is a dissertation title italicized

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Italics and Quotes for Titles: A Guide

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We’ve all been there. We’re writing along, solidly in the groove, when the Formatting Wall appears around a seemingly safe corner. Abruptly halting, you wonder: How the heck am I supposed to format this title?

Titles come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have rules for formatting that you master with just a little work. Italics, quotes, even plain text: they all apply in certain situations. How do you know which is which?

Use italics to set apart the title of a standalone work or a “container work”—that is, a work that has other, smaller works within it. Examples of titles that should be italicized include:

• Academic journals
• Music albums
• Large musical compositions such as symphonies and operas
• Anthologies of poems
• Art exhibitions

For example:

My brother insists that Fists of Fury is the best movie ever made.

Have you read the latest issue of Scottish Archaeology Journal ? It’s riveting!

I know it’s not a popular opinion, but I think La Boheme, by Giacomo Puccini, is an overrated opera.

I can’t believe the TV show Supernatural is in its fourteenth season.

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Use quotation marks to set apart the title of a subsidiary work or a work that is part of a bigger piece (one where the title of that bigger piece would be italicized). Examples of when to use quotes include:

• Book chapters
• Articles (published in a journal)
• Short stories
• Song titles
• TV episodes
• Works of art (including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and performance art)

Why do I have to read Hemingway’s “ A Clean, Well-Lighted Place ” in every English class?

I can’t get the tune to “Amazing Grace” out of my head.

Every time I think of William Carlos Williams, I get irritated. “ This Is Just to Say ” is a beautiful poem, but it reminds me of my terrible roommate.

And so you can easily demonstrate which is the work “inside” the other work with proper punctuation:

My favorite episode of Doctor Who is “Blink,” without a doubt.

I love everything by the Beatles, but I think “I Should Have Known Better” from A Hard Day’s Night is an underrated classic.

Modern Construction Envelopes is a very useful reference in general, but chapter 12, “Fabric Roofs,” is groundbreaking.

The highlight of the recent exhibition, Pin-Ups: Toulouse-Lautrec and the Art of Celebrity, had to be Steinlen’s “ Cabaret du Chat Noir .” It was fascinating to see in person what I’ve seen on a wall in every undergraduate dorm across the country.

There are, of course, exceptions. A few types of publications and creative works stand a little apart from the general categories of “standalone/wrapper work” and “subsidiary work.”

For example, dissertations are typically standalone documents, but their titles go in quotation marks.

The best dissertation ever written is “The False Optic: Poisoned Fictional Objects in Renaissance Revenge Tragedies.”

I’m always moved to tears by Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor , “From the New World .”

How to Remember

A relatively easy way to remember these rules involves whether a work is “big” or “little.” If it’s a grand, sweeping thing that might contain other bits within it, like a book or journal, then use italics. If it’s a smaller thing that might itself be contained within something else, like a newspaper article or work of art in an exhibition, then it goes in quotes.

Oh, and don’t forget to capitalize those titles correctly , in addition to formatting them right.

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Formatting Titles

3-minute read

• 23rd April 2018

If you need advice about formatting headings in your work, try this post . But if you want to know about formatting titles of other works in your writing (e.g., books or journal articles), you’re in the right place! Read on to find out when to use italics and quote marks for titles in your work .

First, let’s give an example of what we mean. Take the following sentence:

Here, “Game of Thrones” refers to a popular TV show. If we didn’t know this, we might guess from the capitalization , but most style guides also recommend using distinct formatting for titles. This usually means italicizing the title or placing it in quote marks. But when does each apply?

Longer Works (Italics)

Titles of longer works, such as books or TV shows, are usually italicized:

We use italics for Game of Thrones because it refers to an entire TV series. Works that require italics for titles in this manner include:

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• Books and book-length poems
• Journals, newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals
• Entire websites and blogs
• Movies, radio programs, and TV shows
• Plays, musicals, and other stage shows
• Paintings, statues, and other works of art
• Music albums and other long recordings

Importantly, all of these are standalone works (i.e., published by themselves rather than as part of a larger whole). So, for example, you would italicize the name of a blog (e.g., Jenny’s Cooking Blog ), but not the name of a post taken from that blog (e.g., “How to Make Beef Stroganoff”).

Shorter Works (Quote Marks)

With shorter works that are part of a larger whole, titles should be given in quotation marks . An episode of Game of Thrones , for instance, would be written as follows:

Here, the formatting lets us instantly distinguish between an episode title and the show title. Quotation marks are also used when referring to titles of:

• Chapters from books or edited volumes
• Articles from newspapers, magazines, journals and other periodicals
• Particular pages from a website or posts from a blog
• Individual poems, short stories, and other short literary works
• Single episodes from a TV series
• Songs and other short recordings
• Unpublished writing (regardless of length)

With most of these, the key is that they’re published as part of a longer work or series. The only exception to this is unpublished writing (e.g., a PhD dissertation or an unpublished manuscript).

Beware Exceptions!

As with most rules in writing, there are exceptions to these guidelines about formatting titles. For example, APA has different rules depending on whether a title appears in the main text or the reference list. It is therefore always worth checking your style guide to see if it has specific requirements.

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APA Style 7th Edition: Citing Your Sources

• Basics of APA Formatting
• In Text Quick View
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• Books & eBooks
• Thesis/Dissertation

Standard Format

Formatting rules, various examples.

