Should an Essay Title be Italicized?

Oh, the age-old question: Should an essay title be italicized? Well, buckle up my dear reader, as we're about to embark on a thrilling ride through the world of essay formatting.

🤔 'To Italicize or Not: A Tale of Essay Titles'

First things first, let's clear up the confusion. No, an essay title should not be italicized. But wait, don't rush to your keyboard just yet. There's more nuance to it. While the essay title itself isn't italicized, titles of works that are part of a larger work (like a book chapter, or an article in a journal) or standalone works (like books, movies, albums) within your essay should be italicized.

So, you might be wondering, what exactly should I italicize in my essay? Well, here's a handy checklist to guide you:

Now that you've got that down, let's dive into how to properly reference these in your essay.

Now, if you are referring to a book title within your essay, then you should definitely italicize it. For example, if you're writing an essay about the impact of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series on modern literature, you'd italicize "Harry Potter". Check out this article on how to write a book title in an essay for more detailed information.

📚 'APA vs MLA: The Clash of the Formatting Titans'

When it comes to essay formatting, there are two big players in town: APA and MLA. Both have specific rules for when and how to use italics in your essay.

In APA format, the title page should contain the title of your paper, your name, and your institutional affiliation. But remember, no italics on the essay title. For more on this, head over to our detailed APA format title page guide.

On the other hand, in MLA format, the heading appears on the first page of your essay. It includes your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. But again, no italics on the essay title. Our MLA format essay examples can help you understand better.

📝 'Expository Essays: The Blueprint to Success'

Let's take a specific example, the expository essay. This type of essay generally follows the standard essay format: an introduction with a thesis, a body containing facts supporting the thesis, and a conclusion. But should any of this be italicized? The answer is a resounding nope! The expository essay layout does not require any part of it to be italicized.

Learn more about 📝 Expository Essay Formatting Quiz or discover other Superior Formatting quizzes.

💡 'Parting Wisdom: The Last Word on Italics'

To wrap it all up, remember that the title of your essay should not be italicized. The only time you should use italics in your essay is when you're referring to other works within your text. So, go forth and write your essays with the confidence of a formatting pro. And remember, when in doubt, just refer back to this handy essay formatting guide. Happy writing!

Theodore S. Harmon

Teaching, English Grammar, Expository Essays, Synthesis Essays

Theodore S. Harmon is a retired high school English teacher with a passion for helping students excel in their writing. He has a wealth of knowledge on various essay types and formatting styles. His humorous and relatable writing style makes learning about essay formatting a delight.