writing movie titles in a paper

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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

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:

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How to Title a Movie or Film in an Essay or Paper

College professors carefully look at proper nouns when grading student essays. They do this to ensure they are written correctly. When they find proper nouns, such as movie titles, are not written correctly, they do not give maximum points for formatting.

In this post, we will reveal how to write movie titles correctly in MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard, and AP-style papers. What you will learn in the next few minutes will help you not lose formatting points during grading.

Let?s begin.

Formatting a Movie Title in an Essay or Paper

Notice that formatting and capitalizing movie titles in an essay or academic writing piece largely depends on the style guide that you are using. If you are writing in MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or APA, you must write the movie titles in italics. In AP style, you have to use quotes for the movie titles.

When referring to the movie within the body of your paper, all the major style guides prefer using a title case where all the major words in the movie title are capitalized.

Let us delve further into how best to write a movie title in a paper, depending on the writing style.

1. How To Write A Movie Title In-Text On An MLA-Style Paper

MLA stands for Modern Language Association. US college professors founded the association in the nineteenth century. It published the MLA format in 1951. The MLA format is the recommended format in humanities disciplines.

The correct way to write a movie title on an MLA-style paper is to capitalize the first letter of the first word and all the principal words in the title, including the hyphenated words. These words include proper nouns, common nouns, pronouns, adverbs, adjectives, subordinating conjunctions, and verbs.

The only words you should not capitalize when you write a movie title in an MLA-style paper are the articles (e.g., a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (e.g., but, or, for, and), and prepositions (e.g., on, of, between, against) after the first word.

In addition to following the above rule on capitalizing the first letter of the first word and every principal word, you should italicize your movie title. You must italicize your movie title in virtually all major writing styles.

Examples of correctly written movie titles in MLA style

The movie The Batman follows a superhero?s battle to rid his city of criminals and criminal syndicates.
Under the Skin is probably Johansson?s best performance as an actress to date.
In Man of Fire, Washington is an alcoholic ex-CIA operative who gets a high-paying and high-drama job as a bodyguard in Mexico.

2. How to Write a Movie Title In-Text on an APA-Style Paper

APA is an acronym for American Psychological Association. Just like the MLA, the APA was founded in the nineteenth century. The APA stylebook was published in 1929 and is one of the world's most popularly used formatting styles.

The right way to write a movie title in APA style is to capitalize the first letter of the first word and every major word (nouns, pronouns, adverbs, adjectives, and verbs) in the sentence.

The only words that should not have their first letter capitalized are minor (articles plus prepositions and conjunctions under four letters long). In short, every word over three letters in length should have its first letter capitalized in an APA paper.

The above statement shows that writing a movie title in an APA-style paper is quite similar to doing the same in an MLA-style paper. The biggest difference is that all words with over three letters have their first letter capitalized. No MLA-style exceptions for long prepositions like between and against.

In addition to capitalizing the first letter, you must italicize the entire movie title in APA, just like in MLA.

Examples of correctly written movie titles in APA style

Everyone who has watched The Pirates of the Caribbean loves the Captain Jack Sparrow character, played by Johnny Depp.
In 12 Years a Slave, the director artfully reveals the deep hate and violence faced by slaves in pre-emancipation America.
The Wolf of Wall Street is a fun yet thought-provoking film about a young man who made much money in the capital markets.

3. Writing A Movie Title In-Text On A Chicago-Style Paper

Writing a movie title on a Chicago-style paper is the same as writing a movie title on an MLA-style paper. You capitalize the first letter of the first word and every principal word in the sentence.

The only words you don?t capitalize are the articles (e.g., a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (e.g., but, or, for, and), and prepositions (e.g., on, of, between, against) after the first word. Again, the case here is just like in MLA style format.

You also have to italicize your entire movie title in Chicago-style formatting.

Examples of correctly written movie titles in Chicago style

In The Hunger Games, themes such as power, wealth, and violence dominate the storyline.
Killers of the Flower Moon is an upcoming movie by Martin Scorsese based on gruesome events that took place in the Osage Nation.
Schwarzenegger?s Terminator movie is a classic action film featuring a cyborg as the main character.

It is crucial to note that writing a movie title Chicago style is very similar to writing a movie title Harvard style. Therefore, if you want to know how to write a film title Harvard style, follow the rules and the examples above.

4. How to Write a Movie Title In-Text on an AP-Style Paper

The AP is an acronym for the Associated Press. This is a global news organization that was founded in the mid-nineteenth century. It is one of the most reliable news organizations in the world. The organization published the AP format for journalists to use in 1953.

The correct way to write a movie title on an AP-style paper is to capitalize the first letter of the first word and all the main words. Conjunctions and prepositions more than three letters long also need their first letter capitalized. The first letter of the last word also needs to be capitalized regardless of how long or short it is.

In addition to the above, the movie title must be put in quotations. It must not be italicized.

Examples of correctly written movie titles in AP style

?Memories of Murder? is an award-winning movie that was released in 2006.
Critics agree that ?Train to Busan? is a well-made film with an exciting storyline, excellent actors, and wonderful cinematography.
?American Pie? was among the best movies ever produced by Paul Weitz.

Seven Steps to Writing a Movie Title

Follow the steps below to write movie titles in your college papers correctly.

1. Ensure the Movie You Are Referencing Is the Correct Movie

It is relatively easy to confuse movies because sometimes films have the same name, and other times they have names that can easily be confused. Therefore, before writing any movie title in your essay, ensure the movie you want to note is correct.

Noting down a movie by name in your article and then it ends up being the wrong one could have consequences for you. It could make your essay confusing, disorganized, or poor. You do not want your professor to think your essay is any of these things if you want an excellent grade.

So do a bit of research to ensure you have the right movie.

2. Ensure You Have the Wording Right

Students often forget a part of a movie title when talking about a movie in their essays. This is unacceptable. It is unacceptable because it doesn?t give the reader the complete information they need to research should they feel it necessary.

Therefore, to ensure your work is perfect, make sure the movie title you want to note down has the right wording. Do not forget or ignore any articles, conjunctions, or prepositions.

3. Do Not Leave Out Articles

Many famous movies have an article before them, e.g., ?the? or ?a.? You must not ignore the article before a movie, even if you feel like your reader will still know what you are talking about. For example, even if you feel your reader will know Shawshank Redemption, writing down the movie title like this is wrong. Write the full title, e.g., The Shawshank Redemption.

Sometimes, an article is the only thing distinguishing one movie from another. Therefore, leaving it out could mislead the reader into thinking you are discussing something different from what you are talking about.

4. Capitalize the First Word and the Main Words

Most writing formats require you to capitalize the first and main words in a movie title when you write it in-text in an essay. This doesn?t mean you write everything in capital letters. It simply means you make the first letter in the first word a capital letter plus the first letter in every other keyword (noun, pronoun, adjectives, and so on).

The example below shows how to capitalize a movie title in an essay. Even if a movie title is written in all caps, you are still supposed to capture it in the manner detailed in the example.

Example: In The Hunger Games , themes such as power, violence . . .

The only words you are not supposed to capitalize when writing a movie title are the prepositions, conjunctions, and articles within the movie title. Check the example below.

Example: Everyone who has watched The Pirates of the Caribbean loves . . .

5. Italicize the Title

As you may have noticed so far in this article, movie titles are italicized in all the major writing formats. This is done to make it clear to the reader quickly what words are part of the title and the ones that are not.

Therefore, immediately after capitalizing a movie title in your essay, you should go ahead and italicize it. Instead of italicizing it, you can add quotation marks when a movie title is short. This is, however, not always tolerated by professors. In most cases, they expect movie titles in italics.

Only when writing an AP-style paper are you expected to add quotation marks to a movie title instead of italicizing it.

6. State the Year of Release

The first time you refer to a movie in your paper or essay, you should state the year it was publicly released in parentheses. This will help the reader to understand the movie better because they will have the time context.

Sometimes movies/films share names. Adding a year in parentheses helps the reader precisely tell which movie you are discussing. While stating the year of release is encouraged, it is not always necessary. In addition, in most cases, professors do not care if the year of release is stated.

If you choose to give the year of release, you should only do it the first time you mention the movie.

7. Consider Using an Assignment Help Service

If you doubt your formatting skills and are unsure how to write movie titles, consider using an assignment help service like Gradecrest.com. Experienced masters and Ph.D. graduates who know everything there is to know about formatting papers typically offer our movie review writing services. They can help you format and edit your paper to ensure it is standard.

