how to punctuate song titles in an essay

Do You Use Quotation Marks or Italics for Song and Album Titles?

by Liz Bureman | 40 comments

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Are you making any playlists for the new year? I love music, and when I write about a song or album, I know when to use quotation marks and when to use italics. Do you? Are song titles italicized? Let's discuss. 

I love music. I've been teaching myself to play guitar, and I can stumble my way through four or five songs without wanting to poke holes in my eardrums, but my main appreciation for music is when other people play it. I'm an avid Spotify user, and I take a lot of pride in my ability to make kickass playlists. One of my girlfriends has even given me the green light to create her hypothetical wedding reception playlist.

Not everyone writes out the titles of their favorite songs or music albums regularly, so it's no surprise I sometimes hear people ask, “Are song titles italicized?”

The answer is no.

Here's how it works:

Song Titles in Quotation Marks

Song titles are always surrounded by quotation marks, like *NSYNC's “Bye Bye Bye,” or “A Whole New World” from Disney's Aladdin .

Anytime you write out the title of a song, you'll put that song title in quotation marks according to standard grammar rules. Think of a song as a shorter work like a short story. Short story titles are always in quotation marks. 

Album Titles in Italics

Musical album titles, on the other hand, are always italicized. For example, while I will openly admit to loving Journey's power ballad song “Faithfully,” I think pretty much every song on their Greatest Hits album should be sung at karaoke nights across the country.

When you write out an album title, you'll put it in italics.

It may help to remember that the music album is a longer work, like a novel. Titles of books are also written in italics in most major style guides. 

Are Song Titles Italicized in Classical Music?

Classical music isn't typically arranged into an album, per se, but the general rule still applies. The shorter songs and movements would be in quotation marks. If it is a full length longer composition, like a full sonata, concerto, or opera then use italics for titles indicating the full work.

For example: The aria “Der Hölle Rache” is probably the most famous piece in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute . 

Other Italics Questions

Of course, lots more media have titles than just songs and albums. There are books , short stories, podcasts, TV shows, episodes . . . the list goes on and on. Want more italics advice? Check out our ultimate title-writing guide for answers to all your italics conundrums.

Do you have any tricks for remembering when to use quotes and when to use italics? Tell us in the comments .

Imagine your favorite musical artist or group is discussing the set list for an upcoming show that has the potential to go viral. What will they play to appeal to fans, old and new?

Take fifteen minutes and write about the hypothetical conversation the ladies of the group had in determining the songs they would play for the show. Post your conversation in the Pro Practice Workshop , and leave notes for other writers brave enough to publish as well. Not a part of a writing community yet? Join us !

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Liz Bureman

Liz Bureman has a more-than-healthy interest in proper grammatical structure, accurate spelling, and the underappreciated semicolon. When she's not diagramming sentences and reading blogs about how terribly written the Twilight series is, she edits for the Write Practice, causes trouble in Denver, and plays guitar very slowly and poorly. You can follow her on Twitter (@epbure), where she tweets more about music of the mid-90s than writing.

40 Comments

It was blowing up a storm when we started to practice, but that don’t stop Effie.  He thinks you gotta play no matter what.  If the tornado sirens go off down in town and one of our old ladies calls to tell us so, he’ll say, “Ya’ll can go get in your fraidey holes if you want to.  Me, I’m playing my fiddle.”

Well, you can’t go to the storm cellar with your tail between your legs, so we stay, me and Vander and Larry, even though Larry, who plays the washtub, lost his house in the tornado of ’96 and he shakes when the sky rumbles.  And then Effie’ll start in on some song like “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder,” just to put his spin on how things might turn out if a twister does find us.

So we’re playing, me on the bass, and we’re looking out the window, where you can see the sky turning the color of a two-day bruise, and Larry’s sweating and Vander’s got his eyes shut like he does when he plays mandolin, and Effie, truth be told, is a flat-out bully.  So he’s getting the show list together and acting like everything’s business as usual.

“I think we should start with “Sitting On The Front Porch,” he says.  Crowd pleaser, every time.  And then, “Baby’s Little Shoes.” And then “Walking With Clementine” for the old folks.  We’ll finish with “God Bless the U.S.A,” since the veteran’s home is bringing a bus.

Lightning is hitting closer, the sky like the Fourth of July.  Larry’s done sat down, turned all pale as fresh milk.  Larry’s a big man.  He can’t button his overalls up all the way on the side, so when he doubles over and then falls out of the fold-up chair, none of us knows what to do.

