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Do you underline the title of an essay?

Benjamin Smith | 2023-06-09 06:26:26 | page views:1525
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Harper Gray

Studied at the University of Barcelona, Lives in Barcelona, Spain.
As an expert in the field of English language and writing conventions, I would like to address the question of whether to underline the title of an essay. The practice of underlining book titles, as well as other forms of written works, has evolved over time with the advent of different typesetting technologies and writing standards.

In the past, when typewriters were the primary means of producing written documents, certain conventions were followed to distinguish between different types of titles. Italics were used to denote the titles of books, plays, and other longer works, while underlining was a common alternative when the typewriter lacked the ability to produce italicized text. This was done to ensure that the titles stood out from the rest of the text and were easily identifiable as separate entities.

However, with the widespread use of word processing software and the ability to easily apply italics or other formatting options, the need to underline titles has largely diminished. Modern writing style guides, such as the APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and Chicago Manual of Style, have updated their recommendations to reflect these technological advancements.

According to the latest editions of these style guides:

- Book Titles: Should be italicized. This is the standard practice across most style guides.
- Play Titles: Like books, play titles are also italicized.
- Poem Titles: Titles of poems are typically enclosed in double quotation marks.
- Short Stories: Similar to poems, the titles of short stories are often set off with double quotation marks.
- Essay Titles: The titles of essays, like short stories and poems, are generally placed within double quotation marks.

It is important to note that these guidelines may vary slightly depending on the specific style guide you are following. For instance, some style guides may have different rules for formatting titles in academic papers, while others may be more lenient for informal writing or publications.

In conclusion, underlining the title of an essay is a practice that has become less common with the evolution of typesetting technology. The modern convention is to use double quotation marks for essays, short stories, and poems, while italics are reserved for books and plays. It is always best to consult the specific style guide relevant to your field or the publication you are writing for to ensure that you are adhering to the most current and appropriate guidelines.


2024-05-12 21:05:55

Lucas Evans

Works at the International Organization for Migration, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
Book titles are italicized. If you are using a typewriter and can't write in italics, then it is customary to underline the title. Same applies to plays. Titles of poems, short stories, essays, and other short pieces are set off in double quotes.
2023-06-12 06:26:26

Taylor Davis

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Book titles are italicized. If you are using a typewriter and can't write in italics, then it is customary to underline the title. Same applies to plays. Titles of poems, short stories, essays, and other short pieces are set off in double quotes.
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