How to type a book title in a college paper varies depending on the referencing style. MLA and Chicago use quotation marks and capitalization for titles, but APA has a different style. In APA, the author’s last name is placed before the book title, with any other names in quotation marks. The author’s first and middle names should also be included, unless they are credited to a different person.
Underlining vs. italicizing a book title
If you are writing a book title in a paper, you should italicize it. Traditionally, students have been taught to underline book titles. However, since the Internet has made underlined words look more like links, italicizing a book title has become standard. Some style guides even require that authors put the title in quotation marks.
The AMA Manual of Style and the Chicago Manual of Style both advise italicizing book titles. However, if your paper is addressing a specific audience, it is best to follow their specific style guide. These style guides usually dictate the use of quotation marks around book titles, while another manual recommends using italics. While the Chicago Manual of Style and the AMA Manual of Style are the most common guides, there are many other styles that may be applicable to your paper.
Although italics are the most commonly used form of emphasis for a book title, some style guides recommend underlining. However, when you need to emphasize a long creative working title, italics are the best choice. Long titles, like poems, plays, and films, should be italicized. When in doubt, you should choose italics.
Using character names as book titles
Using character names as book titles is a great way to make your paper or novel more interesting. Not only can it be fun to use the names of your characters, but they can also add a sense of mystique. Consider novels, like Fifty Shades of Grey, which have characters named Grey, Steele, and even Hemingway. In addition, using the character’s name will also help to match the overall aesthetic of the novel. For instance, the characters in The Hunger Games are named after flowers, which foreshadows their visual motif.
Choose a name that is appropriate for the genre you are writing about. A sinister name can give the reader a sense of dread. If your novel is about a dark or disturbing story, a character with a sinister name could be perfect. If you’re writing a fiction novel, choose a name that conveys the theme of the book. Choose a book title that captures the spirit of your hero. Some authors use their hero’s name as a title, while others combine it with special qualities, as in Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. If you’re writing a fantasy novel, a title for your protagonist could be the name of your villain.
Using quotation marks
Whether you’re typing a book title in a paper, an article, or a song, you’re going to want to make sure you’re using quotation marks. Titles of short works, poems, or even essays should be in quotation marks. Titles of entire works, such as novels, should be written in italics. But what about song titles or a speech?
Depending on your style guide, you may have to follow specific rules when using quotation marks around titles. The first word of a quote must be capitalized, and it’s usually the main word. Other words should be spelled out in full. Generally, book titles are used in a paper to make them more readable. If you’re writing a paper for school, you might want to follow some style guidelines as well.
Traditionally, authors use italics to denote a book’s title. But nowadays, even the Bible is written in italics. That’s why many teachers ask their students to use the Modern Language Association style of writing. There’s a little trick and a big one. You don’t want to leave anyone wondering how you spelled the title.
Choosing a unique book title
Choosing a unique book title is difficult because people dislike to feel socially awkward when they are asked about their opinion about something. You should aim for a title that people can say out loud without feeling silly. In addition, a title should be memorable, not embarrassing, and you should also keep in mind that not every book is a best-seller. Listed below are some guidelines to help you come up with the perfect title.
a. Avoid using a term that is obscure or difficult to understand. If you are writing a specialist book, it is OK to use a title that does not sound terribly scientific. A good example is the title “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman. You should try to choose a title that does not make readers think of a thesaurus. The last thing you want is to confuse your reader with a cryptic title that makes them wonder what the book is about.