Moreover, we also have experts who can help you write your paper from scratch. All you need to do is to order a paper on your topic of choice, and a writer will be assigned to it to deliver outstanding results. Unlike other assignment help services, our service goes above and beyond to ensure the papers our clients receive are error-free, plagiarism-free, and have zero CHAT-GPT input.

As we come to the End?

As you may have noticed in this article, there are so many rules to remember when you want to write a movie title in an essay. While the rules are similar across different writing styles/formats, they are also slightly different. You must check the rules for writing movie titles to ensure you are on the right track according to your college?s recommended writing style.

Is it necessary to include the year of release when writing a movie title in a college essay?

It is not necessary. When writing a movie title in a college essay, you must write it correctly and add a credible source on the ?Works Cited page. You can include the year of release the first time you mention the movie in your essay. You can do this by putting the year in parentheses next to the movie title. But it is not a must.

Should I put quotation marks on a movie title?

No, you should not. You should capitalize and italicize it. Quotation marks are not required or recommended when writing a movie title following the APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago formats. They are only required when writing a movie title following the AP style. And when they are used in AP style, the title shouldn?t be italicized.

Should movie titles be written in title cases in an essay?

Yes, they should. All writing styles require you to write your movie title in title case (AP, APA, Chicago, MLA, and Harvard). The major words or principal words of the movie title should all be written in the title case.

Why do some news organizations put movie titles in quotations?

They do this because most news organizations require their journalists to follow the AP (Associated Press) style when writing news items. And since the AP format requires movies to be written in quotations rather than italics, you have the current situation where news articles have movie names in quotes.

Do you underline movie titles in essays?

No, you do not. You don?t underline movie titles in essays. This is because almost all writing and formatting styles require you to write the movie name in the title case and italicize it. Nothing more. You only underline movie titles in essays if you are handwriting your essay because italics aren?t possible when handwriting.

Is there a problem if I do not format my movie title correctly?

Yes, there is a problem. A big problem. You should format your move title correctly to get the total points for proper formatting during grade. If you don?t, you won?t get all the points your professor allocates for formatting the essay. This will result in a poor or average grade.

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

Movie Title in Essays: How to Write Them in Text

Do you italicize movie titles?

Students ask this question for essay writing and referring to cinematography works. Formatting rules are more or less universal here, so they’ll be easy to remember.

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to write movie titles for various citation styles.

Are Movies Italicized?

Yes, please use italics for a movie title in essays (1) of all citation formats except for AP. When writing in AP, use quotations.

Another exception is the movie series. When writing the name of the series episode, put it in quotation marks.

Example:

In “The One with the Fake Monica” of Friends , Ross tries to get his monkey Marcel into the zoo.

“The One with the Fake Monica” is the episode’s name, so we put it in quotation marks. Friends is the name of the whole series, so we italicize it. If we wrote this sentence in AP style, “Friends” would be in double quotations, too.

Keep reading for more details.

How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay

Let’s find out how to put a movie title in an essay. To do that properly, consider the citation style you’ll use for the paper.

Differences are minor but still worthy to know and follow. Here they go:

Capitalization

All main parts of speech start with a capital letter in movie names. Exceptions:

Determiners like definite and indefinite articles (the, a, an)
Short prepositions and conjunctions (those shorter than four letters): of, on, in, and, etc.

Use uppercase for the above only if a movie title begins or ends with the article or short prepositions. Subtitles start with a capital letter, too.

The First Slam Dunk; A Thousand and One; The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Huesera: The Bone Woman; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem; John Wick: Chapter 4

APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles for Movie Titles

Need more? Check:

How to Write Book Titles in Essays How to Cite a Movie in APA Format

Italics vs. Double Quotations

The AP style is the one prescribing quotation marks, not italics for movie names. When writing in AP, format films like this:

“Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend”
“On the Line”
“The School for Good and Evil”

Underlining?

Underline movie titles in papers only when writing them by hand. Since you can’t italicize your handwriting, it will help you highlight film names. Like this:

Punctuation

If a movie name includes punctuation, italicize or put it inside quotation marks.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
“Wham!” (AP style)
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Citing Movie Titles in References

How do you write a movie title in an essay.

Now you know how to write a title of a movie in an essay. Why not take your favorite film and craft a story about it? The best way to remember rules is to practice them, agree?

Follow the guidelines, stick to the citation style — and you’ll write titles correctly.

References:

https://nau.edu/writing-style-guide/treatment-of-titles/
Essay samples
Essay writing
Writing tips

7 Steps to Write a Movie Title in an Essay

By Film Threat Staff | November 6, 2021

There are indeed many types of essays you have to deal with throughout your studies. And every time you sit to type my essay , you first start looking for sources to use in your paper as examples and references. These sources can range from scholarly articles to movies. So naturally, m any times in your college essays, you’ll be asked to make reference to movies. When you do so, you will be confronted with the question of how to refer to the title of a movie in the text of your paper.

Surely, you can make your life easier and contact experts with a message “I want to pay someone to write my paper cheap ”, so you can continue watching the movies while others do your assignments. While there are some variations in how different writing styles approach movie titles, there is a general way to write the titles of movies that you should follow if you plan to discuss a movie title in your essay. So, what are the steps you need to take to write a movie title in your essay correctly? Here are the seven steps you should follow to make sure you get the title right.

If you are stymied by the right way to write about movies in your paper, you can pay someone to do papers for you. A professional writer can free you from the burden of essay writing by offering help with the correct use of movie titles in your paper and expert discussion of the movies you need to write about for your essay properly formatted in APA or MLA citation style. In order to hire an online writer, all you need to do is to contact a quality academic writing service and say, “I need you to write my essays for me online.” While quality academic writing isn’t always cheap, many services offer great value and affordable assistance to help you achieve your essay goals with some of the best professional writers with exceptional experience and a deep bank of movie knowledge to make every essay excellent.

Many times in your college essays, you’ll be asked to make reference to movies. When you do so, you will be confronted with the question of how to refer to the title of a movie in the text of your paper. Surely, you can make your life easier and contact experts with a message “I want to pay someone to write my paper cheap ”, so you can continue watching the movies while others do your assignments. While there are some variations in how different writing styles approach movie titles, there is a general way to write the titles of movies that you should follow if you plan to discuss a movie title in your essay. So, what are the steps you need to take to write a movie title in your essay correctly? Here are the seven steps you should follow to make sure you get the title right.

Make sure you have the right movie

Many movies have very similar titles. Some have the exact same title. You don’t want to confuse Broken Arrow , a Jimmy Stewart western, with Broken Arrow , a John Travolta thriller, for example, or The House on Haunted Hill for The Haunting of Hill House . Indeed, many movies called “mockbusters” intentionally use titles to remind you of blockbuster films and you don’t want to confuse them! So, before you use a title in your paper, make sure that you have the right movie in mind.

Check the wording of the title

Many movies are known by multiple titles, often because they have been retitled to appeal to different countries. For example, Mad Max 2 became The Road Warrior in the United States. Others have their titles changed after the fact. Star Wars became Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , while Raiders of the Lost Ark had Indiana Jones and… appended to it decades later. When you refer to a movie, be sure you know the correct title for the context and how your audience will expect to see you discuss the title.

Watch out for “a” and “the”

Many movie titles either have an article before them that most people don’t say, or don’t have an article when people say one anyway. This can be a little confusing, but you’ll want to check whether the “a” or “the” at the beginning is really part of the title before you write the title so you will know whether to include it in the title.

Capitalize the title of the movie

When you write the title of a movie, you will generally follow the conventions of capitalization for titles. That means that you will capitalize the first word and the last word and all proper nouns and important words in the title. Capitalization can be tricky, however, because many movies use stylized capitalization in their advertisements and title cards. However, in formal academic writing, you will use standard capitalization except in rare circumstances where another scheme is essential 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. Similarly, unusual or non-standard capitalization should be retained when it is essential. For example, the unusual capitalization of the movie eXistenZ is generally retained in writing because it is a made-up word whose spelling is correct within the movie.

