In composition of essays or scholarly papers, it is always necessary to know how to correctly write titles of short compositions such as short stories, poems and songs so as to correctly follow the style provisions of such formats as APA or MLA. There is always a lot of confusion regarding whether to italicize or put quotations marks, and how to punctuate these titles in your essay.
We will deconstruct the conventions to make sure that you can be sure how to format these titles in your writing.
Short Story Titles: Italics or Quotation Marks?
Short stories are said to be short pieces and this implies that they are a portion of a bigger entity, say an anthology or collection. The rules of the industry, the standards of APA, as well as MLA and most other academic papers, dictate that the titles of short stories be placed under quotation marks instead of italics.
- Answer: Yes, a good man is hard to find.
- False: A Good Man Is Hard to Find.
Why Not Italics? Short stories.
Italics do not underline short and disconnected production (such as articles, articles). As elements of such larger works, short stories are set apart with quotation marks in order to be identified as separate but not self-contained literary pieces.
Do you italicize song titles?
Many students asks do you italicize song titles in APA so similar to short stories, titles of poems are typed in quotation marks and will never be italicized (in either MLA or APA format).
- Correct: "Ode on a Grecian Urn"
- Wrong: Ode on a Grecian Urn.
Special Note: Italicized may be longer poems printed in a book, such as The Waste Land or Paradise Lost--these are treated as a book. However, in the majority of instances (sonnets, short lyrical poems), write in quotation marks.
Title of the Song: Accurate Formatting and Punctuations
In both people styles, song titles are always written in quotation marks, as it is the case with short stories and poems. Do not italicize them.
- Correct: "Imagine"
- Incorrect: Imagine
Punctuation for Song Titles
In American English, periods, commas and other punctuation for song titles are located within close quotation marks.
- Right: Hey Jude, became legendary.
- False: "Hey Jude" achieved a legend.
Song Titles in APA and MLA Style
Here's a quick reference:
Style
Song Title
Album Title
Punctuation
APA
“Hello”
25
Comma/period inside quotes
MLA
“Yesterday”
Help!
Comma/period inside quotes
- APA: Name of songs is placed in quotations (Rolling in the Deep), and name of albums are italicized (21).
- MLA: Same rule. Song: "Eye of the Tiger"; Album: Survivor.
So, when you ask do you italicize song titles in MLA and APA, the table above will help you understand this.
Citation Tip
When citing a song in your essay have the title in quotes and when citing an album italicize the name. When you have to reference the lines out of a lyric or a particular song, you should always begin and end the reference with quotation marks.
Additional Examples
- "The Lottery" (short story)
- "The Road Not Taken" (poem)
- "Let It Be" (song)
Larger works get italics:
- The Philosopher stone (book) Harry Potter.
- Abbey Road (album)
- Collection of poems by Emily Dickinson.
Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
- Italics are not to be used on the titles of short stories, poems and songs.
- These titles should not be underlined at all: underlining is not a modern digital writing style.
- Never bold any titles because it is not academic writing, but design.
- It is always good to end major words in titles with a capital: The Tell-Tale Heart, A Red, Red Rose, Hallelujah.
Why These Rules Matter
Getting titles straight is not merely about doing what the rules are asking of you, but it's also about providing profession and readability and believability to your work. Adequate formatting demonstrates an interest in detail and respect to the works you are writing about.
When you use quotations such as The Raven or Yesterday, those quotation marks are instant indications to your reader that this is a short, self-contained piece within a larger volume (anthology, album or journal).
Summary of APA vs. MLA.
- Quotation marks: Use when writing short stories, poems and songs.
- Italics: used in titles of books/ albums/ collections.
- Punctuation: Periods, commas and others are placed within closing quotation marks.
As a Student: Fast Checklist.
- Would you be writing about a short story, poem or song? Use quotation marks.
- Is it a book, album or collection? Use italics.
- Place punctuation marks within the quotation mark of the end.
- Check your style guide when you are not sure (APA or MLA).
Final Thoughts
Regardless of whether it is a reference as to Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, or Don't Stop Believing, or the Gift of the Magi, proper formatting will make your writing look scholarly and therefore will impress your professor. To get additional assistance, such as expert help or assignment help, sites such as StudyUnicorn.com provide customized services to guarantee that each section of your essay is in the right conventions.
Comments