titles? Become An Essay Pro

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: May 16, 2021

Do you italicize movie titles? How many times have you been writing an essay, and suddenly you can’t remember whether to use italics, quotation marks, or other formats?

The short answer is that movie titles are always italicized. Read on to find out more about italics, and other important formatting tools in order to become an essay pro.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly when to use italics and quotations whenever you’re writing about movies and TV shows.

What Is Considered A Movie?

First, let’s get our definitions straightened up. What’s the difference between a movie, and let’s say, a clip on YouTube or a short film?

In general, most of us know what a movie is when we see it, but for the sake of clarification, movies do not include YouTube clips, short movies (such as Pixar’s shorts), or TV show episodes.

Movie Titles: Formatting In The Past

Before computers became commonplace, italicizing, underlining, and putting titles in “quotations” were considered to be equal and interchangeable, as long as you were consistent throughout your paper. This is because these tools were used for emphasis, as opposed to specific grammar rules. Typewriters, for example, did not have the ability to italicize or underline, and so there weren’t any strict rules.

Movie Titles Now

With the invention and increased use of computers, you’ll find that the rules concerning emphasis are much stricter, and it will be very important to know the difference if you’re writing a paper in college.

Now with the computer’s ability to format with the click of a button, movie titles are always italicized.

The only exception is when you are writing by hand, in which case the movie title would be underlined.

Below are some example sentences to demonstrate the different emphasis put on movie and TV show titles.

• Matilda was an all-time favorite movie in my home.
• Disney’s Alice in Wonderland is based on the books, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, by Lewis Carroll.
• The Netflix series, Workin’ Moms, is based on Catherine Reitman’s experiences as a working mother of two children.
• The TV show, Young Sheldon, centers around the early life of Sheldon Cooper, an eccentric character in The Big Bang Theory.
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in June of 1997.

Some More Rules You May Want To Know

Although the titles of movies and TV shows are always italicized, it’s important to note that the titles of specific scenes or episodes, as well as short films, are treated as shorter works, and are therefore put in “quotations.”

Though movie scenes rarely have titles, this rule is more relevant to TV show episodes and scenes from plays.

Below are some example sentences to demonstrate the different emphasis put on movie and TV show titles in comparison with specific scenes or episodes.

• My favorite Friends episode is “The One With the Holiday Armadillo.”
• The first episode of The Big Bang Theory, entitled “Pilot,” aired on September 24, 2007.
• The Pixar short, “Bao,” which appeared in the initial release in Incredibles 2, won an Oscar Award for Best Animated Short Film.
• The jumping desk lamp that became Pixar’s famous icon was originally introduced in a Pixar short called “Luxo Jr.”
• In the episode, “The Pitch,” Seinfeld and George propose a TV show about nothing, which was the show’s way of poking fun at Seinfeld’s original premise.

Why Is Proper Formatting 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.

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.

Cheat Sheet

Titles in italics.

• Title of a movie or play
• Titles of a TV or radio series
• Title of a book
• Titles of magazines, journals, or newspapers
• Title of music album
• Title of a long poem
• Title of an opera
• Titles of paintings or sculptures

Titles In “Quotations”

• Title of a chapter in a book
• Title of an TV or radio series episode
• Name of an act or scene in a movie/play
• Title of a song
• Title of a short poem
• Title of an article or paper

The Bottom Line

So, do you italicize movie titles? In short, yes. Movie titles, as well as TV show titles, are italicized. We hope you learned a little bit about the history of italics, when to use italics and quotations, and the reasons why proper formatting is important for your education and career.

In this article

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Italics and Underlining in English

One of the problems, when we learn English online , is the confusion that surrounds the type of punctuation and formatting used when referring to written works such as books, articles, and poems. The same questions also arise when referring to movie, song, and television show titles.

It should be pointed out that there are no hard and fast grammar rules for formatting or punctuating these items; they are a matter of style. Technically a writer can use any formatting they wish, but adhering to a particular style helps ensure readers fully understand what the writer intended.

Some of the confusion arises due to the fact that different publications, institutions, and schools often use different style guides. The major style guides, Chicago Manual of Style , the AMA Manual of Style , and the AP Style Guide generally follow the same rules, but minor variations occur. The variations and idiosyncrasies occur more often in the lesser used or more specialized style guides.