Italicize movie titles

Movie titles should be italicized in most major writing styles. This sets the text apart from the rest of the sentence and indicates which words belong to the title and which do not. There are some exceptions to the rule about italicizing movie titles. The titles of short films are not typically italicized but are often placed in quotation marks. This generally applies to short subject films under half an hour in length, as well as to segments within a larger movie. This rule, however, is not hard-and-fast, and you should check the style guide for your chosen writing style to see when different punctuation is used. Another exception is newswriting. If you are writing in Associated Press style, all movie titles appear in quotation marks rather than italics because AP style does not use italicization for anything except in very rare circumstances.

Give the year of release on first reference

More often than not, it is beneficial to follow the title of a movie with the year of its release in parentheses on first reference. This will help the audience to place the movie in its correct position in time, and it will also make it easier to distinguish between films with similar or the same title. While this step is not always necessary, particularly for very famous films, it is generally good practice in academic writing.

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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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MLA titles: Formatting and capitalization rules

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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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, receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting.

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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 Review in 7 Steps

Table of contents

1 What Is a Review of a Movie?
2 Before You Start a Movie Review
3.1 Content
4.0.1 Introduction
4.0.2 Plot Summary
4.0.3 Analysis and Critique
4.0.4 Personal Opinion
4.0.5 Conclusion
5.1 Hook the reader
5.2 Portray a unique angle
5.3 Mention directors, cinematographers, and special effects
5.4 Add personal insights
5.5 Conclusive thoughts
5.6 Take a look as a pro-filmmaker
5.7 Adapt to your audience
6 Movie Review Examples
7 Mastering the Art of Movie Reviews: Final Thoughts

Crafting a nuanced movie review can be both an exhilarating and formidable challenge. For those grappling with the complexities of this art, rest assured ─ there’s a solution that transcends mere assistance. Enter the blog of the PapersOwl service for individuals seeking expert guidance. Our team of writers boasts extensive experience developing academic texts, ensuring that your movie reviews reflect sophistication.

Recognizing the pivotal role of movie review essays in fostering these discussions, we aim to empower you with valuable insights on how to write a movie review.

The purpose of a good movie review;
Main components and features of movie review;
A step-by-step guide to writing an expert movie review.

Let’s dive into the details and unlock the secrets to movie review writing like a pro.

What Is a Review of a Movie?

A movie review essay is a thoughtful and critical analysis of a film, aiming to provide readers with insights into various aspects of the cinematic experience. It goes beyond merely recounting the plot, delving into the film’s themes, characters, cinematography, and overall impact.

When you write a film review, you encourage critical thinking and contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the diverse world of cinema. Beyond narrating the storyline, it analyzes elements like direction, acting, cinematography, and screenplay, aiming to capture the essence of the cinematic experience.

Before You Start a Movie Review

Before embarking on your movie review journey, immerse yourself in the film’s intricacies. We advise you to watch it at least once, ideally twice, to truly appreciate its depth. Indeed, multiple viewings unveil subtle details, providing a nuanced understanding of cinematic nuances. During these screenings, strategically take notes, focusing not only on plot intricacies, character nuances, and directorial choices but also on the impact of the musical score.

Moreover, extend your preparation beyond viewing. Research the movie and gather background information about the film, its director, cast, and production. This step adds depth to your review, allowing you to contextualize your observations and enrich your analysis. By combining thoughtful viewing with thorough research, you set the stage for a movie review that reflects your insights and contributes meaningfully to the broader cinematic conversation.

What Are the Main Components of a Movie Review?

When delving into the art of movie reviewing, a well-structured approach enhances the impact of your film analysis essay. Here’s a breakdown of key elements of a movie review outline to consider, ensuring your review is valuable and reader-friendly.

Main Subject: Cover the central themes and messages conveyed by the film.
Characters and Setting: Contextualize the film by exploring characters, their relationships, and the setting.
Plot Analysis: Dive into the plot intricacies, discussing its strengths, weaknesses, and central message.

Evaluate the formal and aesthetic film aspects, including sound mixing, cinematography, script, lighting, costume/make-up, and editing. Articulate your thoughts on these components to write a good film review, providing an analysis of how they contribute to the overall cinematic experience.

By meticulously incorporating these elements into your reviews of movies, you not only provide a comprehensive analysis but also offer readers valuable insights into the film’s nuances. This structured and informative approach ensures that your review is expertly crafted and a valuable resource for those seeking a nuanced understanding of the cinematic work.

Structuring Your Review

Before writing a movie review, it’s recommended to share the notes and impressions you gathered during your viewing experience to present a concise, informative, and meaningful overview. Thus, you can highlight aspects you appreciated and structure your essay notes , providing reasons and examples. Equally, address elements that fell short and illustrate your points.

Introduction

In the opening passage, begin your review with an engaging text, revealing vital details like the movie’s title, director, and genre. This initial step must offer readers a tantalizing glimpse into the cinematic realm they are about to explore.

Plot Summary

Moving on to the plot summary, skillfully avoid spoilers in your student movie review format. Remember that the movie review structure guides readers through key narrative points, ensuring a comprehensive overview that intrigues without divulging critical plot twists.

Analysis and Critique

Next, delve into the film’s core components in your movie review essay. Here, you should evaluate acting performances, directing choices, cinematography, script quality, pacing, and the soundtrack. Thus, you can write a film critique that explores its strengths and weaknesses.

Personal Opinion

Transitioning to your personal opinion, share your interpretation and emotional response to the movie. For example, inject a unique perspective that forges a connection with readers. Additionally, you can write a review on a movie and how the film resonated with you, adding a personal touch to your review.

To conclude your professional movie reviews, summarize key thoughts and deliver a final evaluation. Here, you can reinforce your overall perspective and recommendation, leaving readers with a clear understanding of your stance. Indeed, a well-crafted conclusion ensures your review resonates as a valuable and comprehensive critique. Besides, utilize transition words for enhanced readability and fluidity throughout your review.

Top 7 Writing Tips for an Effective Review

Here are essential tips to ensure you write about movies reviews that are captivating for your readers:

Hook the reader

Write a movie report with an intriguing opening that instantly captivates readers. Create curiosity that will immediately hook the audience through a compelling quote, vivid imagery, or an enticing narrative snippet.

Portray a unique angle

Set your review apart when writing a film review by embracing a distinctive angle or perspective. Explore facets of the film that have yet to be extensively discussed. Thus, uncover hidden layers, unique themes, or overlooked details to give readers fresh insights, making your movie critique stand out in the cinematic discourse.

Mention directors, cinematographers, and special effects

To write a review essay on a movie, incorporate vital behind-the-scenes contributors into your review, including directors, cinematographers, and special effects teams. This way, you acknowledge their roles in shaping the film’s visual allure and narrative impact, underscoring their significance in translating the cinematic vision into a captivating reality.

Add personal insights

Analyzing what makes a good movie review, you should connect the film to broader themes or personal experiences, enhancing reader engagement. Draw parallels to universal concepts to deepen the emotional resonance, making the narrative more relatable and impactful.

Conclusive thoughts

End your film review writing with a potent summary based on movie review criteria, encapsulating your overall opinion. Provide a decisive recommendation, leaving readers with a compelling takeaway that solidifies your stance on the film description.

Take a look as a pro-filmmaker

Assess the film through the eyes of a professional filmmaker to write a film analysis professionally, exploring the five Cs of cinematography: composition, camera movement, cutting, close-ups, and continuity. Consequently, analyze how these elements contribute to the film’s visual narrative, enriching your critique with an expert perspective.

Adapt to your audience

Customize your language and style to resonate with your audience, whether casual moviegoers or cinema aficionados. Write a good movie review and tailor your tone for accessibility, ensuring your review is engaging and relevant to your intended readership.

Movie Review Examples

Elevate your understanding of how to critique a movie by immersing yourself in the well-crafted reviews found in the arts and entertainment sections of esteemed publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Rolling Stone . These outlets house reviews composed by movie review writers renowned for their expertise.

Pay attention to the masterful use of language, the depth of analysis, and the delicate balance between objectivity and subjectivity. Additionally, it examines how critics seamlessly weave personal insights into a broader cultural context in writing movie reviews, enhancing the richness of their assessments.

Mastering the Art of Movie Reviews: Final Thoughts

Today, we explored the intricacies of crafting compelling critiques. Assume a captivating introduction, delve into the essential elements of the review, and conclude with impactful insights to write a film review essay. Importantly, balance active and passive voice for academic writing prowess. Embrace these insights to elevate critical review of movies, captivate readers with your nuanced and expertly crafted analyses, and write an essay for you !