“I ain’t doing mouth-to-mouth,” Effie says, while the rest of us are trying to right him. 

Larry comes to soon enough, just as the hail starts.

“My new truck,” he says, and shakes his head. You know when people say you’re green at the gills? Well, Larry is.

All our trucks are parked outside, and all of ‘em are getting blasted.  I see my old Dodge, the one I’ve had since May left me, the hail, big as cotton bols hitting it, and it makes me sick.

And then I remember Effie’s truck.  His is in the carport.  Well, sure it is, I think.

Vander, who preaches every other Sunday over in the Cavanaugh bottoms, says, “Shit fire,” and hits the wall.  We are in the town hall of Rudy, a little Craftsman house donated by Mayor Giles Walker’s family when he passed, and the photos of the veterans shake when he does it.

The rain flashes down.  Pounding everything, soaking through my back windshield that was shattered by the hail.

“Mercy sakes,” is all I can say.

Larry stands up, grabbing my arm to do it.  He’s about as wide as he is tall, and he’s near about pulls me down.

“I’m off like a prom dress,” he says, “so don’t try to stop me.”  And then he turns to Effie.

“You’re about as helpful as a boar with teats,” he says, you know that? You act like you’re the bread and butter of The Frog Bayou Boys.”  He points to me.  “But Columbus here, he might not play as good as you like, but he’s the one got the news folks out here to do that story calling us the best band in the River Valley.  And he books every show, and when you get drunk, let’s just be honest here, when you get drunk, you can’t play worth shit.”

Effie came after Larry.  Effie’s a little action figure of a man, but he fights mean, and it took Vander and me to stop him.

We were holding Effie by his scrawny arms, and he was kicking, his cowboy boots flying off the wood floor, so that we were mostly holding him up.

“You are a liar and a snake,” Larry Brammel.  “A liar and a snake.  You’re going to go straight to hell with gasoline drawers on, and when you do, I’ll play my fiddle on your grave.”

Vander stepped in.  “Ya’ll cut it out.  Nobody’s dying,” he said.  “Effie,” he said, and pointed, “you and Larry need to quit showing your butts. That show on Saturday pays $100, plus they feed us.  We ain’t had a show like that since we played that Red, White and Bluegrass gig for the rich ladies who wanted to dress up in thousand dollar boots and wear tight jeans and drink beer in front of their husbands.”

And then Vander bowed up, like I never seen him do before.  “And Effie, we ain’t playing “Walking With Clementine.” The old folks can do without it for one dang night.  I wrote my own song and I want to sing it.  It’s called “She Broke My Heart And Stole My Wallet.” That’ll get ‘em going,” Vander said. 

I’d known Vander thirty-two years, and that was the first I’d heard of his songwriting.  His new girlfriend, the one who brought over the Mexican casserole when Vander’s wife died, was likely the inspiration for this new tune.

Word was, she was over in Branson now, hooked up with a cowboy singer who wore a Bolo tie and colored his hair.

Effie face was red.  He looked hotter than blue blazes, like he might catch fire at any minute.  And then he backed down, his shoulders falling.  He looked at all of us, me and Larry and Vander, and then he said, “Fine, that’s fine with me.  I been carrying you ya-hoos for way too long.”

Larry cuffed him on the arm, and then they shook hands, and the rain fell, and the thunder roared, but nobody moved for a minute. 

Effie had a bottle in his fiddle case, and he went to get it.  “Ain’t nobody driving till the rain stops,” he said.  “And that includes you, Larry.”

And then we sat down, and passed the bottle until Vander started singing.  “I loved a girl from Minnesota.  Loved her with a passion true.  And then stole my dad burn wallet, took it out and followed you.  You must be a handsome cowboy.  You must look like Johnny Cash.  But when I find my little Cindy, I will tell her that she’s trash.”

We were laughing then.  And Effie brought out his fiddle, and I picked up my bass, and Vander his mandolin.  Larry drug out the washtub, and we got back at it, the Frog Bayou Boys, just as good as new.

Wow, Marla, if you’re not from those parts then you’ve got one wild imagination, girl! Well done, and then some. The phrasing, the way you used the anarchic terminology, and even the names were spot on, perfect. Beautiful!

 Thank you, Yvette.  I can’t take credit.  I live with these people and these voices.  It’s like music to me.  We get teased A LOT but I wouldn’t trade the dialect or the cadence for anything. 