Another source of confusion to some writers derives from their reading experience. Thousands of articles, papers, and publications exist where underlining is used to emphasis text and to indicate book titles and other works. While there is nothing inherently incorrect with using underlines in a paper or article, underlining is considered an obsolete method of formatting and should generally be avoided.

This change in formatting is another example of how the web, the rise of word processors, and other technological advances have changed styles and standards for both formal and informal writings.

In this article we will give you the formatting and punctuation guidelines for a number of specific types of works.

Do You Italicize Book Titles?

Books are considered as complete bodies of work. When writing about a book the title is italicized. It should be noted that italics is used only when the title is used in a text, meaning surrounded by other words. The italics are used to make the title stand apart from the other text.

Italics are not used for title pages and other places where the title stands alone.

The book title rule basically applies to any big or standalone work, such as a newspaper or magazine. Websites are typically considered a standalone work and the web address is italicized.

Do You Italicize Movie Titles?

Movies are considered to be large standalone pieces. They are therefore subject to the same rules as book titles and are italicized when referred to in an article.

Do You Italicize TV Shows?

Television shows present an interesting set of rules. Whether to italicize depends on whether you are referring to the series or an episode.

The series title is italicized; the episode is in quotation marks.

Here’s an example:

My favourite Big Bang Theory episode is “The Proton Regeneration”.

Do You Italicize Article Titles?

Article titles are treated much like an episode of a television show. When discussing the article it is placed in quotation marks. The title of the publication, or website, where the article is found is written in italics.

Do You Italicize Song Titles?

Song titles are treated like articles and television shows. In most cases the song tiles is placed in quotation marks. The album the song comes from is placed in italics.

Do You Italicize Poem Titles?

The titles of poems are generally placed in quotation marks. However, like many aspects of written English there are some exceptions. If you are referring to an epic poem, such as The Iliad , Beowulf, or Paradise Lost , the title is italicized.

Do You Italicize Company Names?

Company names are treated the same as an individual’s name and are not italicized nor placed in quotation marks. Company names are always capitalized.

Underlining Titles

Often writers will ask it you underline books titles, underline movie titles, underline show titles, underline article titles, or underline song titles.

In general, the answer to this is always “no.”

There is nothing wrong with using underlines, but this as we mentioned earlier this is considered an obsolete, outdated formatting tool and should be avoided.

Using underlines in academic papers often counts against the writer’s overall grade since this formatting convention is no longer in the style guide.

General Guidelines

There is little doubt that if you send just a small amount of time looking at various publications you will soon find articles that treat titles of books, movies, songs and other works differently. It is important to note that those writers are not making grammar mistakes but are adhering to a particular style.

If you are in doubt about how to handle titles of works it is always a good idea to ask what style is used.

In all honesty, the main area where differences in formatting can create a problem is in academic work. Fortunately, most colleges and universities are very good at explaining the style they want students to follow.

In general, here are the main rules for formatting and underlining:

– **Large, complete, standalone works such as books, movies, publications, websites, epic poems, operas, and television shows are italicized. ** – Shorter works such as specific episodes of a television series, song titles, poems, short stories, magazine articles, and newspaper articles are surrounded by quotation marks.

While you will still occasionally see book, movie, newspaper and television shows underlined, this is considered an obsolete formatting option and should generally be avoided.

Article related: The Oxford Comma

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Do You Underline Titles of Movies When Writing? Correct Approach

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.

1. Understanding the importance of formatting in writing: Movie titles

2. formatting rules for movie titles: underlining or italics, 3. the evolution of formatting guidelines for movie titles, 4. the modern standard: italics instead of underlining movie titles, 5. consistency is key: applying formatting rules to different types of media titles, 6. tips for writing movie titles in academics, journalism, and creative writing, 7. easy guide to formatting movie titles in professional documents, 8. final takeaway: embrace the modern practice of italicizing movie titles, frequently asked questions, key takeaways.