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How to Write Movie Titles in Essays?

Table of Contents

Writing a movie title in essay projects may be necessary when handling different academic assignments. Thus, knowing how to write movie captions in the correct format is vital for composing successful papers. While mastering this art is necessary, many students face challenges doing it.

This subject raises many questions regarding various components. For instance, italicizing, quoting, underlining, and punctuating are some of the challenges some students face.

Fortunately, relevant guidance exists to address all these challenges and improve your writing skills. This post addresses these difficulties in all the major academic writing styles like APA , Chicago, and MLA. Keep reading to learn more and master this area of academic writing.

How to Put a Movie Title in an Essay

Writing a movie title in essay has different components that have evolved through the ages. The rise of computer technology has drastically changed how learners handle this subject. It has changed some elements, like underlining movie titles. For instance, before personal computers became common, students used typewriters to write academic papers. This technology required them to underline movie titles. Also, underlining movie headlines was necessary because some scholars hand-wrote their assignments. The reason is that italicizing a title was difficult in a hand-written essay.

Rules to Follow When Writing a Movie Title in Essay

Here are the main rules to follow to write movie titles correctly in your academic papers.

Title Sources

As a rule of thumb, you should list the full title as it appears in the source you are citing. However, few exceptions exist for this rule, particularly when punctuating subtitles and standardizing capitalization.

You must capitalize every principal word, like an adjective, noun, and verb. However, don’t capitalize articles, prepositions, or conjunctions in the title’s middle. However, capitalize them if they are long, such as additionally and furthermore, or if they are a title’s first word.
Always separate subtitles with colons and spaces.

Italicization

Italicization is another vital component to pay attention to when including a movie title in essay .

You must italicize titles from self-contained and independent sources. Remember to italicize every book, play, film, periodical, database, and website title.

Quotation Marks

Put a title in quotation marks if its source is a part of a larger work.

Titles with Other Titles

Titles containing other titles occur commonly in academic writing. Also, if the title usually appears in double quotation marks, enclose the caption in single quotes. For instance,

“Madness in David’s ‘Make Common Sense Common Again.'”

Capitalization

Capitalization is another core component when drafting movie captions in essays. You should apply all the established capitalization rules when writing these titles. These laws require you to do the following:

Begin all movie captions start with capital letters.
Always capitalize all proper nouns.

However, you must pay special attention to some exceptions when applying these rules to place a movie title . The final rules will depend on the writing style you use. Please note that different academic formats disagree on minor matters that may complicate matters. So, use these rules, knowing they don’t apply universally across various educational writing styles.

Movie Title in Writing

You will format your essays using APA, MLA, or Chicago styles. While these disagree on different issues, they agree on a few core components. For instance, these styles need you to capitalize all movie titles. They also require you to capitalize adverbs, nouns, verbs, and pronouns. These formatting styles also agree on capitalizing prepositions, articles, and conjunctions only if they are the first word in titles.

APA requires capitalizing all words with more than three letters. It also capitalizes a caption’s first word and proper nouns. Here is an excellent example: When the bells ring .

When formatting your essay using AP style, place your movie titles in quotes. You still have to abide by all the rules of writing titles within quotes. For example:

“The Passion of the Christ” shuttered records within its first year of release.
“We are happy to work on any movie as popular as ‘The Lord of the Ring,'” John exclaimed.

While you should always italicize all TV shows and movie titles, several exceptions occur; for instance, treat every heading of a specific scene or episode and a short film as a shorter work. Therefore, place such captions in quotations.

Here are two main questions students ask about placing a movie title in essay s, plus their answers.

How do you write a movie title in an essay?

Capitalize all the major words in the headline, such as pronouns, verbs, proper nouns, and adverbs. However, don’t capitalize short prepositions articles like a, an , and the . The only exception occurs when these words open movie headlines or are four letters long and more, for instance, beneath or about. However, the three main formatting styles disagree on this last rule. So, consult your essay’s style guide before applying this rule.

How to draft a movie title in an essay MLA?

The MLA format for writing a movie title requires formatting all headlines uniformly in the entire essay. It has two major principles you must pay attention to.

Capitalize all the first letters of the main words except minor ones, such as conjunctions, articles, and prepositions. The only exception here applies when they exist at a headline’s beginning.
Italicize every title in the essay’s body.

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How To Write A Movie Title In An Essay

Are you planning on referencing a movie in an essay you are writing? You'll have to find out how to write the movie title down correctly, or you may lose points. It might seem like a no-brainer at first glance, but you'd be surprised about the variety of approaches different style guides take to writing movie titles.

With this guide, you'll be able to get writing a movie title in an essay right.

How To Write a Movie Title In An Essay

How should you write a movie title in an essay — whether that essay is a movie analysis, or one not related to cinematography or creative writing at all, like one about history, psychology, or sociology? That depends, in short, on the context in which you're writing your essay.

If you are hoping to reference a movie title in a high school essay, you may not have to use a particular style guide — a manual that instructs you on the correct way to incorporate particular elements into your essay. In this case, your best bet is to use title case and to italicize the movie title.

Title case capitalizes all major words in a title or headline, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adverbs. Minor words such as short prepositions and articles (the, a, an) remain in lower case. The first and last words of the title should always be capitalized, regardless of what they are. To make it easier for you, we'll recommend that you also capitalize prepositions with more than four letters, such as "about" and "underneath", though some style guides do not do this. Since you are using italics, there is absolutely no need to use quotation marks as well.

Have you got no clue what we're talking about? Let's see this in action. (Warning: Some of the links definitely contain spoilers if you haven't watched any of these movies yet!)

The BBC refers to "Spider-Man: Far From Home" , without any italics.
Wikipedia follows the structure recommended above, as in, for instance, " War of the Worlds ".
Popular movie review platform Screen Rant follows the structure described above as well, in the body of their texts. " One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest " is one example. To allow you to see as many example as possible, we're linking to a post of theirs about the 15 movies with the longest titles .

If you are required to use a style guide, such as AP, APA, or MLA — common if you are writing a college essay — you will have less freedom. On the other hand, each writing style will also tell you exactly what to do, so you won't be in the dark.

Do you not have the entire style manual lying around on your desk? No problem. We'll make it easy for you.

Rules on Writing a Movie Title On An Essay

Whether you have been asked to use a particular style manual while citing and referencing movie titles in an essay, or you are committed to maintaining a consistent style yourself, style guides can be a little confusing. Here is a closer look at some of the most popular writing styles and their rules for writing movie titles.

You won't just be writing the movie title in the body of your essay, of course, but also cite it in the references. Each style guide has specific guidelines on how to do this, as well.

In APA, you do this by:

Citing he director of the movie — last name, first initial.
Place the release year in brackets.
Follow this with the title.
Reference the medium used to watch it, for instance DVD.
Specify the location of the distributor, and the name of the distributor (for instance, California: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures).

In MLA, you:

List the director like this: Last name, First name.
Write the movie title.
Specify the name of the distributor.
Mention the release year.

In Harvard style, you would:

List the director by last name and first initial.
Follow with the location and name of the distributor.

Why Is Proper Formatting Important?

Style guides are conventions established to ensure consistency, which adds clarity to your essay. In practical terms, however, taking care to format the movie titles you may reference in any essays is important because not doing so will cause you to lose points, which will result in a lower grade.

You only have to familiarize yourself with the rules set out by a particular style manual once, and after that you will likely remember what they are. There is no good reason not to make sure that you get this right, and every reason to make the effort.

Is a movie title underlined in an essay?

That is actually a very interesting question. Nowadays, nearly everyone writing an essay will do so on a PC or laptop computer, using word-processing software. This trend has led the practice of underlining movie titles to go all but extinct, since it's just as easy to italicize a movie title as to underline it.

Underlining the things we now italicize used to be more common, because people wrote things by hand or used typewriters. Especially when handwriting something in cursive, italics simply aren't possible. That's why underlining movie titles, book titles, and even scientific names used to be more common. Underlining movie titles remains the correct alternative to italicizing them if you are writing an essay by hand.

Do you also include the year of release with the movie title?

Yes, you should mention the release year as you cite a movie in your references. There is no need to do so in the body of your text, unless multiple movies exist by the same title. With remakes, this has become more common in recent times.

Do you quote a movie title in an essay?

