Knowing how to properly format movie titles in MLA style is crucial for any academic paper or essay referencing films. Incorrect formatting can detract from your credibility and overall grade. This guide will walk you through the correct MLA formatting for movie titles, clarifying common mistakes and offering helpful examples.
Understanding MLA Style for Titles
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide provides specific rules for formatting titles, differentiating between works like books, articles, and films. For movies, the key is to italicize the title. This visually sets it apart from surrounding text and signals to the reader that it's the title of a film.
Italics vs. Quotation Marks: A Key Distinction
A common point of confusion lies in the difference between italicizing and using quotation marks. Remember this simple rule:
- Italicize: Titles of larger works (like books, movies, plays, journals, albums)
- Quotation Marks: Titles of smaller works (like articles, chapters, songs, poems, short stories)
Therefore, a movie title always receives italics in MLA format.
Examples of Correct MLA Movie Title Formatting
Let's look at some examples to solidify your understanding:
- Correct: The Shawshank Redemption
- Incorrect: "The Shawshank Redemption"
- Correct: Citizen Kane
- Incorrect: "Citizen Kane"
- Correct: Parasite (2019)
- Incorrect: "Parasite" (2019)
Notice that even if you include the year, the title itself remains italicized.
Incorporating Movie Titles into Your Citations
Properly formatting a movie title is only half the battle. You also need to cite it correctly within your work. Here's how you might integrate a movie title into a sentence:
- Example: In Frank Darabont's powerful film, The Shawshank Redemption, the themes of hope and perseverance are masterfully explored.
MLA Works Cited Page: Citing Your Sources
Your Works Cited page requires precise formatting. Here’s how to cite a movie in MLA format:
General Format:
Last Name, First Name. Title of Film. Production Company, Year.
Example:
Darabont, Frank. The Shawshank Redemption. Columbia Pictures, 1994.
Note: If you're using information from a streaming service, you can add that information after the Production Company. For example:
Darabont, Frank. The Shawshank Redemption. Columbia Pictures, 1994. Netflix.
Always double-check your formatting against the latest MLA Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using quotation marks instead of italics: This is the most frequent error. Always italicize movie titles.
- Capitalization inconsistencies: Follow standard title capitalization rules (capitalize the first and last words, as well as all principal words).
- Incorrect punctuation: Ensure correct punctuation around the title and within the citation.
Mastering MLA Movie Title Formatting: A Quick Recap
By following these simple rules, you can confidently and correctly format movie titles in your MLA papers. Remember to always italicize the title and cite your sources correctly in your Works Cited page. Doing so not only improves your academic writing but also showcases your attention to detail and adherence to academic standards. Mastering this seemingly small detail contributes significantly to the overall quality and professionalism of your work.