I love this!!!  The gig, the music, the attitudes.  And the dialogue is genuine county-folk!  Good work, Marla!

You’re so nice.  I love the music we have in the South, the twangy, ball-your-eyes-out stuff that connects us all and makes us feel less alone.  And I know men like these, I’ve heard them play, so writing this was easy.

Great writing Marla. I agree with the others you really have that dialect (which I’m also familiar with) down pat.  

Thank you, Mariaanne. Where are you from?

I live in Lynchburg Va now but was originally from Norfolk.  The accent you are writing sounds like an Appalachian accent to me. Where are you from?

Mariaanne, I live in Lynchburg, too! We have two crit groups here and would love for you to join us. Email me at charmainetdavis at yahoo dot com.

Charmaine – I can’t believe it.  Will you please email me?  [email protected].  I’d love to join you.  When and where do you meet?  

I had a playlist for my wedding that included  “One Day My Prince Will Come” and “If You Wish Upon a Star.”  Since I’m still single, it’s “The Impossible Dream.”

It depends if you’re writing for American or British publications. In the US, song titles are always “Jumping Jack Flash” but in the UK they’re often ‘Midnight Rambler’. It’s caused me no end of headaches writing for both.

They punctuate dialogue differently in the UK too don’t they?  I think the way they do it makes more sense actually but I don’t like to think about it too much or I get confused. I imagine it’s hard to write both ways.  

Agreed. The UK punctuates more logically. I had points knocked off of college papers for employing that punctuation, & tried to defend it with no success. Ha! Punctuation Wars – my kind of rebellion!

I’m in the US. In high school, I got marked off for spelling aluminum as “aluminium.” The teacher actually asked if I was British.

Ten years later, I’d still argue I was technically correct.

sorry so long to reply. Yet, after recent happenings, I can only hope that we can just get back to debating language. God Bless us All. Thanks for replying Eric Foster!!

Does also apply to other works that have a part/whole relationship? I’m thinking specifically of “short stories” and The Collection They Come in or “poems” and Chap Books.

I can’t make any italics work in this application, so I’ll indicate italics with [i] at the beginning and at the end of each title I intend to be italicized.

My practice:

The state-of-the-art bus pitched only slightly with the dips and rolls of Interstate 35 — not like those death-traps they used to ride in the ’40s and ’50s — on the way up to Fort Worth and Billy Bob’s.  He walked down the aisle toward his stateroom with the practiced sea-legs of an old salt, noticing that his harp-player, Mickey, had gone to sleep and was droolin’ in his lap. 

“HEY MICK YOUR FLY’S OPEN!”  he barked in that sargeant’s voice he could assume on a moment’s notice.  Mickey jumped awake and then amiably shot him the bird.  He laughed in his baritone voice and walked on into his quarters. 

Billy Bob’s.  Let’s see — that crowd likes the ’70s stuff off the concept albums, sprinkled ’round the edges with the early Nashville songs.  Let’s do, let’s do — he got his legal pad and licked the point of his stubby pencil — Let’s do “Bloody Mary Mornin'” and “Walkin'” from [i]Phases and Stages[i].  Follow that with “Hello Walls” from [i]And then I Wrote[i].  He sat before the big window and watched the country roll by, remembering.  Remembering. 

The world was a different place when I got started.  I’m an extrememly lucky man, he thought.  All the close shaves — I could easily have gone the way of Hank.  All  the little one-horse planes I’ve flown in, I also could have had the same end as Jim Reeves, or Patsy, God love ‘er. 

Gotta do “Crazy” tonight in honor of Patsy.  That’s another’un offa [i]And Then I Wrote[i].  Sold that’un for fifty dollars when my kids needed shoes, and I’d do it again too. 

He picked up the old spanish guitar with the hole in it where his right hand had worn through the wood over the decades, and began to strum it.  Key of E.  Began to sing just a little bit, soft and low:  “In___ the twighlight glow I see__ her . . .”  And then stopped.  All those years.  All those songs.  All those changes.  Phases and stages.

Yes, I’m lucky, it’s still hard to believe just how lucky.

Gotta find a spot for “Blue Eyes” tonight too.  [i]Red-Headed Stranger[i].  

Sometimes, he realized, I look in the mirror and that’s who I see.

Wow!  I love this.  The part about the hole in the guitar is gold.  And I love your main character.  I’d go hear him, in a heartbeat. 