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Adapted from American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed).  https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Formatting:

• Italicize the title
• Identify whether source is doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis in parentheses after the title

See Ch. 10 pp. 313-352 of APA Manual for more examples and formatting rules

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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

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Dissertation Title Best Practices

Dissertations are a valuable resource for other scholars, only if they can be easily located. Modern retrieval systems generally use the words in the title to locate a document. It is essential that the title be an accurate and meaningful description of the content and that obscure references be avoided. Please use these guidelines when formulating a dissertation title:

The first and last words and all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs (if, because, as, that, etc.) are capitalized. Articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, for, nor), and prepositions, regardless of length, are lowercased unless they are the first or last word of the title or subtitle. Only acronyms should be set in full capitals.

Examples:  

• Power and Consumer Behavior
• Outpatient Treatment for Children:  Organizational Practices as Predictors of Recovery
• A Comparison of the Methodologies for Determining Achievement in High School

Hyphenation

  Consult the dictionary as to whether a word is hyphenated. In general, do not hyphenate words beginning with the prefixes co, non, pre, post, or re unless there is a possibility of confusion (co-op, post-master's) or the root word begins with a capital letter (post-Renaissance). Hyphenate words beginning with the prefix self. Hyphenate compounds used as adjectives (decision-making) but not as nouns (decision maker). Part-time is always hyphenated. When more than one prefix is joined to a base word, hyphenate the prefixes standing alone (micro- and macroeconomics). Do not hyphenate fundraising, freelance, yearlong, health care, African American, Asian American.

Example: 

• Great Nonfiction Works of the Nineteenth Century (Instead of: Great Non-fiction Works of the 19th Century)

Spelling and Grammar

Dissertation titles should be spell-checked and dictionary spelling of words should be used.  Use “and” rather than “&,” and spell out names of centuries and other numbers usually spelled out in text.

• The Labour Party in Perspective and Twelve Years Later

Special Characters 

No special characters should appear in the dissertation title (SES/CAESAR cannot accommodate special characters).  Terms or phrases that include special characters should instead be written out.

• Evaluation of DNA Hybridization and Cleavage Capabilities of Peptide Nucleic Acid-Titanium Dioxide (instead of: Evaluation of DNA Hybridization and Cleavage Capabilities of PNA-TiO2)
• The Role of TGF-beta Variants in Cancer (instead of: The Role of TGF-β Variants in Cancer)

Italicization

Examples: 

• Techniques in Drosophila Circadian Biology
• Mechanisms of Differentiated Cell Function in vitro

Apostrophes

Do not use to form plurals (it should be 1940s, not 1940's) unless it would be confusing without (thus A's and B's, not As and Bs; p's, not ps). Possessives of singular nouns ending in s are formed by adding 's (e.g., Russ's dog).

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Chicago Citation Style Guide

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• Note-Bibliography Basics
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• Citing Journal Articles
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Theses & Dissertations

Citing a published thesis, citing an unpublished thesis, citing a thesis in online database or repository.

• CMS 14.224: Theses and dissertations

Titles of unpublished works appear in "quotation marks"—not in italics . This treatment extends to theses and dissertations, which are otherwise cited like books.

The kind of thesis, the academic institution, and the date follow the title. Like the publication data of a book, these are enclosed in parentheses in a note but not in a bibliography.

If the document was consulted online, include a URL or, for documents retrieved from a commercial database, give the name of the database and, in parentheses, any identification number supplied or recommended by the database.

For dissertations issued on microfilm, see 14.120 . For published abstracts of dissertations, see 14.197 .

Note-Bibliography

First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," (Publisher, Year).

      Mihwa Choi, “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty,” PhD diss., (University of Chicago, 2008).

Short Note:

Last-name, "Title of Thesis."

Choi. “Contesting Imaginaires ."

Bibliography Entry:

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Year.

Choi, Mihwa. “Contesting Imaginaires in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.” PhD diss. University      of Chicago, 2008.

Author-Date

Text Citation:

(Last-name Year)

(Mihwa 2008)

Reference Entry:

Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle."

Choi, Mihwa. 2008. “Contesting  Imaginaires  in Death Rituals during the Northern Song Dynasty.”  PhD diss.       University of Chicago.

Note -Bibliography

Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Unpublished thesis type, University. Year.

Barry C. Hosking, "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand," PhD diss., (Ghent University, 2010).

Note #. Last-name,"Title of Thesis."

Barry C. Hosking, "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes."

Bibliography:

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University. Year.

Hosking, Barry C. "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University, 2010.

(Hosking 2010)

Last-name, First-name.  Year.  "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Unpublished thesis type. University.

Hosking, Barry C.    2010.  "The Control of Gastro-intestinal Nematodes in Sheep with the Amino-acetonitrile Derivative, Monepantel with a Particular Focus on Australia and New Zealand." PhD diss., Ghent University.

Note #. First-name Last-name, "Title of Thesis: Subtitle," Database Name (Identifier if given), Year, Internet address.

      12. Meredith Stewart, "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus, " Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222), 2005, http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

Note #. Last-name, "Title of Thesis."

21. Stewart, "An Investigation into Aspects."

Last-name, First-name. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle." Database Name (Identifier if given), Year. Internet address.

Stewart, Meredith. "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus ." Australasian Digital Theses Program (WMU2005.1222),  2005. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

(Stewart 2005)

Last-name, First-name. Year. "Title of Thesis: Subtitle."  Database Name  (Identifier if given), Internet address.

