How Do You Format Titles of Works?

Last updated Mar 5, 2024
By Gwenydd Jones

If you need to format titles of works, there are simple rules to follow. Do you need italics, inverted commas or underline for a book title? Find out in our quiz (with answers and explanations).

Coral and yellow cartoon image that reads Quick Quiz: Italics, "Inverted Commas" or underline for titles of works?

Italics, inverted commas or underline for titles of works?

In the quick quiz below, decide whether the title of a work should be formatted with italics, put in inverted commas or underlined?

1. Book title

2. Journal article title

3. Title of a famous speech

4. Name of a work of art

5. Conference talk title

Scroll down to see the answers.

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03/06/2024 08:11 pm GMT

Answers to the quiz italics, inverted commas or underline for titles of works?

1. Book titles are normally formatted in italics. 

2. Titles of journal articles are normally placed in inverted commas. 

3. Titles of famous speeches are normally formatted in italics. 

4. Names of works of art are normally formatted in italics. 

5. The title of conference talk will normally be placed in inverted commas.

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New Hart's Rules: The Oxford Style Guide
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03/06/2024 08:04 pm GMT

What’s the general takeaway on formatting the titles of works?

Think about the titles of works in terms of levels. If it’s the top level, like a book, then it normally goes in italics. If it’s a lower level, such as the name of a chapter in a book, then it normally goes in inverted commas. You won’t typically need to use underlining.

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Written by Gwenydd Jones

Gwenydd Jones is a Spanish- and French-to-English translator, an SEO blogger and a course creator. She is the founder of The Translator's Studio and the lead teacher on its courses. Connect with Gwenydd on LinkedIn or contact her through this website.

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