Place quotation marks around a movie title in an essay only if you are using AP style.

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How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay APA?

Ever struggled with adding a movie title to your APA style essay? No worries – it's simpler than you think! The American Psychological Association has a straightforward approach, and we're here to break it down for you.

In this guide, our APA paper writing service will not only walk you through the process but also ensure that your references are presented uniformly across various papers and disciplines. By following APA guidelines, you not only adhere to academic standards but also facilitate clear communication in your writing. So, let's dive into the basics and make your APA formatting a breeze.

How to Write Movie Titles in APA: Consider the Following

When it comes to incorporating a film name into your APA style essay, precision is the name of the game. Here are some helpful steps for the process:

Italicization : You may have been wondering whether or not should movie titles be italicized in APA. The answer is - always. This rule applies whether you are mentioning the heading in the text or including it in your references page. Example : In the film The Shawshank Redemption,...
Capitalization: Capitalize all major terms in the heading, but avoid capitalizing articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but), and prepositions (in, on, under). Example: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Punctuation: Place commas and periods inside the quotation marks. For example, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Casablanca, a timeless classic.
Reference Page Entry: When listing the movie on your references page, follow this format: Last Name, First Initial. (Director), Title [italicized], Production Company. Example : Spielberg, S. (Director), Jurassic Park [italicized], Universal Pictures.
In-Text Citations: For in-text citations include the last name of the director and the year of release in parentheses. Example: ( Spielberg, 1993)
Multiple Directors: If a film has multiple directors, list them with an ampersand (&) between their names. Example: ( Coen & Coen, 1998)
No Author: If there's no individual author or director, use the production company as the author in your reference. Example : Pixar. (2003). Finding Nemo [italicized].

Writing Movie Titles in APA-Style Essays in Upper Case

When it comes to writing a movie title in essays, choosing the right style is crucial, and uppercase is a common choice that brings a touch of formality to your writing. APA style, a prevalent choice in scholarly articles and academia, particularly in the behavioral and social sciences, provides specific guidelines for this.

Capitalize Major Words: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns—all fall under the category of major words and should be capitalized. Additionally, any term of four letters or longer should be capital letters.
Minor Words in Lowercase: Conjunctions and prepositions of three letters or shorter, as well as articles, are in lowercase.
Proper Names: Always capitalize proper names, regardless of their length.
First Word in Title and Subtitle: Capitalize the first word in both the heading and subheading, even if it is an article like 'A' or 'The.'
After Colon and Em Dash: The first term after a colon or em dash is capitalized.
Words with Hyphens: If a major word is hyphenated, both parts are capitalized.
Movie Titles in Quotes or Italics APA : When referencing a heading in the body of your paper, use either quotation marks or italics.

Final Thoughts

Formatting movie headings is a small but important part of your essay. Whether you go with APA style or any other, just be consistent. Keep it simple; keep it steady. Consistency is your best friend here. So, whether it's italics or capital letters, stick with it throughout. It's the little things that add that pro touch to your essay.

So, as you wrap up your writing, think of it as rolling the credits on your cinematic masterpiece. The consistency in formatting, like a great ending scene, leaves a lasting impression. It's these little things that turn your paper into a pro-level production!

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Writing Tips

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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NAU Editorial Style Guide
Abbreviations and acronyms
Capitalization
Diversity Writing Style Guide
Inclusive writing
Numbers and Dates
Punctuation
Writing tips
Writing about Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University

Treatment of titles

Non Discrimination Statement
Contact Information

Links on this page

Academic titles, publications, movies, television, and radio, musical works, quote attribution and degree formatting, works of art.

University Marketing [email protected] 928-523-1741 nau.edu/university-marketing

See academic and administrative titles on the capitalization page for guidance.

See quote attribution and degree formatting for guidance on current students and alumni.

Proper names of events should be capitalized . In limited cases, events may also be italicized as necessary by University Marketing.

Note: Quotation marks may be used only when capitalization and italicization cannot fulfill the need for technical or aesthetic reasons.

Titles of books, journals, magazines, plays, newspapers, and freestanding publications

Titles of books, journals, magazines, plays, newspapers, and freestanding publications are italicized when quoted in text or bibliography. Always preserve original spelling, hyphenation, capitalization, and punctuation.

David McCullough’s best selling biography, John Adams , was recently made into a television mini-series.

She receives most of her news from Time magazine and the New York Times .

Ampersands can be changed to and with editorial discretion.

Additional book rules

Book series.

Titles of book series or editions are capitalized but not italicized.

Parts of a book

When referring to parts of a book—preface, foreword, appendix, chapter, etc.—use lowercase.

Titles of articles, chapters, poems, and shorter works

Titles of articles, chapters, poems, and shorter works are set in roman type and enclosed with quotation marks. If quotation marks are used in the original titles, then single quotation marks must be substituted.

Attribution formatting

For attribution, format as follows:

#11 best town in the nation to go stargazing – BuzzFeed

See quote attribution and degree formatting for more information on attribution.

Titles of movies, television, and radio shows are italicized. A single episode is enclosed in quotation marks.

Formal names of broadcast channels and networks are capitalized:

The Discovery Channel offers a variety of programs from health to the environment.
She often watches the Oxygen and Comedy Central channels.

The names of operas and musicals are italicized. Individual songs and arias are set in quotation marks:

Handel’s Messiah includes the well-known “Hallelujah” chorus.
“Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” is performed in the opening scene of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, Oklahoma!

Album/CD recording names are italicized. Individual songs are set in quotation marks.

Instrumental music such as symphonies, quartets, rhapsodies, etc., that also include a number or key signature in the title should be capitalized but not italicized. Descriptive titles of the same work can be italicized. Note: The number (no.) or opus (op.) of the work should remain lowercase.

Beethoven’s Symphony no. 3; or Third Symphony; or Eroica Symphony
Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major
Etude in G Minor, op. 33

General formatting

Make sure to use an en dash (–) with a space after to introduce all testimonials and quote attribution lines. Quote attribution lines should always be italicized on a separate line below the quote. Always use an en dash (–) with spaces on both sides to differentiate between a degree name and an emphasis name.

Follow these same general guidelines in running text but without an introductory en dash or italics. Limited exceptions may be made in small spaces where short copy is required, including removing emphasis and minor names when necessary .

Current undergraduate student:

“Quote.” – Firstname Lastname, DegreeName – EmphasisName major with a minor in MinorName

Current graduate student or other:

“Quote.” – Firstname Lastname, pursuing a master’s, doctorate, graduate certificate, or endorsement in Degree Name – Emphasis Name

“Quote.” – Firstname Lastname, BS DegreeName, ’year

Faculty/staff

“Quote.” – Firstname Lastname, Title, Department, College

Tribal affiliations

“Quote.” – Firstname Lastname (Tribal Affiliations), Title, Department, College

“Quote.” – Firstname Lastname (Tribal Affiliations), BS DegreeName, ’year

“Quote.” – Firstname Lastname (Tribal Affiliations), ’year BS DegreeName Notes and exceptions

Ensure that you are using a proper curly apostrophe preceding graduation year.
Marie Curie, Honors Chemistry – American Chemical Society – Comprehensive – Certified by the American Chemical Society major
Follow all normal capitalization style rules and consult the NAU catalog for degree names whenever possible. However, keep in mind that degree names change over time.
Araceli Hermoso-Palacios, Postbaccalaureate Secondary Education Certification Undergraduate Certificate, ’18
Attributions split across two lines should not use a comma at the end of the first line.

Content team only

See the full testimonials and quote attributions page for additional guidance and examples.

Treat a reference website as you would an authoritative book or other source material: italicize.

Always omit the https://www ; it’s unnecessary and clutters your text. Still, be sure to link to https addresses, not http , as they provide additional security for your users.

For more information on how to format a website, see the Addresses page .

Names of paintings, sculptures, and statues are italicized.

Photographs are set in quotation marks.

Cartoons and comic strips are italicized.

Do You Underline Movie Titles When Writing a Paper? Correct Format

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Do You Underline Movie Titles When Writing a Paper? Correct Format

When writing a paper, do you underline movie titles?

Understanding the correct format for movie titles in academic writing, the importance of proper punctuation in movie titles, the preferred formatting style for movie titles: italics or quotation marks, insights on when to italicize or use quotation marks for movie titles, expert recommendations and style guides for writing movie titles in papers, frequently asked questions, concluding remarks.