In the world of writing, it is often debated whether or not to underline titles of movies. While different style guides may have varying opinions, the correct approach is to use italics instead of underlining. Here are a few reasons why italicizing movie titles is the preferred option:

1. Consistency: Italicizing titles, including movie titles, adds consistency to your writing style. It helps differentiate titles from regular text, ensuring they stand out appropriately.

2. Clarity: By using italics, readers can easily identify when a title is being referenced. It makes the text more visually appealing and guides the reader’s focus to the movie title itself.

3. International Standards: Italicizing titles has become the standard practice in most international writing styles. Whether it’s the Modern Language Association (MLA) style or the American Psychological Association (APA) style, the use of italics for movie titles is widely accepted.

When writing about movies, remember to always italicize the titles to adhere to proper formatting guidelines. By doing so, you enhance the readability and professionalism of your writing, allowing your words to flow seamlessly and captivate your readers.

One key aspect of writing that often gets overlooked is the importance of proper formatting, especially when it comes to movie titles. Formatting movie titles correctly not only adds a professional touch to your writing, but it also respects the art and creativity behind the film. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to formatting movie titles:

– Capitalization: Movie titles should always be capitalized, both in the title and within the body of your text. This includes all principal words, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. However, conjunctions, articles, and prepositions with fewer than four letters should be in lowercase, unless they are the first or last word of the title.

– Italics: Movie titles should be italicized or written in a different font style to set them apart from the rest of your text. This not only helps to visually distinguish the title, but it also indicates to the reader that you are referring to a specific film. By using italics, you give the title the emphasis it deserves.

– Punctuation: When it comes to punctuating movie titles, different types of works require different formatting. For example, feature-length films and documentaries should be italicized or underlined, followed by a comma. On the other hand, shorter works, such as TV episodes or short films, should be enclosed in quotation marks. Punctuation marks, like periods and commas, should still be used within the title as necessary.

When it comes to formatting rules for movie titles, underlining or italics are the two commonly used methods. Both techniques serve to distinguish the title from the rest of the text and highlight its importance. However, in modern writing, underlining movie titles is considered outdated and is generally not recommended. Instead, using italics is the preferred option as it provides a more visually appealing and professional look.

To italicize a movie title, you can simply enclose it within the tags in HTML or use the respective formatting option in word processors. It is important to note that the title of the movie should be italicized in all references within your writing, including in-text citations and the reference list. Using italics allows for clear differentiation of movie titles from surrounding text and helps maintain consistency throughout your work.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that movie titles should also be capitalized according to specific style guidelines. For example, in APA style, the first word and all major words in a movie title should be capitalized, while minor words such as “a,” “an,” or “the” are not unless they are the first word of the title. Proper capitalization further enhances the readability and professionalism of your work, making it easier for readers to identify the movie titles you mention. So, remember to properly format and capitalize movie titles in your writing to maintain consistency and adhere to stylistic conventions.

With the ever-changing landscape of the movie industry, formatting guidelines for movie titles have undergone a fascinating evolution. These guidelines play a crucial role in establishing consistency and clarity in movie branding across different platforms and media channels. Let’s delve into the major milestones that have shaped the formatting conventions for movie titles over the years.

1. Capitalization rules: In the early days of cinema, movie titles followed a more relaxed capitalization format, often mimicking the style of newspaper headlines. However, as the industry matured, a standardized approach emerged. Today, movie titles typically employ title casing, where the first and last words are capitalized, along with all major words in between (e.g., “The Shawshank Redemption”).

2. Punctation and special characters: Pioneering filmmakers weren’t hesitant to experiment with punctation and special characters in their movie titles. Over time, however, these creative liberties gave way to a preference for simplicity and ease of reading. Today, it is common to omit excessive punctuation and special characters, although some exceptions remain, particularly with stylized or unconventional film titles that aim to capture attention (e.g., “Pulp Fiction” or “Se7en”). This facilitates legibility and ensures seamless integration across various marketing channels.

3. Conventions for sequels and franchise titles: As movie franchises gained popularity, establishing a consistent format for sequels and related titles became paramount. The use of numbers, colons, or subtitles became prevalent to indicate the continuity within a cinematic universe (e.g., “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” or “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”). This practice allows fans to easily identify movies within a series and fosters brand recognition.