Stewart, Meredith. 2005. "An Investigation into Aspects of the Replication of Jembrana Disease Virus ." Australasian Digital Theses Program  (WMU2005.1222),    http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20051222.104106.

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How to cite a dissertation in apa 7, published by steve tippins on june 25, 2020 june 25, 2020.

Last Updated on: 3rd June 2022, 04:25 am

The specific guidelines for how to cite a dissertation in APA style depend on a few factors. We’ll go over those below. However, no matter the specifics of the citation, the title of the dissertation is always written the same way.

The dissertation’s title should be written in sentence case and in italics. The first word of the title should be capitalized, and all other words should be in lower case, except for proper nouns.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the specifics of how to cite a dissertation in APA.

How to Cite a Dissertation in APA

In Text Citation

The guidelines for how to cite a dissertation in APA are the same for writing an in-text citation, paraphrase, and quotation; only the format for the reference list differs.  

(Name of Author, year)

(Stanford, 2016)

Horace Mann developed the common school, which was a free, non-sectarian, public institution (Stanford, 2016).  

According to Stanford (2016), “the common school was the best educational institution to help Americans achieve moral and socioeconomic uplift” (p. 46). 

Reference List

P ublished Dissertations

Published dissertations and theses are on databases, such as Pro-Quest Dissertations and Theses Globa, a university archive, or a website.

Author’s last name, initial of first name. (Year). Title of dissertation or thesis (Publication number). [Type of dissertation or thesis, Academic Institution]. Name of database.

Howard, B. (2017). The new media and literary structures . (Publication No. 1076483) [Doctoral dissertation or Master’s Thesis, University of Virginia]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Unpublished Dissertations

Unpublished dissertations and theses are usually only available in print form. 

Author’s last name, initial of first name. (Year). Title of dissertation or thesis (Unpublished doctoral or master’s thesis). Academic Institution.

Stanford, C. (2016). Horace Mann (1796–1859) and nineteenth-century educational reform . (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Ohio State University. 

Note: For dissertations and theses published or unpublished in countries other than the United States, you have to provide the location.  

Howard, B. (2017). The new media and literary structures . (Publication No. 1076483) [Doctoral dissertation or Master’s Thesis, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Dissertation From an Academic Institution’s Online Archive

There is only one difference in the guidelines for how to cite a dissertation from an online archive or repository and other ones. The name of the institution’s repository or archive and link needs to be provided. It should be written at the end of the other publication information.

In-text citation

Template (Name of Author, year) 

Example (Howard, 2017)

Paraphrase Literary structure is the arrangement of text elements, written in a way that ensures the author’s meaning is conveyed (Howard, 2017).  

Quotation  According to Howard (2016), “technological advances have resulted in a change in the paradigm regarding literature structures” (p. 46). 

Howard, B. (2017). The new media and literary structures . (Publication No. 1076483) [Doctoral dissertation or Master’s Thesis, University of Virginia]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. University of Virginia Archives. https://uovarchives.net/10389/11814

How to Cite a Dissertation Published Online (Not in a Database)

The guidelines for how to cite a dissertation or thesis published online are similar to those of published and unpublished ones, except for the format in the reference list.  

Reference list

Author’s last name, initial of first name. (Year). Title of dissertation or thesis (Publication number). [Type of dissertation or thesis, Academic Institution]. URL.

Howard, B. (2017). The new media and literary structures . (Publication No. 1076483) [Doctoral dissertation or Master’s Thesis, University of Virginia]. https://uv.edu/Howard /10288/

Note: You can find more information about how to cite a dissertation or thesis in APA 7th editionon pages 333-334.

How to Cite a Dissertation in APA Style: Final Thoughts

Citing a dissertation is relatively simple. As long as you adhere to the rules above, you should have no problem generating the correct citations.

If you need of assistance with APA style, feel free to take a look at our Dissertation Editing services.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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Modern Languages Association (MLA) style, 7th edition

To our knowledge, the MLA style does not distinguish between titles for articles as a whole and dissertations. As such, we have based this style guide on the requirements for titles set out by the MLA style guide, 7th edition. The main considerations when writing your dissertation title from a style perspective are: (a) capitalisation in titles and subtitles; (b) when not to capitalise in titles and subtitles; (c) italics; (d) quotation marks; and (e) hyphenated compounds. Each of these considerations is present below with associated examples:

Capitalisation in titles and subtitles

The first letter of a title and subtitle should be capitalised. A subtitle should be separated using a colon or hyphen and then a single space (i.e., Title: Subtitle OR Title — Subtitle). If a subtitle follows a title that ends with a question mark, a colon should not follow the colon (i.e., Title? Subtitle NOT Title?: Subtitle). Also, the last word of the title and subtitle should be capitalised [examples in bold below]

M odernisms and Medievalisms, Old and N ew

B lue O rder: W allace Stevens's Jazz E xperiments

R eading R enunciation: L aura Riding and the End of P oetry

P rivate Worlds, Public M inds: W oolf, Russell and Photographic V ision

Subordinating conjunctions (e.g., after, although, because, before, until, when, where) [bold below] :

The Eight Animals in Shakespeare; or, Before the Human

All adjectives , adverbs , nouns , pronouns , and verbs should be capitalized, in addition to all words that have four letters or more.