When writing a paper, it is important to follow established formatting guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency. One common question students often ask is whether movie titles should be underlined. The answer, however, depends on the style guide you are using.

For instance, according to the MLA (Modern Language Association) style guide, movie titles should be italicized when typed or underlined when written by hand. This helps to distinguish them from the rest of the text and indicates that it is the title of a complete work, such as a movie. On the other hand, the APA (American Psychological Association) style guide suggests using italics for movie titles, without underlining them. These style guides help maintain a uniform appearance and facilitate easy navigation within the paper. Additionally, it is important to note that these guidelines are not limited to movie titles alone but also apply to other types of media, such as books, plays, and TV shows.

In conclusion, when writing a paper, it is crucial to adhere to the specific style guide required by your instructor or institution. Whether you choose to italicize or underline movie titles, it is essential to follow the guidelines consistently throughout your paper. A consistent and proper presentation of movie titles not only enhances the overall appearance of your paper but also allows readers to identify and locate specific sources easily. Remember to consult the appropriate style guide and be consistent in your formatting choices to ensure your paper is well-presented and professional.

Understanding the correct format for movie titles in academic writing

In academic writing, it is crucial to follow the correct format for movie titles to maintain consistency and professionalism. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can result in confusion and make your paper appear less credible. Therefore, it is essential to understand the proper formatting for various types of movie titles.

When citing a movie in the body of your text, it should be italicized to differentiate it from the rest of your writing. For instance, in an analysis of the film “Inception,” you would write: In “Inception,” director Christopher Nolan explores the depths of the subconscious mind. This formatting rule applies to both the title and subtitle of the movie; however, if the title includes punctuation such as a question mark or exclamation point, they should not be italicized.

When including movie titles in your reference list or bibliography, the format becomes slightly different. The title of the movie should still be italicized, but the capitalization should follow the conventions of sentence case. This means that only the first letter of the title and any proper nouns should be capitalized. For example: – “The Shawshank Redemption” – “Pulp Fiction” – “Gone with the Wind”

The importance of proper punctuation in movie titles

Think about it – when was the last time you saw a movie with a poorly punctuated title? Chances are, you can’t recall one. That’s because proper punctuation in movie titles plays a significant role in capturing the attention of audiences and conveying the intended message. Here’s why it matters:

Captivating Audiences: A well-placed comma or an exclamation mark can add intrigue and suspense to a movie title, making it more captivating to potential viewers. Just imagine, “The Secret Garden” versus “The Secret, Garden?” The latter evokes curiosity and leaves viewers eager to uncover the secret hiding within that garden.
Conveying Tone and Emotion: Punctuation is an essential tool for setting the tone and conveying emotion in movie titles. For example, “Love Actually” without the comma wouldn’t have the same impact. The comma emphasizes the authenticity of love, making it more heartfelt and sincere. Without proper punctuation, the intended emotion behind the movie title could be lost.
Avoiding Misinterpretation: Incorrect punctuation in movie titles can lead to misinterpretation and confusion. A misplaced apostrophe or a missing hyphen might alter the meaning entirely. Take “Three Men and a Baby” as an example. Without the proper punctuation, it could become “Three Men and Baby,” which completely changes the storyline and leaves potential viewers scratching their heads.

So, the next time you’re choosing a movie to watch, pay close attention to the punctuation in the titles. It’s not just a mere detail; it can make all the difference in capturing your interest and understanding the movie’s essence. Proper punctuation in movie titles is an indispensable element of the film industry, enhancing creativity, symbolism, and clarity.

The preferred formatting style for movie titles: italics or quotation marks?

When it comes to deciding between italics or quotation marks to format movie titles, it’s essential to consider the guidelines followed by professional writers and the preferences of different style guides. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, understanding the general consensus can help you make an informed choice.

1. Italics: Using italics to format movie titles is a popular choice among many writers. It conveys a sense of emphasis and maintains consistency with other forms of media formatting, such as books and TV shows. This style is widely accepted by modern style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style and the Modern Language Association (MLA). When using italics, it is important to remember that the entire title should be emphasized, including any subtitles or series names. For example: The Shawshank Redemption or Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope .

2. Quotation Marks: Alternatively, some writers prefer using quotation marks to enclose movie titles. This style is often associated with older typewritten manuscripts and is still prevalent in certain contexts, particularly within British English and Australian English conventions. Although not as commonly used as italics, it is important to be consistent with whichever style you choose. Enclose the entire title within double quotation marks, such as “The Shawshank Redemption” or “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.”

Ultimately, the choice between italics and quotation marks for movie titles depends on the style guide you are following and your personal preference. However, whatever formatting style you choose, remember to consistently apply it throughout your writing to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Movie titles can sometimes be confusing to punctuate, but knowing when to use italics or quotation marks can add an extra layer of professionalism to your writing. Understanding these guidelines will not only enhance the readability of your work but also demonstrate your attention to detail. So, let’s dive into some valuable insights on when to use italics or quotation marks for movie titles.

1. **Italics for full-length movies **: When mentioning a full-length movie title in your writing, it is customary to italicize it. This includes both fictional and non-fictional movies. For example: The Shawshank Redemption or Black Panther . This helps to clearly distinguish the title and make it stand out to the reader.

2. **Quotation marks for shorter works**: Shorter works, such as individual episodes of a television series or short films, are typically enclosed in quotation marks. For instance, if you’re referring to a specific episode of the sitcom “Friends” called “The One Where Everyone Finds Out,” it should be written as “The One Where Everyone Finds Out”. Similarly, the short film “Bao” should be written as “Bao”. Using quotation marks allows readers to easily identify and differentiate these shorter works from full-length movies.

In the world of academia, it is crucial to adhere to specific style guidelines when it comes to writing movie titles in papers. To help you navigate this aspect of your writing, we have collated expert recommendations and style guides that will ensure your movie titles are styled correctly. So, whether you are working on a film analysis essay or a research paper on cinematography, these guidelines will be your ultimate go-to resource.

When including a movie title in your paper, it is essential to format it correctly to maintain consistency and ensure clarity for the reader. Here are some key recommendations:

– Italicize the titles of longer works, such as feature films, documentaries, and television series. For example, The Shawshank Redemption , Black Mirror . – Use quotation marks for shorter works within larger ones, such as episodes of a TV show, short films, or individual scenes. For instance, “White Christmas” from the Black Mirror series or the short film Piper .

By following these guidelines, you will demonstrate your attention to detail and professionalism, enhancing the overall quality of your academic writing. Remember, consistency is key, so choose one style and stick to it throughout your paper.

Q: Do you underline movie titles when writing a paper?

A: No, you do not underline movie titles when writing a paper. According to modern writing style guides, the correct format for movie titles is to use italics.

Q: Why is it incorrect to underline movie titles?

A: Underlining movie titles used to be the preferred formatting style in the era of typewriters and handwritten papers. However, with the advent of word processors and digital writing tools, italics have become the accepted standard for indicating titles. Underlining is now considered outdated and is often seen as incorrect in modern writing practices.

Q: What types of papers require movie titles?

A: Movie titles are most commonly used in papers related to fields such as film studies, English literature, and media analysis. These papers often analyze specific films or discuss them in the context of theoretical frameworks or academic discourses.

Q: Is it only movie titles that need to be italicized?

A: Italicizing titles is not limited to movies; it is the preferred formatting style for all major works, including books, plays, TV shows, and full-length musical compositions such as albums or operas.

Q: Can you provide some examples of correctly formatted movie titles?

A: Absolutely! Here are a few examples of correctly formatted movie titles: – “The Shawshank Redemption” – “Inception” – “Pulp Fiction” – “Gone with the Wind” – “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”

Q: Are there any exceptions to this formatting rule?

A: Yes, there are a few exceptions when it comes to formatting movie titles. If you are writing a paper by hand and italics are not an option, underlining can be used as an alternative. Additionally, if you are writing in a context that does not support italics, such as an email or a text message, using quotation marks around the movie title is also acceptable.

Q: What if I’m unsure about the formatting style in a specific academic discipline?

A: When in doubt, it is always a good idea to consult the style guide or instructions provided by your professor or academic institution. Different academic disciplines may have specific style requirements, so it’s important to adhere to those guidelines to ensure your paper is consistent with the standards of that field.

Q: Where can I find additional information about proper formatting for writing papers?