4. Digital adaptations: With the rise of digital platforms, formatting guidelines for movie titles have had to adapt to the constraints and opportunities presented by the online world. HTML formatting plays a vital role in highlighting significant details or emphasizing certain aspects of a title. For instance, bold or italicized text can be employed to draw attention to specific words or add visual impact, enhancing the overall presentation of the movie’s title in online listings and promotional materials.

In the ever-evolving world of language and typography, italics have become the preferred method for indicating movie titles. Gone are the days when underlining was the go-to method for emphasizing titles. Italics bring a sense of modernity and sophistication to the written word, enhancing the overall readability and visual appeal of the text.

Using italics to highlight movie titles makes them stand out more clearly, capturing the reader’s attention and conveying importance. The slanted and stylish nature of italics adds a touch of elegance to the text, elevating the overall aesthetic of your writing. Moreover, italics are easily distinguishable from the rest of the text, creating a clear visual distinction between regular text and movie titles.

Not only do italics provide a visually appealing way to present movie titles, but they also align with the industry standards and typographic conventions. Embracing this modern standard allows your writing to resonate with contemporary readers while adhering to the evolving rules of language usage. So, when it comes to referencing movie titles, embrace the sleek and stylish italics to give your text a modern and professional touch.

In the dynamic landscape of visual content creation, consistency plays a crucial role in capturing the attention of your audience. When it comes to applying formatting rules to different types of media titles, it is essential to maintain uniformity in order to establish your brand’s identity and create a cohesive visual experience . Here are some valuable tips to achieve consistency across various media formats:

1. Font Selection: Choosing the right font for your media titles can significantly impact the overall feel and recognition of your brand. Opt for a font that aligns with your brand’s personality and is easily readable across different devices and platforms. Consider using a combination of serif and sans-serif fonts to create visual hierarchy and enhance readability.

2. Font Size and Weight: Consistently applying font size and weight is crucial to ensure your media titles stand out and are easily legible. For headings, use larger font sizes to grab attention, while for subheadings and additional information, utilize smaller sizes. Experiment with different font weights, such as bold or italic, to add emphasis and guide your audience’s attention to the most important elements. Remember to maintain consistency in font size and weight across various media platforms to strengthen your brand’s visual identity.

In the world of academics, journalism, and creative writing, crafting captivating and accurate movie titles is crucial in effectively conveying the essence of your work. Here are some practical tips to ensure your movie titles make an impact:

1. **Stay true to the original**: When referencing a specific movie in your writing, make sure to use the exact title as it appears. Whether it’s italicized or enclosed in quotation marks, accurately representing the original title is essential to maintain credibility and avoid misinterpretations.

2. **Highlight relevant information**: To pique the interest of your readers, an effective movie title should convey the central theme or message of your work. Consider incorporating keywords and phrases that encapsulate the story, genre, or even the emotions evoked within the film. This will instantly help your audience grasp the essence of your piece and create anticipation for what lies ahead.

3. **Utilize formatting**: Formatting can play an essential role in making your movie titles visually appealing. Use italics or quotation marks to distinguish titles from the rest of the text. Additionally, consider using bold or underlining to emphasize key words or phrases to draw attention and enhance readability.

4. **Consider context**: Depending on the platform or medium in which your work will be presented, be mindful of the style guides and conventions used. Academic papers may have specific guidelines for formatting and referencing movie titles, while journalism and creative writing may require adaptability to suit the target audience and the intended purpose. Always adhere to the rules and standards of the specific field you are working within.

By following these tips, you can master the art of writing movie titles in the realms of academics, journalism, and creative writing. Remember to accurately represent the original title, highlight relevant information, utilize formatting strategically, and consider the context in which your work will be presented. With these valuable guidelines, your movie titles will captivate readers and add a touch of professionalism to your writing endeavors.

In professional documents, correctly formatting movie titles can greatly enhance the overall readability and professionalism of your work. To ensure that you follow the standard practices, here is an easy guide that will help you format movie titles effortlessly.

1. Italicize: When referring to a movie title, it is customary to italicize it to distinguish it from regular text. For instance, if you are mentioning the film “The Shawshank Redemption,” you would write it as The Shawshank Redemption .