When not to capitalise in titles and subtitles

Do not capitalise articles (i.e., a, an, the) unless they are the first letter of a title or subtitle [bold below] :

"Vertebrae on Which a Seraph Might Make Music"

Rich Woman, Poor Woman: Toward an Anthropology of the Nineteenth-Century Marriage Plot

Reading Renunciation: Laura Riding and the End of Poetry

Do not capitalise prepositions (e.g., as, at, by, in, of, off, on, to, up) [bold below] :

Eliot's Last Laugh: The Dissolution of Satire in The Waste Land

The Enfreakment of America's Jeune Fille � Marier : Lily Bart to Carrie Bradshaw

Do not capitalise coordinating conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, for, nor) [bold below] :

Modernisms and Medievalisms, Old and New

Math for Math's Sake: Non-Euclidean Geometry, Aestheticism, and Flatland

Do not capitalise the word to in infinitives (e.g., to Interpret, to Provide)

Italics should be used for names of books, poems that are published as books, journals, magazines, newspapers, operas, paintings, plays, sculptures, and Web sites (for a complete list, refer to 3.6.2 (p.88) of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers , 7th edition) [bold below] :

On Homelands and Home-Making: Rebecca Goldstein's Mazel

Stumbling into Crossfire: William Carlos Williams, Partisan Review , and the Left in the 1930s

Trauma and Cure in Rebecca West's The Return of the Soldier

Quotation marks

Quotation marks should be used for the titles of articles (i.e. articles of encyclopaedias, journals, and magazines), chapters and essays in books, lectures, poems, radio and television episodes, songs, stories, and Web pages. Quotations marks should be double (i.e., "..." ), not single (i.e., '...' ) [bold below] :

" A Few Cool Years after These " : Midlife at Midcentury in Niedecker's Lyrics

Bottomless Surfaces: Saul Bellow's " Refreshed Phrenology "

Hyphenated compounds

When hyphenated compounds capitalised in titles, both words should be capitalised (e.g., Time-Based, Self-Regulation, Short-Term).

If the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers , 7th edition, is not in your university library, it can be purchased on Amazon for around £15/US$12/CDN$26. It is a comprehensive guide to the MLA style.

Clements, J. (2009) Bottomless Surfaces: Saul Bellow's "Refreshed Phrenology", Journal of Modern Literature , 33(1): 75-91

Cohen, M.A. (2009) Stumbling into Crossfire: William Carlos Williams, Partisan Review, and the Left in the 1930s, Journal of Modern Literature , 32(2): 143-158.

Fisher, T. (2010) Reading Renunciation: Laura Riding and the End of Poetry, Journal of Modern Literature , 33(3): 1-19.

Savage, E. (2010) "A Few Cool Years after These": Midlife at Midcentury in Niedecker's Lyrics, Journal of Modern Literature , 33(3): 20-37.

DiCicco, L. (2010) The Enfreakment of America's Jeune Fille à Marier: Lily Bart to Carrie Bradshaw, Journal of Modern Literature , 33(3): 78-98.

Henderson, A. (2010) Math for Math's Sake: Non-Euclidean Geometry, Aestheticism, and Flatland, PMLA , 124(2): 455-471.

Hoffman, K.A. (2010) ?Vertebrae on Which a Seraph Might Make Music?, PMLA , 125(1): 152-160.

Keane, D. (2009) Modernisms and Medievalisms, Old and New, Journal of Modern Literature , 32(2): 185-192.

Lehman, R.S. (2009) Eliot's Last Laugh: The Dissolution of Satire in The Waste Land, Journal of Modern Literature , 32(2): 65-79.

Mackin, T. (2010) Private Worlds, Public Minds: Woolf, Russell and Photographic Vision, Journal of Modern Literature , 33(3): 112-130.

Meyers, H. (2010) On Homelands and Home-Making: Rebecca Goldstein's Mazel, Journal of Modern Literature , 33(3): 131-141.

Michie, E.B. (2009) Rich Woman, Poor Woman: Toward an Anthropology of the Nineteenth-Century Marriage Plot, PMLA , 124(2): 421-436.

Pinkerton, S. (2008) Trauma and Cure in Rebecca West's The Return of the Soldier, Journal of Modern Literature , 32(1): 1-12.

Shannon, L. (2009) The Eight Animals in Shakespeare; or, Before the Human, PMLA , 124(2): 472-479.

Taylor, C.M. (2009) Blue Order: Wallace Stevens's Jazz Experiments, Journal of Modern Literature , 32(2): 100-117.

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Quoting or Italicizing Research Papers: What’s the Rule?

When it comes to citing research papers, there is often confusion as to the correct formatting of titles and whether they should be italicized or enclosed in quotation marks. This article will provide an overview of the rules for quoting or italicizing research paper titles, highlighting the differences between APA (American Psychological Association) style and MLA (Modern Language Association) style guidelines. We will discuss when quotes are needed, as well as how they differ from regular citations within a paper. Additionally, this article provides recommendations on best practices for ensuring accuracy throughout your research work.

I. Introduction to Quoting and Italicizing Research Papers

Ii. defining rules of grammar for quotations in academic writing, iii. benefits of using citations in research papers, iv. syntax considerations for directly citing sources within texts, v. punctuation guidelines when integrating quotes into sentences, vi. differentiating between italics and quotation marks when working with titles, vii. conclusion: employing appropriate techniques when utilizing citations.