Thank you all for your kind comments.   The piece is about Willie Nelson, I just didn’t name him.  All of the album and song titles are real, as is the hole in his guitar;  just look closely the next time you see him playing on tv and you’ll see it.  I had a lot of fun writing this!

I’ve always been amused by Willie’s “holy” guitar. He’s such a kook.

I forgot DISQUS doesn’t allow italics. Sorry about that John. Way to make it work 🙂

That was really well done John.  It’s kind of sad to hear him thinking about old times but he seems to be a pretty happy guy overall.  I like the hole in the guitar too as well as the guy drooling in his sleep.  Gross but probably about right.  

Good article. Quick and to the point. Thanks!

Not kickass playlists if they have Journey in them lol…

It will really depend on how are you going to use those kind of quotations in your writing but I what I have observed, this kind of thing was being used by most writing especially if when they emphasized a title on their writing.

I was going to ask about the title of a composition and the movements but after reading the program magazine I realized that italics are used for both.

I think I have been doing that correctly. I was worried.

Her hand twisted the edge of her shirt as the smell of sawdust filled the air. The crowd’s noises dimmed, her heart beat louder in her ears and her palms dampened as she climbed the stage stairs. Though she had practiced long hours she was nervous anticipating singing “China Girl” from John Cougar Mellancamp’s, (italics American Fool italics), album.

You should try djing. It’s easy if you can already make a good playlist. If you’re already a good selector, all you have to do is pre-cue the next song in your headphones then drop it on the 1. Really easy stuff. You can buy the app, djay, for ios devices and log in with your spotify account for access to your playlists and stuff. We need more female djs.

My first concert experience was of one that I would not easily forget, it was Summer Jam hosted by Hot 97. The concert had a majority of middle class rappers playing their hot singles. I came there for a select few: 50 Cent, Fabolous and Young Thug. The other performing artists were mainly for the female demographic, like Fetty Wap and Ty Dolla $ign. What I really enjoyed about this concert is they did not only play songs from this current generation, they reached out to other generations as well. The biggest example of this is seeing 50 Cent preform. He played hits from his Get Rich or Die Tryin’ album all the way up to his recent The Kanan Mixtape. I was going ballistic when I heard him preform a new track “I’m the Man” and decided to take us back to 2003 with “In da Club” immediately after. The artists I came for did not disappoint.

And if you are writing dialogue, I do not recall seeing two double quotation marks at end of dialogue. Maybe I am wrong. For instance, “Baby, you know I love Ted’s “Stranglehold,”” he fired back. I have seen a single followed by a double quotation at end of dialogue after the comma or period. So maybe that’s why the King’s English prefers single over double?

This saved my essay. Thanks Liz!

Dear Liz, I was looking for some advice about quote/italics for song/movie/book titles and got totally side-tracked by your Journey reference. When I rule the world, I promise you will get your wish. Journey will be piped directly into people’s heads so they can all become happier and more well rounded. Tee Hee. Keep up the good work. 😉

The Excavators play Brady Wilkenson’s 8th Birthday Bash!

This past Saturday afternoon was Brady Wilkensen’s birthday party, and he could think of no better live entertainment than his father’s heavy metal band, The Excavators. When Brady suggested the idea, his dad felt honored, albeit unsure whether the mothers of his son’s 8-year-old classmates and friends would appreciate the lyrical content of his band’s hits, especially “Rotting Flesh” and “Glory Hole” off their latest album (i) In it for the Lingue Hall. (i)

Instead of becoming the third grade parents’ worst nightmare, Mr. Wilkensen figured he’d tone things down quite a bit to become more palatable to the kids and their discerning parents. He got the members of the Excavators together, sure, but instead of “Rock My Grave,” the afternoon’s selections included “Punk Rock Teacher” and “All My Friends Headbang” off their pseudo EP (i) Songs for the Peanut Gallery (i).

The party was to be held at Bringadown Hall, in a posh country club in the suburb where Brady and his family resided. Mr. Wilkenson figured that his band had better revamp their look for this gig as well. Instead of their usual studs and leather, the Excavators came to the party dressed in red t-shirts, jeans, and letter jackets that evoked high school in the ’70s.

The band decided to even craft some improv tunes on the subject of the party’s goings-on and present them to Brady and his guests at the end of the show. “Pizza on my Face, What a Disgrace!” did so well among Brady’s friends that the Excavators decided to include it on their upcoming album, (i) Smells like Burnt Crust (i).