2. Capitalization: The rules for capitalizing movie titles can be a bit tricky, but here are some general guidelines to remember: – Capitalize the first and last words of the title, as well as all principal words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns). – Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), or prepositions of fewer than four letters (in, on, at).

By following these simple formatting techniques, you can ensure that movie titles in your professional documents are presented correctly and consistently. Keep in mind that adhering to these conventions not only adds a touch of professionalism to your work but also helps maintain clarity and readability for your audience.

It’s time to bid adieu to the traditional practice of underlining movie titles and embrace the modern way of italicizing them instead. This simple yet significant change not only adds a touch of elegance to your writing but also conforms to the widely accepted style guidelines. So, why should you hop on this italicizing bandwagon? Here are a few compelling reasons:

1. Consistency: By italicizing movie titles, you maintain a consistent formatting style throughout your work. This helps readers navigate your content smoothly, ensuring a seamless reading experience .

2. Clarity: Italicizing movie titles allows them to stand out from the rest of the text, making it clear to readers that you’re referring to a film. This is particularly important when discussing multiple works, helping avoid any confusion or ambiguity.

In conclusion, italicizing movie titles is a modern practice that brings visual harmony to your writing. It not only helps maintain consistency but also ensures clarity for your readers. So, the next time you sit down to write about your favorite films, remember to embrace this contemporary convention and give your work a professional touch.

Q: Do you underline titles of movies when writing? A: No, underlining titles of movies is not the correct approach.

Q: What is the correct way to format titles of movies? A: Titles of movies should be placed in italics. If italics are not available, you can enclose the title in quotation marks.

Q: Why is underlining not the correct approach? A: Underlining titles is an outdated practice that originated from typewriter conventions. With the availability of italics, underlining is no longer necessary and can even be seen as incorrect.

Q: When should I use quotation marks for movie titles? A: Quotation marks are suitable when writing or typing in a medium that lacks italics, such as a handwritten document or an email without formatting options.

Q: Are there any exceptions to using italics or quotation marks for movie titles? A: In certain circumstances, movie titles may be presented in plain text, without italics or quotation marks. For example, if used as part of a URL or in a bibliography, you can write the movie title in plain text.

Q: Are there any other formatting guidelines for movie titles? A: Yes, when referring to a movie title within a larger body of work, such as an essay or a book, it should be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks according to the formatting guidelines for that specific work.

Q: Can I use a combination of italics and quotation marks for movie titles? A: No, combining italics and quotation marks would be incorrect. Stick to one of the formatting options for consistency.

Q: What are the rules for formatting TV show titles or series names? A: TV show titles and series names should also be italicized, using the same formatting guidelines as movie titles.

Q: Are there any exceptions for TV show titles? A: Like movie titles, when a TV show title is part of a larger body of work, it should be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks based on the overall formatting style being used.

Q: Can I use underlining instead of italics for TV show titles? A: No, the same rule applies to TV show titles as it does for movie titles – avoid underlining and use italics instead.

In conclusion, when writing, it is important to use the correct approach for formatting movie titles. Underlining is no longer recommended; instead, use italics or quotation marks for clarity and consistency.

Does Technical Writing Have a Title? Explained

How to Format Song Titles in Writing: Expert Advice

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Do you underline a movie title for an essay?

Yes, you may underline movie titles or put them in italics.

A way to remember this is to ask yourself if it would be able to sit on a shelf.

Because movies, books, and such are able to sit on a shelf, you underline them.

However, if it is a poem, article, short story, etc.. these are not physically able to sit on shelves, and in this case, you put them in quotations.

Actually . . . the use of underlining is pretty much gone now. Underlining was originally used in a manuscript to indicate that something was to be italicized in print. Now that you have the ability to word process, it's only used now when writing in long hand.

Add your answer:

Do you underline a movie title in a sentence?

Do you underline a movie title or use quotation marks.

you underline it because you cant you a quotation mark to present a book or the title of a movie.

How do you format movie titles in a text?

you underline the title of the movie

Do you underline a movie title?

If you are writing by hand, then yes you underline it, but if you are typing, you need to italicize it.

When writing a paragraph do you quote a movie or underline it?

yes or italicize it

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