A: There are various style guides available that provide in-depth instructions on formatting when writing academic papers. Some popular style guides include the MLA Handbook, APA Style Guide, and the Chicago Manual of Style. These resources offer comprehensive guidance on formatting titles, citations, references, and other aspects of academic writing.

In conclusion, it is important to remember that when writing a paper, movie titles should be italicized or put in quotation marks.

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When Writing a Paper: Italicize Book Titles for Clarity

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How to Write Book and Movie Titles ~

When I teach grammar seminars, a subject that almost always comes up is: How do you write book and movie titles? Do you put them in quotation marks? Do you italicize them? Do you underline or even capitalize them?

And, whenever I hear this question, I’m always struck by the facial expressions of the people in the room. The students are really, really interested. It’s clear that the issue has troubled them for a long time. They can hardly wait to hear the answer.

So I tell them what I consider good news: There’s no right or wrong way. It’s just a matter of style. Then I pause to watch their faces light up with joy and relief. But that’s not what happens. The inquisitive expressions don’t fade because they didn't want to hear “Don’t sweat it.” They wanted more specific instruction. So here’s what I tell them.

News style harkens back to the days when printing presses were like dinosaurs: huge, clunky, and destined for extinction. Most couldn’t make italics. So newspapers put book and movie titles into quotation marks.

<<The actors in “Star Wars” went on to have varying degrees of success.>> <<Johnny read “War and Peace” in school.>>

Magazine titles they just capitalize, skipping the quote marks.

<<Jane writes for the Time and Newsweek.>>

Book publishers, which have a greater need to print things like tables and charts and excerpts, have had a greater need for flexible printing options, including italics. So, because they can, they skip the quotation marks and just italicize those titles instead.

<<We read The Road .>>

Book publishers also italicize magazine titles, but put article titles and chapter titles in quotation marks.

If, like the people in those grammar seminars, you need a thorough how-to, just consult a style guide. Or you could just pick one way, saying using quotation marks, and stick with it. Either way, there’s no need to worry you're doing it wrong.

Tags: PUNCTUATION , STYLE

This entry was posted on Monday, January 31st, 2011 at 8:00 am and is filed under Blog . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response , or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “How to Write Book and Movie Titles ~”

lol...i had a professor in college that told us..."when you get into the real world, no one really looks that hard, just make it look good (clean and professional)!" lol. now, that i write and am in the "real" world, some of what he says is true (to a point that is).

How does one write a movie title in a list?

Is it "Longest day, The" or "Longest day,The" ie without a space between (,The)

Also, I notice that the words "The" & "A" are printed at the end of the title following a comma --- what about the word "An" ? ie: "An American In Paris" (or) "American in Paris, An"

Lou: You mean movie titles in citations, bibliographies, etc., right? There are no real grammar rules governing that. That's more a style thing, like the Modern Language Association style, etc. I'm no expert in such things, but I'm quite confident that there are always spaces -- that no word directly touches a comma before it. As for when to put an article like "An" at the end, I'm afraid I don't know. But I bet a copy of the MLA style book could clear it up for you.