Rather than the utter disgust that would have been sure to follow had the band performed its signature material, (i) Songs for the Peanut Gallery (i) was lauded by parents and children alike as a “too-cool-for-school crowd pleaser.”

Brady bragged from that day forward that he had the coolest dad in town, and his 8th birthday party became the epitome of birthday bash success in the eyes of the entirety of Willten Elementary School’s student body, whether they’d attended the party or heard about it from a friend-of-a-friend’s brother.

“Whew,” Mr. Wilkenson said to his wife when the party was over, “that was a good call!”

Thanks Liz, good info!

Here’s my sentence in question: “They just ran out the back door singing it to the tune of ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’.” It is dialog, and according to what I’m reading, I should use double quotes around the song and at the end of the sentence. Correct?

thanks for the help!

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Proper Formatting of Song Titles in Written Documents

Learn when to use italics and quotation marks to write clearly

• Animation & Video

What to Know

• Refer to the style guide specified by your employer, client, or teacher.
• In the absence of a style guide, the general rule is to use quotation marks for song titles and italicize CD or album titles.
• Don't use underlining in place of italics unless you are using a typewriter or writing titles by hand.

This article explains the proper formatting of song titles in written documents and includes examples.

How to Format Song Titles in Written Documents

For matters of style when punctuating and formatting titles of any kind, turn first to the style guide prescribed by your employer, client, or teacher. In the absence of a style guide, use the following guidelines:

• Put quotation marks around song titles : For best appearance in professionally typeset material, use proper typographical quote marks and apostrophes ( curly quotes ).
• Set CD/album titles in italics : In typeset material, watch out for fake italics . That's not a grammar rule but it is a good design and printing rule.
• Do not use underlining (in place of italics) unless you're using a typewriter or writing titles by hand.

In desktop publishing and word processing software, create character styles to quickly format song titles and other types of titles used throughout a document.

Example References to Song Titles and Albums

Here are two examples of text that includes song titles and album titles:

• Trace Adkins' first #1 single “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” is from his 1997 CD  Dreamin’ Out Loud . 
• The title cut from Toby Keith’s How Do You Like Me Now? was the most-played country song of 2000. Other favorites from the same album include “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like That” and “Country Comes to Town.”

When the song/album is the same : In the second example, although “ How Do You Like Me Now? ” is the song title, it is also the album title and in that context is treated as the album title, using italics. It would be just as correct to write: My favorite song on the How Do You Like Me Now? album is “How Do You Like Me Now?”

Punctuation in titles : When a song title ends in a question mark, exclamation point, or other punctuation, that punctuation goes inside the quotation marks because it's part of the song title. The beginning portion of the Adkins song title in parentheses is contained in the quotation marks the same as the other part of the song title.

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Music enthusiasts are often confused about how to format song titles properly in written documents such as essays, research papers, and articles. While some people might think that formatting song titles is not essential, it is a crucial element in writing that can change the meaning or context of a song. The following guidelines will help you correctly format song titles in written documents.

1. Capitalization:

The first letter of every word in a song title should be capitalized, except for articles, conjunctions, and prepositions that are shorter than four letters.

Example: “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.

2. Italicize:

Song titles should be italicized when they appear in a written document, such as when they appear in a sentence or a paragraph. The only exception to this rule is when the document is handwritten.

Example: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen is one of the most popular rock songs of all time.

3. Quotation Marks:

When a song title is part of a larger work, such as an album, an opera, or musical theater, use quotation marks to distinguish the song title from the rest of the work. Example: “Don’t Stop Believin'” is a song from the album, “Escape” by Journey.

4. Punctuation:

When referencing a song title, place a comma before and after the title.

Example: The song, “Time After Time,” was a hit for Cyndi Lauper.

5. Acronyms:

If the title of the song consists of an acronym, all letters must be capitalized, and the acronym should also be placed in quotation marks.

Example: “YMCA” by the Village People.

In conclusion, proper formatting of song titles in written documents is crucial in expressing the correct information to the reader. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in misinterpretation of song titles and changing the context of the song. By following these simple guidelines, music lovers, students, and authors can confidently format song titles in written documents.

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AP Style Composition Titles

Home » AP Style » AP Style Composition Titles

The following guidelines are rules set out in the AP Stylebook for AP style book titles, computer game titles, AP Style movie titles, opera titles, play titles, poem titles, album titles, AP Style song titles, radio and television titles, and the titles of lectures, speeches, and work of art.