When writing a research paper, it is important to properly cite and format references. This includes understanding how to correctly quote or italicize titles of academic sources.

The title of an article, journal entry, book chapter, or entire work should be placed in italics . For example: “Is Anxiety the New Normal?” An anthology of short stories could also be italicized (e.g., The Best American Short Stories). On the other hand, when citing individual contributions from within an anthology— such as essays or chapters— these should all be enclosed in quotation marks . Thus for this source we would write: “Can We Even Imagine Life Without Technology?”

Other materials may have both quotation marks and italics depending on their length; this applies mostly to longer works like books which can either receive full quotes around them e.g., “War and Peace” -or- they can simply have their name written in Italics e.g., War and Peace. While rules do exist about when each type of formatting should occur remember that ultimately you must follow your professor’s instructions as priority!

Grammar rules for quotations are a fundamental aspect of academic writing. This section will explain the necessary criteria and considerations when quoting within your work.

Quotations must always be used with utmost accuracy, as any misquotation or error in attribution can have severe implications on credibility and overall quality of research. It is therefore important to consider which type of quotation is most suitable for the context you’re using it in: direct quotes , where words from another source are reproduced verbatim; paraphrasing , where ideas from another source are reworded but still maintain original meaning; or even an indirect quote, which occurs when only part of the idea is being referred to without citing directly.

When including direct quotes into a sentence structure, they should always be enclosed by single quotation marks (‘ ‘). The citation should also include information about who said it (the speaker) and what publication (source) was quoted – though this may vary depending on your field’s citation conventions. On top of that, any changes made to direct quotes such as added emphasis or omission of certain words need to be explicitly marked off within brackets [ ] if there’s no risk readers might not recognize these alterations were done by someone other than yourself.

In terms of formatting itself – books titles & movie names should appear in italics whereas research papers would usually get placed inside double quotation marks (” “). Of course this could depend on some specific styling guidelines set out by a university department so best check those first before going ahead!

Accuracy and Validity

When citations are used in research papers, it allows for a higher level of accuracy. Sources can be easily verified as the researcher has provided details on where they have obtained their information from. This ensures that readers know exactly what resources were utilized in the making of the paper and helps them to understand any further context required to comprehend the argument being presented accurately. Furthermore, by giving credit where it is due, proper use of citations also acts as an assurance that ideas from other sources will not be plagiarized or misrepresented.

Recognition of Source Material Including appropriate citations provides acknowledgement and recognition for source material utilized within a paper. It encourages knowledge sharing between researchers and gives those who wrote previous works such as books or journals proper attribution for their contribution towards academics. Additionally, when quoting someone’s words directly within your essay, using quotations marks around these phrases is essential; however some style guides may require you to italicize research papers instead.

Comparing Citation Formats When citing sources in text, it is important to determine which citation format should be used. Depending on the type of source being cited (e.g., book, website) and the audience reading the document, one may opt for a more formal APA or MLA style of referencing versus a less-structured method such as Harvard Referencing. When citing published works from academic journals or research papers within text these are typically italicized , while webpages with no author attribution can often be referenced through direct quotes embedded into sentences using quotation marks. It is also important to take into consideration specific formatting requirements according to different platforms or outlets; articles written for publication in scholarly databases usually need strict adherence to certain protocols regarding punctuation use and capitalization rules when directly quoting sources within text sections.

In addition to writing standards set forth by an outlet’s submission guidelines, other elements that require attention include proper spacing around words contained inside quotation marks, accurate line breaks between citations without any additional characters added in order avoid confusion among readers unfamiliar with syntactic conventions related specifically to textual citing practices across multiple genres and disciplines. Any inconsistencies could result in discrepancies between original texts quoted verbatim from their authors and those appearing upon rereading once incorporated into new documents – potentially resulting lost meaning due further alterations beyond what was initially intended by writers whose work was originally consulted for inclusion during the composing process.

Integrating Quotations into Sentences

It is important to be mindful of punctuation when incorporating quotations into sentences. As a general rule, the sentence’s terminal punctuation should come before the citation. For example: He said “I will make sure it gets done.” In cases where there are parenthetical citations involved such as MLA or APA format, end punctuation should be placed outside of the parentheses following the quotation marks at all times.

Additionally, references to works such as books and research papers must be italicized in order for readers to clearly distinguish between quoted material and original writing. Therefore, according to MLA guidelines if you were citing something from a book called “The Unfinished Work” you would write It was apparent that his work had been left “unfinished” (Simmons). All titles which do not appear within quotation marks should also be italicized accordingly.

When citing titles of works, it’s important to know the difference between italicized and quoted words. Italics are used for longer works such as books or movies; quotation marks are typically reserved for shorter pieces, like articles or poems. For example: The Lord of the Rings should be written in italics, while a “Harry Potter” poem might appear within quotes.

It’s also essential to understand when research papers should be italicized vs. placed in quotations – which can get confusing! Generally speaking, journal articles and other short-form research papers will have their titles enclosed in quotation marks when mentioned outside of parentheses.

• For instance: “A Study on Hormones & Hair Growth”

However, any lengthy academic texts that involve chapters and multiple authors must use an appropriate level of formatting such as with italics (i.e., journals) or underlining (if writing by hand). Examples include:

• “Analyzing Ecological Impact Across Multiple Nations,” or even entire textbooks like The Definitive Guide To Physical Chemistry.