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A AAA VS. AN AAA
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ACTION VERBS
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ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES
ALL RIGHT VS ALRIGHT
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AND I VS AND ME
AND I VS. AND ME
anxious vs eager
ANYMORE ANY MORE
ANYMORE VS ANY MORE
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Apostrophe in Mothers Day
Apostrophe in Presidents Day
APOSTROPHE IN SEASON'S GREETINGS
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BAITED BREATH
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beginning a sentence with and
beginning a sentence with but
BEGINNING SENTENCE WITH AND
BEGINNING SENTENCE WITH CONJUNCTION
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LAY IN STATE
LEAD VS. LED
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lighted vs lit
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MORE CLEAR VS CLEARER
MOST COMMON APOSTROPHE ERRORS
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NEEDLESS WORDS
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OBJECTS AND SUBJECTS
OCTOPUSES OR OCTOPI
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OLIVER TWIST
OMIT NEEDLESS WORDS
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OVER AND UNDER
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OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY
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PARALLEL STRUCTURE
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PARTICIPIAL PHRASES
PARTICIPLE VS. PARTICLE
PARTS OF SPEECH
PASSIVE VOICE
past participles
PAST TENSE OF LAY
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PAST TENSE OF SLAY
period before a quotation mark
PERIODS IN INITIALS
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PERIODS INSIDE QUOTATION MARKS
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
PETER SOKOLOWSKI
PHRASAL VERBS
PIRATE TALK
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PLACEMENT OF PREPOSITION
PLURAL NAMES
PLURAL OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL
PLURAL OF MEDIA
PLURAL POSSESSIVE
PLURAL POSSESSIVES
PLURAL POSSESSIVES OF PROPER NOUNS
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PLURAL VERBS
PLURALS OF LATIN WORDS
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PLURALS OF MOVIE TITLES
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possessives
POSSESSIVES OF LAST NAMES
POSSESSIVES OF MOVIE TITLES
POSSESSIVES OF PROPER NAMES
PREDICATE NOMINATIVE
PREPOSITIONS
PRESCRIPTIVISM
PREVENTATIVE
PREVENTIVE VS PREVENTATIVE
PRINCIPAL AND PRINCIPLE
PRINCIPLE and PRINCIPAL
PRONONCIATION
PRONOUN ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT
PRONOUNS IN SHARED POSSESSIVES
PRONOUNS INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
pronunciation of often
proofreading
PUNCTUATION
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QUASI COORDINATOR
QUASI POSSESSIVES
QUESTION MARK
QUOTATION ATTRIBUTION
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raise the question
READER FRIENDLY LANGUAGE
REDUPLICATIVE COPULA
REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS
REIGN VS REIN
REIN vs REIGN
RELATIVE PRONOUN ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT
RELATIVE PRONOUNS
RESTRICTIVE CLAUSES
ROB AND BURGLARIZE
ROCK N ROLL
RUN-ON SENTENCES
RUTH BADER GINSBURG
SAYS VS. SAID
SCARE QUOTES
SEMICOLON ABUSE
semimonthly
SENTENCE ADVERBS
sentence diagramming
SENTENCE ENDING PREPOSITION
SENTENCE ENDING PREPOSITIONS
SENTENCE FRAGMENT
SENTENCE FRAGMENTS
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
SENTENCE STRUCTURES
SENTENCE WRITING
serial comma
SHARED POSSESSIVE
SHARED POSSESSIVES
SHORT SENTENCES
SIMPLE COMPOUND AND COMPLEX SENTENCES
SINCE VS BECAUSE
SINCE VS. BECAUSE
SINGLE QUOTATION MARK
SINGULAR AUSPICE
SINGULAR VERB
SINGULAR VERB WITH EVERY
SINGULAR VS PLURAL
SKUNKED TERMS
SLAVA UKRAINI
SLEIGHT VS SLIGHT
SLOW VS. SLOWLY
SNEAK PEAK VS SNEAK PEEK
SNEAK VS. SNUCK VS. SNEAKED
SO AT THE BEGINNING OF A SENTENCE
SO HELP ME GOD
SPACE AROUND DASHES
spaces around ellipses
SPACES BEFORE AN ELLIPSIS
SPACING BETWEEN SENTENCES
SPEECH TAGS
spell check fail
SPELL-CHECKER
SPIT AND IMAGE
SPITTING IMAGE
split infinitive
SQUINTING MODIFIER
STARTING A SENTENCE WITH AND
STEPHEN CALK
STREAMLINING SENTENCES
STYLE GUIDES
SUBJECT PRONOUNS
SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT
SUBJECT-COMPLEMENT AGREEMENT
SUBJECT-OBJECT AGREEMENT
SUBJUNCTIVE
SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
SUPERLATIVES AND COMPARATIVES
SWAM VS. SWUM
TENSE SHIFTS
terminal punctuation
THAN I VS THAN ME
THANKSGIVING DAY
THAT AND WHICH
THAT VS. WHICH
THAT VS. WHO
THE JOY OF SYNTAX
The Possessive of Jr.
THE REASON IS BECAUSE
THE REASON WHY
THE REASON WHY VS. THE REASON THAT
THE TEAM IS VS THE TEAM ARE
THERE'S VS. THEIRS
THEY'RE AND THEIR
THIS IS HER
THIS IS SHE
THRU THROUGH
THRU VS THROUGH
TILL TIL UNTIL
TITLED VS ENTITLED
TITLES IN ITALICS
TITLES IN QUOTATION MARKS
TO BOLDLY GO
TOO BIG A DEAL
TOO BIG OF A
TOO BIG OF A DEAL
TOWARD VS. TOWARDS
TRANSITIVE VERBS
TRANSITIVE VS. INTRANSITIVE VERBS
TRUMP SPELLING
TRUMP TWEET
UNCLEAR ANTECEDENTS
UNDERLIE PAST TENSE
UNDERWAY / UNDER WAY
UNNECESSARY ADVERBS
UPSIDE DOWN SUBORDINATION
VAGUE WORDS
VARIANT SPELLINGS
VERB AGREEMENT
VERB ASPECT
VERB CONJUGATION
VERB TENSES
veterans day
WAS VS WERE
WAVER VS. WAIVER
WEBSTER'S NEW WORLD
WEIRDEST LANGUAGES
WERE VS WAS
What Does Hoi Pollio Mean
WHAT'S AN APPOSITIVE
When to Capitalize After a Colon
WHEN TO HYPHENATE PREFIXES
WHILE VS ALTHOUGH
WHILE VS THOUGH
WHO AND WHOM
who vs whom
WHOA WOAH WHOAH
WHOMEVER VS. WHOEVER
WHOSE AND WHO'S
WHOSE VS WHO'S
WHOSE VS. WHO'S
WITH VS. OF
WOKE VS WAKED
WORD CHOICE
WORSE COMES TO WORST VS WORST COMES TO WORST
WRITING BOOKS
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WRITING FOR CLARITY
WRITING SKILLS
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Movie Titles In An Essay
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How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay
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. Bonus: APA Citation for the Bible. For MLA format (2):
How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay or Article
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 ...
How to Format Movie Titles in Writing: A Comprehensive Guide
1. Capitalization and punctuation: - In general, capitalize the principal words of the movie title. - Use italics to format movie titles, unless you're writing by hand or on a platform without italics capability. - Don't place a period at the end of a movie title, even when the title itself is a complete sentence. 2.
Movie Titles Examples & Style Guide
if they are the first word in the title. proper nouns must always be capitalized. For example: The 2012 Oscar for the best foreign-language film went to A Separation by Asghar Farhadi. Although a ...
When Writing a Movie Title in an Essay: Expert Recommendations
3. Exclude articles and prepositions: When including movie titles in your essay, exclude articles (such as "the" or "a") and prepositions (such as "of" or "in") unless they are the first or last word of the title. This rule helps maintain conciseness and clarity in your writing. For example, if you are mentioning the film ...
How to write the title of a Movie in an Essay
The organization published the AP format for journalists to use in 1953. The correct way to write a movie title on an AP-style paper is to capitalize the first letter of the first word and all the main words. Conjunctions and prepositions more than three letters long also need their first letter capitalized.
How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay
Learn the formatting rules for APA, MLA, and other citation styles; get examples of writing movie titles in essays. 1-866-751-7057 Manage your orders
7 Steps to Write a Movie Title in an Essay
Capitalize the title of the movie. When you write the title of a movie, you will generally follow the conventions of capitalization for titles. That means that you will capitalize the first word and the last word and all proper nouns and important words in the title. Capitalization can be tricky, however, because many movies use stylized ...
How to Write a Title of a Movie in a Paper
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.
How to write a movie title in an essay
Writing movie titles in an essay requires attention to detail and adherence to formatting and citation guidelines. By following these best practices, you will ensure that your essay is well-structured, easy to read, and meets academic writing standards. Consistency in formatting and citation style is crucial, as is following your instructor's ...
MLA Titles
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 ...
How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay
The principal parts should be in uppercase. The first letter of the first and the last word should be in uppercase. Put the name of the movie in the quotation. Words shorter than four letters will start with an uppercase if they are the first or last word in the movie titles.
Your Guide to Writing a Movie Title in Essay
How to Put a Movie Title in an Essay. Writing a movie title in essay has different components that have evolved through the ages. The rise of computer technology has drastically changed how learners handle this subject. It has changed some elements, like underlining movie titles. For instance, before personal computers became common, students ...
How To Write A Movie Title In An Essay
Follow this with the title. Reference the medium used to watch it, for instance DVD. Specify the location of the distributor, and the name of the distributor (for instance, California: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures). In MLA, you: List the director like this: Last name, First name. Write the movie title.
How to Punctuate Movie Titles in Writing: Get it Right!
Here are some valuable tips to help you navigate the world of punctuating movie titles: 1. Use quotation marks: When referring to a specific movie title, enclose it in quotation marks. For example, "Inception" is an intricate and mind-boggling film that explores the depths of dreams and reality. 2.
How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay
Here are some general rules to follow: Start the movie title with a capital letter; Capitalize all the nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs; Do not capitalize propositions and articles ...
Do You Underline a Movie Title When Writing a Paper? Best Practices
A: Yes, there are specific scenarios where italics are not used. For example, if you are handwriting your paper or are in a situation where italics are not available, you can underline the movie title instead. However, it is always best to abide by modern writing conventions and use italics whenever possible.
How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay APA?
First Word in Title and Subtitle: Capitalize the first word in both the heading and subheading, even if it is an article like 'A' or 'The.'. After Colon and Em Dash: The first term after a colon or em dash is capitalized. Words with Hyphens: If a major word is hyphenated, both parts are capitalized. Movie Titles in Quotes or Italics APA: When ...
Are Movies Italicized?
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.
Treatment of titles
Titles of book series or editions are capitalized but not italicized. Parts of a book. When referring to parts of a book—preface, foreword, appendix, chapter, etc.—use lowercase. Titles of articles, chapters, poems, and shorter works. Titles of articles, chapters, poems, and shorter works are set in roman type and enclosed with quotation marks.
Do You Underline Movie Titles When Writing a Paper? Correct Format
In conclusion, it is important to remember that when writing a paper, movie titles should be italicized or put in quotation marks. Categories Title Writing, Writing. Pirate Writing Prompt: Set Sail for Creative Adventures. When Writing a Paper: Italicize Book Titles for Clarity.
3 Responses to "How to Write Book and Movie Titles
Most couldn't make italics. So newspapers put book and movie titles into quotation marks. Magazine titles they just capitalize, skipping the quote marks. <<Jane writes for the Time and Newsweek.>>. Book publishers, which have a greater need to print things like tables and charts and excerpts, have had a greater need for flexible printing ...
How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay
As such, there are three formats that can be used to format a movie title. 1. Short: One Word Per Line. The shortest format for a movie title is actually one word per line. If the title is longer, it may be better to use the word first, followed by another word or two, then a colon, and then the title.

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How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay or Article

How to Write a Movie Title in an Article

Why You Need a Specific Format

Key Principles and Rules

How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay

Academic Referencing Styles

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

Write a Movie Title in AP style

Write a Movie Title in Title Case

Chicago Style

Incorrect ways to write a movie title

A note on reference lists

Other Points of Interest

How to write a quote from a movie

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

Where does the word ‘movie’ come from?

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How to Title a Movie or Film in an Essay or Paper

Formatting a Movie Title in an Essay or Paper

1. How To Write A Movie Title In-Text On An MLA-Style Paper

2. How to Write a Movie Title In-Text on an APA-Style Paper

3. Writing A Movie Title In-Text On A Chicago-Style Paper

4. How to Write a Movie Title In-Text on an AP-Style Paper

Seven Steps to Writing a Movie Title

1. Ensure the Movie You Are Referencing Is the Correct Movie

2. Ensure You Have the Wording Right

3. Do Not Leave Out Articles

4. Capitalize the First Word and the Main Words

5. Italicize the Title

6. State the Year of Release

7. Consider Using an Assignment Help Service

As we come to the End?

Is it necessary to include the year of release when writing a movie title in a college essay?

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Do you underline movie titles in essays?

Is there a problem if I do not format my movie title correctly?

Movie Title in Essays: How to Write Them in Text

Are Movies Italicized?

How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay

Capitalization

APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles for Movie Titles

Italics vs. Double Quotations

Underlining?

Punctuation

Citing Movie Titles in References

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7 Steps to Write a Movie Title in an Essay

Make sure you have the right movie

Check the wording of the title

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Capitalize the title of the movie

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