In AP Style, magazines names and titles are governed by their own rules. See AP Style Magazine Names .

How to Capitalize Composition Titles

Capitalize the principal words, including prepositions and conjunctions of four or more letters.

Capitalize an article (a, an, the) or words of fewer than four letters if it is the first or last word in the title.

Put quotation marks around the names of all of the aforementioned types of works except the Bible and books that are primarily catalogs or reference materials. Items of reference include almanacs, directories, dictionaries, encyclopedias, gazetteers, handbooks, and other such similar publications. You should not include quotations around such software titles such as Adobe Photoshop or Windows.

You should translate a foreign title into an English one unless the specific word is commonly known by its foreign name. There is one exception to this and that is for reviews of musical performances. In such instances, you should generally refer to the work in the language that it was sung in, so as to differentiate it for your reader. However, musical compositions in Slavic languages are always referred to in their English translations.

For other classical music titles, use quotation marks around the composition’s nicknames but not compositions that are identified by their sequence. For example,

• Beethoven’s “New World Symphony,” but Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.

Below are a number of examples for composition titles in AP Style,

AP Style Book Titles

• “To Kill a Mockingbird”
• “The Magician’s Nephew”
• “Of Mice and Men”

AP Style Movie Titles

• “Saving Private Ryan”
• “Trouble With the Curve”
• “The Dark Knight Rises”

AP Style Song Titles

• “Stairway to Heaven”
• “Good Vibrations

AP Style Videogame Titles

• “Call of Duty”
• “God of War”
• “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell”

AP Style Opera Titles

• “A Night in the Chinese Opera”
• “Nixon in China”
• “The Lighthouse”

AP Style Play Titles

• “The Sound of Music”
• “The Book of Mormon”
• “Fiddler on the Roof”

AP Style Poem Titles

• “The Road Not Taken”
• “A Pretty a Day”
• “Seeker of Truth”

AP Style Album Titles

• “Appetite for Destruction”
• “And Justice for All”
• “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

AP Style Television Titles

• “How I Met Your Mother”
• “The Tonight Show”
• “Good Morning America”

AP Style Website Titles

Most websites and apps are capitalized without quotations. For example,

“Farmville” and similar computer games apps are an exception and should be in quotes.

For classical compositions, use quotation marks around the composition’s nicknames but not compositions identified by its sequence. For example,

• Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.”
• Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9.

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How to Punctuate Song Titles

Capitalization Rules for Flowers

Learning punctuation may seem arbitrary but, once you memorize the proper rules and practice with them, they will come to you naturally next time you need them. Song titles are punctuated in the same way as the titles of articles. Properly punctuating a song title will show that you respect the song and wish it to stand out from the rest of a text.

Place double quotation marks on either side of the title of the song. “Here Comes the Sun” is an example.

Put question marks and exclamation marks that are part of the song title (as in “Does He Love Me?”) inside the quotation marks.

Make sure you place all commas and periods inside the quotation marks even if they are not part of the song when the song title is part of a text: The band played “Statesboro Blues.”

Capitalize the first word, the last word and the nouns in the title. Conjunctions (“but,” “and” or “or”), prepositions (“on,” "to" or “in,” for example) or articles (“a,” “an” or “the”) are not capitalized unless they are the first or last words. However, many publications and styles require that you capitalize any preposition or conjunction that is four letters in length or longer (for example, “with” or “either”).

Song titles listed in music programs may not be placed in quotation marks. Song titles in foreign languages should be left in that language if it is popularly known that way and capitalized according to the rules of that language. It still receives quotation marks if printed in the U.S. Italicize the name of an album.

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When to Punctuate Titles in Italics or Quotes

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You may have wondered in the middle of typing up a research project : Do I italicize  a song title? What about a painting?​ Even the most experienced writers have a problem remembering the proper punctuation for certain types of titles. Books are italicized (or underlined) and articles are put in quotation marks. That's about as far as many people can remember.​

Many teachers require students to use Modern Language Association style for research papers and essays covering language arts, cultural studies, and the humanities . There is a trick to remembering how to treat titles in MLA style, and it works well enough that you can commit most types of titles to memory. It's the big and little trick.