When it comes to citing sources in research papers, employing the right techniques can make a world of difference. The appropriate use of citations is essential for ensuring accuracy and integrity throughout your work. As such, when crafting any type of paper or presentation involving references from external works, be sure to utilize the following practices:

• Include In-text Citations – Whenever you reference ideas, facts or quotes taken from an outside source within the body of your text, always include an in-text citation that identifies where this information was found.
• Utilize Proper Formatting – When documenting what sources were consulted during research (known as ‘Works Cited’), adhere to accepted formatting guidelines which may vary depending on style requirements.

For example if using MLA format conventions then all titles should be not quoted . Additionally full bibliographic information must accompany each entry including author name(s), title & edition date among other data points. Similarly with APA referencing rules one would write out journal titles in full rather than abbreviate them while certain pieces such as newspapers need special attention too.

To ensure everything flows smoothly double check all entries against their respective style guides prior to submission – correctness here will go a long way towards getting top marks!

In conclusion, this article has provided a comprehensive overview of the rules and conventions associated with quoting or italicizing research papers. As we have seen, there is no single “correct” answer to the question; instead, various style guides provide guidance on how best to cite sources in academic writing. Ultimately, it is important for authors to be consistent when citing their sources so that readers can easily locate original source materials should they wish. While these guidelines may seem complex at first glance, with some practice they become second nature and help contribute towards creating an effective and well-referenced work of scholarship.

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

Simply put: no .

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some examples:

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

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

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

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• Last Updated Jun 12, 2022
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• Answered By Kate Anderson, Librarian

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Comments (8)

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

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APA 7th Edition Citation Examples

• Volume and Issue Numbers
• Page Numbers
• Undated Sources
• Citing a Source Within a Source
• In-Text Citations
• Academic Journals
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• Book, Film, and Product Reviews
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Format for dissertations and theses

Dissertations and theses database.

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Author last name, first initial. (Year).  Title of dissertation/thesis  (Publication No.) [Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis, University]. Database. URL

• Author:  List the last name, followed by the first initial (and second initial). See  Authors  for more information.
• Year:  List the year between parentheses, followed by a period.
• Title of dissertation/thesis:  In italics. Capitalize the first word of the title, subtitle, and proper nouns.
• Publication number: Can be found in Dissertations and Theses database, listed in the item record as “Dissertation/thesis number.”
• Doctoral dissertation/Master's thesis:  List whether it is a dissertation or a thesis.
• University:  List the university associated with the dissertation/thesis.
• Database:  List database the dissertation/thesis was found in, if found in a database.
• URL:  List URL if found on the free Web rather than in a database.

See specific examples below.

Dissertations:

Pecore, J. T. (2004). Sounding the spirit of Cambodia: The living tradition of Khmer music and dance-drama in a Washington, DC community  (Publication No. 3114720) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Maryland]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. 

Master's Theses:

Hollander, M. M. (2017). Resitance to authority: Methodological innovations and new lessons from the Milgram experiment   (Publication No. 10289373) [Master's thesis, University of Wisconsin - Madison]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

APA calls for the citation to include a unique identifying number for the dissertation, labeling it “Publication No.” That number can be found in Dissertations and Theses database, listed in the item record as “Dissertation/thesis number.”

Karamanos, X. (2020). The influence of professional development models on student mathematics performance in New Jersey public elementary schools [Doctoral dissertation, Seton Hall University]. Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2732

Bordo, V. C. (2011). Making a case for the use of foreign language in the educational activities of nonprofit arts organizations [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses & Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1311135640

Caprette, C. L. (2005). Conquering the cold shudder: The origin and evolution of snake eyes  [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University].

Angelova, A. N. (2004). Data pruning  [Master's thesis, California Institute of Technology].

See  Publication Manual , 10.6.

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Italicizing Dissertation Titles: To Italicize or Not to Italicize

In the vast realm of academia, where rigor and precision command utmost authority, even the tiniest typographical decision can rouse heated debates. Case in point: the controversial topic that has quietly lingered within scholarly circles for decades – should dissertation titles be italicized or not? A seemingly innocuous inquiry, yet one that strikes at the heart of a writer’s soul as they navigate through an arduous journey towards scholarly excellence. As we embark on this peculiar expedition into the realms of italics and dissertations, let us dissect both sides with a neutral lens to explore their merits and unravel this enigma once and for all.

1. The Great Italicization Debate: To Italicize or Not to Italicize

Italicization is a topic of great dispute in the English writing arena. Writers, editors, and publishers have had vigorous debates over which words should be italicized, with some opting to do so always while others prefer not to use any emphasis whatsoever. One significant debate has been whether dissertation titles are suitable for italics or not.

The primary argument for using italics with dissertation titles comes from its potential value as an enhanced formatting tool; it can add clarity to a lengthy title when read out loud or drawn on quickly by someone skimming through text. The counterargument suggests that there would be no need for this kind of visual cue because these documents hold considerable significance already without needing further indication from embellishments like italics. Furthermore, certain style guides suggest that monolithic terms like “dissertation” should never require emphasis.

• Are dissertation titles Italicized?

While both sides offer reasonable claims about stylistic preferences surrounding scholarly works such as dissertations, few definitive conclusions exist about the relevance of emphasizing document titles in every instance. This uncertainty may lead many writers to adhere strictly to their own preferred standards regardless of what is suggested elsewhere – especially if formal guidelines don’t address specific requests like “are dissertation titles Italicized?” . Ultimately though, each writer will decide which side they want take when addressing questions regarding how best to emphasize work successfully within various contexts.