Big Things vs. Little Things

Big things and things that can stand on their own, like books, are italicized. Little things that are dependent or that come as part of a group, like chapters, are put into quotation marks. Think of a CD or an album as a major (big) work that can be divided into smaller parts, or songs. The individual song names (small part) are punctuated with quotation marks .

For example:

• The Sweet Escape , by Gwen Stefani, includes the song "Wind It Up."

While this is not a perfect rule, it can be helpful for determining whether to italicize or surround an item in quotation marks when you have no resources at hand.

Furthermore, italicize or underline any published collection, like a book of poetry. Put the individual entry, like a poem, in quotation marks. However: a long, epic poem that is often published on its own would be treated like a book. The Odyssey is one example.

Punctuating Titles of Works of Art

Creating a work of art is an enormous task. For that reason, you can think of art as a big accomplishment. That might sound a bit corny, but it will help you remember. Individual works of art, like paintings and sculptures, are underlined or italicized:

• Michelangelo 's David
• The Last Supper

Note that a photograph—although not any less significant or important—is often much smaller than a work of created art, and is placed in quotation marks. Following are guidelines for punctuating titles according to MLA standards.

Titles and Names to Italicize

Works to put in italics include:

• A sculpture or statue
• A TV Series
• A cartoon series
• An encyclopedia
• A newspaper

Titles to Put Into Quotation Marks

When deciding how to handle smaller works, put quotation marks around:

• A short story
• A commercial
• An individual episode in a TV series (like "The Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld)
• A cartoon episode, like "Trouble With Dogs"
• A newspaper story

More Tips on Punctuating Titles

Some titles are merely capitalized and not given additional punctuation. These include:

• Religious works, like the Bible or the Koran
• How to Use Italics
• The Case of the Missing Italics
• Guidelines for Using Quotation Marks Correctly
• German Punctuation Zeichensetzung Punctuation Marks Part 1
• MLA Bibliography or Works Cited
• What Is a Citation?
• Turabian Style Guide With Examples
• An Introduction to Punctuation
• How to Write a Bibliography For a Science Fair Project
• Difference Between "Quote" and "Quotation": What Is the Right Word?
• Definition and Examples of Colons
• Learn the Correct Way to Use Quotation Marks in a Headline
• MLA Sample Pages
• Why, Commas Really Do Make A Difference
• 140 Key Copyediting Terms and What They Mean
• HTML Emphasis Tags

How to Punctuate Titles – Ultimate Guide with Examples

Meet  David De’ Ath , founder, editor, and writer at Wonderful World English. With his extensive background as an English teacher, David provides valuable insights and practical tips on ESL for students and teachers alike.

In the meticulous art of writing, the punctuation of titles is a subtle yet crucial element that can significantly influence a reader’s perception and engagement with the content.

Whether it is a book, an academic paper, a song, or a piece of art, the way in which a title is punctuated reflects the piece’s character and can distinguish it from the masses.

The precision and care given to title punctuation showcase the writer’s dedication to their craft, enhancing the work’s aesthetic appeal and clarity.

This guide will navigate through the norms and nuances of punctuating titles across different mediums, providing writers with the tools to ensure their titles are presented with the authority and polish they deserve.

Punctuating titles correctly is not only a hallmark of professionalism but also an important means of communication within the writing sphere.

Each medium, from movies to blog posts, has its conventions that, when followed, help convey the work’s tone and intent.

This clarity is essential, as in academic circles where accurate punctuation delineates the scope of research or in journalism where it grabs attention and maintains clarity.

By adhering to these conventions, writers can elevate their work, ensuring that it is not overlooked due to avoidable oversights in punctuation.

Key Takeaways

• Proper title punctuation is vital for engaging readers and conveying a piece’s tone.
• Different types of writing require unique punctuation rules to reflect their style and purpose.
• Mastery of title punctuation is a mark of professionalism and enhances communication.

How to Punctuate Titles

In the diverse world of writing, where each piece, whether it be a novel, an article, or a poem, has its unique flavor, understanding how to punctuate titles correctly ensures that your work is presented with the finesse it deserves.

Longer works, such as books and movies, are typically presented in italics, adding a sense of grandeur and importance.

Shorter works, like articles and poems, are often enclosed in quotation marks, creating a cozy, intimate frame for the title.

A consistent style not only enhances the professionalism of your piece but also ensures a smooth reading experience.

However, it’s important to note that some guidelines may suggest underlining instead of italics.

This variation is like choosing between a pencil and a pen; each has its place, depending on the context and preference.