2. Understanding the Power of Italics in Dissertation Titles

When writing a dissertation, the use of italics does more than just add visual appeal – it can also serve to create further meaning and emphasis. There are many rules as to when dissertation titles should be italicized which must be adhered to in order for the paper’s title and overall aesthetic style to remain consistent throughout. It is important that authors understand why they should often opt for using italics on their essay’s titles so as to make sure that they are compliant with common scholarly conventions while still ensuring that their work meets its standards of quality.

Are dissertation titles italicized? Generally speaking, yes – this formatting convention is especially prevalent across disciplines such as literature studies or other humanities-based areas like philosophy or law where there may be need for citing previous works. For example, when referencing books in MLA style (a commonly used academic format) any published book has been generally accepted by publishers will certainly formatted in an italic font choice; therefore if one wishes cite such a source within their own paper then its corresponding title must too be set entirely in Italics . However not all source material can/should follow these same formatting protocols including reports from government agencies related materials found online etc., but if you seek clarification on specific types of sources please consult your instructor directly! Whether via print or electronic mediums most modern reference require some level of styling: textual manipulation like making things bold/underlined words etc.; setting sections into separate paragraphs enabling easier readability; this includes adding special characters directly into document itself (ex.: bullet points arrows dashes headers footers). Thus once again confirming answer our initial question: Are Dissertation Titles Italicized? The official stance here being definitive “yes” whenever applicable usually under guidance given by respective citation styles referenced project itself (MLA APA Chicago manual others).

3. Aesthetic Appeal: Exploring the Influence of Italics on Dissertation Readability

The readability of dissertations is heavily dependent upon the aesthetic appeal and style choices. Among these, italics have a staggering influence on overarching readability due to their ability to draw attention, create emphasis, and visually differentiate certain elements from one another. In this section, we’ll explore how dissertation titles are affected by italicized fonts.

Are dissertation titles italicized? Generally speaking: yes! Italics not only make heading sections stand out but also signal that those words aren’t part of regular copy (i.e., non-italicized). This can be useful in cases where an item or focus requires special significance such as for quotations or referencing particular individuals or works—a common occurance within many dissertations. Are dissertation titles italicized when referring to articles with multiple authors? Again, yes; use italics whenever you want to emphasize something specific such as multiple contributors’ work instead of just one single author’s work.

• Another important area related to using bolded/underlined formatting in dissertations . Not all studies agree on exactly when and why it should appear but there appears general consensus about its most efficient implementation at least parts:
• In addition to being used for titling purposes , some instances call for either underlining main headings (but avoid overuse) or making them even more distinct through other visual methods like capitalization – especially if they’re intended as subheadings.

Finally , consider varying font size / weighting throughout document : although margins often dictate text dimensions , careful manipulation helps attract reader ‘s eye towards important data points & conclusions . As long as you adhere strictly abide styling requirements set forth by relevant governing bodies , feel free experiment accordingly !

4. Tradition vs Modernity: Examining the Historical Context of Italicizing Dissertation Titles

Given the long history of academic writing and its many varied conventions, it is not altogether surprising to find that whether dissertation titles should be italicized or no has been a source of ongoing debate. From traditional practices through to modern implementations, this section will explore the importance of considering both sides when examining the historical context for italicizing dissertations titles.

To begin with, prior to digitalization almost all papers were published in print form and usually dictated by an editor’s own specific preferences as there was no consistent format for individual publications; consequently the rules regarding are dissertation titles italicized have changed drastically over time. On one hand we could cite 18th century British literary scholar Dr Samuel Johnson who made use of quotation marks around supposedly ‘true’ citing words from existing books while on another hand some authors used angle brackets indicating citation within their works itself – thus leaving little or no room for doubt about what was considered stylistically correct at any given point in time since much depended on editors themselves.

As technology advanced so did formatting conventions evolve and become more standardised across different forms of publication whereby focus shifted away from referencing sources alone towards emphasising visual aesthetics which became crucial for readability purposes too (especially on web). This saw introduction guidelines such as American Psychological Association’s APA Style where are dissertation titles Italicsd rule got formalised along with other issues like indentation size etc but even then some levels discretion still remained open-ended inviting users to utilise whichever they felt most appropriate whilst ensuring consistency throughout text – something which remains true today also wherein individuals can choose boldface type instead if preferred.

5. Formatting Finesse: Unveiling the Guidelines for Properly Using Italics in Dissertations

Italicization is a powerful and aesthetically pleasing tool in writing dissertations, but it can be very easily misused. The guidelines for properly using italics need to be followed diligently so that readers have an enjoyable experience while reading the dissertation. This section will cover all aspects related to formatting finesse when it comes to using italics in dissertations:

• Are dissertation titles italicized?
• What words call for automatic italicization and what don’t?

When it comes to deciding whether or not dissertation titles should be Italicized, there are certain rules which must be strictly adhered to; Are dissertation titles Italicized per se – they sure are! All of the major components appearing on any page of your work like chapters, sections, parts, books or articles cited directly in the body text require use of Italics for emphasis as well as distinction from other typesetting elements such as dashes and parentheses. Moreover, foreign words that seem unfamiliar even if their English equivalent exists also demand being written within Iltalics along with specific terms used by people belonging specifically professional circles where a non-specialist reader might not recognize them. It goes without saying then that scriptural citations too should definitely appear within this typeface format including book names associated with them – remember “Are Dissertation Titles Italicised” question has already been answered herewith!.

6. User Experience Matters: Assessing Reader Perception with and without Italics in Dissertations

In academic writing the use of italics is a common practice, especially for titles. The question “are dissertation titles italicized” has been subject to much debate and hasn’t always had an answer cut and dry. However, it can be understood that using italics may affect how readers interact with text in dissertations or any kind of document.

It is essential to consider user experience when writing which provides insight into understanding reader perception with and without italics usage in documents such as a dissertation. By carefully assessing reader interaction we are able to develop better expectations than whether “are dissertation titles italicized” can influence engagement at different levels within the text: structure, layout design, overall organization etc. Here’s what needs to be kept in mind:

• Structure : Italics helps define chunks of information by providing visual cues.
• Layout Design : Highlighting important words or phrases draw focus while adding emphasis improving readability.

Furthermore, assuring that each element works together like they should has beneficial effects on accessibility since studies have shown that people tend to gravitate towards objects which appear familiar (evaluating if ‘dissertation titles are Italicized’ accurately) – this affects comprehension rates as well as time spent reading thus ensuring special attention given when organizing content will result in increased productivity & learning outcomes from users who digest your work/research etc

7. Conclusion Reached? Insights into Whether to Embrace or Abandon the Practice of Italicizing Dissertation Titles

In the world of academic writing, opinions on whether dissertation titles should be italicized are divided. One school of thought holds that they should always appear in quotation marks; while another school views them as similar to book and journal titles and thus deserving of italics. To settle this debate once and for all, there is a need to analyze the given evidence from both sides.

On one hand, many college style guides recommend using quotation marks around dissertation titles since they emphasize originality by distinguishing such works from published ones instead of giving it undue importance through traditional formatting conventions like italicizing. Additionally, treating dissertations with special reverence sends an erroneous message about their status within academia when compared to other written materials such as books or journals which also have their respective title styles accompanying them (in terms ibid referencing). On top of that, some higher education institutions require students not to use any formating options whatsoever when including dissertation titles in essays and papers submitted for assessment or publication.

However, there are strong arguments in favor of embracing the practice – namely if consistency with existing usage patterns is desired since most online databases list these documents under “Italicized Titles” rather than quoting them only.

Further research into how recent doctoral candidates format their work could provide valuable insights into whether-or-not we still need to ask ourselves: Are Dissertation Titles Italicized? Professors may choose go beyond surveys however by asking established authors who specialize on PhD document preparation what approach do they find better suited for disseration titling conventions.— a possible indication that despite adopting contemporary approaches more often favored by educational entities worldwide followed suit anyway out respect for tradition (and perhaps due ease adoption). As we reach the end of this thought-provoking journey into the realm of dissertation titles, it becomes apparent that there is no definitive answer to the perennial question: To italicize or not to italicize? The debate surrounding this seemingly insignificant decision has sparked an intellectual discourse like never before. While some cling passionately to traditional conventions, arguing for the elegance and clarity brought by italics, others champion a minimalist approach, advocating for simpler and more streamlined communication.

What we have discovered throughout this exploration is that our perception of style is inherently subjective. There are guidelines aplenty, set in stone by language authorities worldwide; yet they fail to provide a resounding verdict on italicization. This ambivalence challenges us as writers and scholars to embrace creativity while remaining mindful of academic expectations.

In reality, choosing whether or not to utilize italics ultimately rests upon one’s personal preference guided by established norms within their field. Italicization can offer emphasis when needed but can also disrupt visual flow if overused. By navigating these uncharted waters with finesse and discretion, we can strike a balance between adherence and innovation.

So let us bid farewell now – armed with newfound knowledge – equipped with open minds ready to tackle future projects amidst the vast sea of academia’s intricacies. Whatever path you choose in your written endeavors henceforth shall be informed by your understanding here today: that boldness lies both in embracing tradition and challenging its boundaries.

May your dissertations shine brilliantly regardless of typography choices made along the way—a testament not only to your scholarly prowess but also indicative of an ever-evolving landscape where interpretations may differ while excellence remains constant!

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Last Updated: Jun 27, 2023 Views: 112254

In APA Style 7th edition, the source is italicized:

• The journal/magazine/newspaper titles are italicized.
• Article titles are not italicized.
• Book titles are italicized. 
• Chapter titles are not italicized.
• The title of the artwork is italicized.
• The title of the webpage is italicized.

For more information, see the APA Style's Reference Examples This link opens in a new window .

Longer works like books, journals, etc. should be italicized and shorter works like poems, articles, etc. should be put in quotations. For example, a book title would be placed in italics but an article title would be placed in quotation marks.

Chicago Style

The titles of major works like books, journals, etc. should be italicized (this also includes legal cases and some other special names) and subsections of larger works like book chapters, articles, etc. should be put in quotations. For example, the title of a legal case would be placed in italics but a book chapter would be placed in quotation marks.

More Information

• MLA Guide  (Shapiro Library) 
• APA Guide  (Shapiro Library)
• Chicago Style Guide  (Shapiro Library)

Further Help

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate use of italics and quotation marks in your class assignments and projects.

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