Additionally, different style guides like APA, MLA, or Chicago may have specific nuances in their title punctuation rules.

Understanding these differences is like navigating the varied cuisines of the world – each has its unique flavor and set of guidelines.

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork let’s dive deeper into the specific rules of punctuating titles in various forms of writing.

Now, let’s explore examples from different genres, shedding light on how these rules apply in practical scenarios:

1. Book Titles

Punctuating book titles might seem complex, but it’s quite straightforward once you know the basics.

Here’s a simple guide to help you:

• Always capitalize the first and last words of the title.
• Capitalize key words in the title, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and proper nouns.
• Use capital letters for words like “like,” “as,” or “because.”
• If there’s a colon in the title, capitalize the first word after it.
• Don’t capitalize small words like “a,” “an,” “the” unless they are the first word.
• Avoid capitalizing small connecting words like “and,” “or,” “if.”
• Don’t capitalize short prepositions (words with less than five letters) like “at,” “to,” or “in.”
• For two-part verbs (phrasal verbs) like “give in” or “get over,” capitalize the second part too.
• Use hyphens and question marks if needed, but don’t use commas or periods in titles.

For example, a well-punctuated book title would look like “The Secret Garden: Unveiling Nature’s Mysteries” or “Whispers in the Wind: A Tale of Love and Loss.”

Remember, these rules help make your title clear and eye-catching!

2. Article Titles

Punctuating article titles is quite similar to book titles but with a few differences.

Here’s a simple guide to help you get it right:

• Capitalize the first and last words of the title, just like in book titles.
• Capitalize the important words in the title, which include nouns, verbs, adjectives, and proper nouns.
• Don’t capitalize small words like “a,” “an,” “the,” unless they are the first or last word in the title.
• Small connecting words like “and,” “or,” “but,” “if” should not be capitalized.
• Short prepositions (words with less than five letters) such as “at,” “to,” “from,” “in,” “out,” or “over” are not usually capitalized.
• If the title includes a phrasal verb (like “break down” or “check out”), capitalize both parts.
• Unlike book titles, article titles are usually placed within quotation marks.

For example, an article title would be punctuated like: “The Rise and Fall of Ancient Civilizations” or “Exploring the Depths: A Journey into Deep Sea Biology.”

These rules help make your article titles clear and professional.

Remember to keep them consistent across your writing!

If you want to improve your general writing ability, check out the guide below!

Related Article: How to Sharpen Writing Skills – Full Guide

3. Movie and TV Show Titles

Punctuating movie and TV show titles is straightforward. Here’s a quick guide to help you:

• Capitalize the first and last words of the title.
• Also capitalize all the major words in the title, like nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Don’t capitalize small words like “a,” “an,” “the,” unless they are the first or last word.
• Avoid capitalizing small connecting words like “and,” “but,” “or.”
• For short prepositions (words with fewer than four letters) like “in,” “on,” “at,” don’t capitalize them unless they are the first or last word in the title.

For example, movie and TV show titles should look like: “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Game of Thrones,” or “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.”

These rules will help you ensure that your movie and TV show titles are punctuated correctly and look professional.

4. Song and Album Titles

Punctuating song and album titles is pretty straightforward.

Here’s a quick guide:

• Capitalize the main words in the titles, like nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Don’t capitalize small connecting words like “and,” “but,” “or,” unless they are the first or last word.
• Don’t capitalize small prepositions like “in,” “on,” “at,” unless they are the first or last word.
• When mentioning song titles in text, put them in quotation marks.

For example, song and album titles should look like: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (song), “A Night at the Opera” (album), or “Hotel California” (song).

These simple rules will help you correctly punctuate song and album titles, making your writing clear and professional.

5. Magazine and Newspaper Titles

Punctuating titles of magazine and newspaper articles is easy once you know the rules.

Here’s how:

• Capitalize the first and last words of the article title.
• Capitalize the key words in the title, which include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Don’t capitalize small prepositions (like “in,” “on,” “at”) unless they are the first or last word in the title.
• Place the title of the article in quotation marks when writing it in text.

For example, article titles should look like: “The Future of Renewable Energy” or “Breaking Barriers: Women in Science.”

Following these rules will make your magazine and newspaper article titles look professional and punctuated correctly.

Related Article: How to Read Big Words in English – The Guide

6. Website and Blog Titles

Punctuating website and blog titles are quite similar to other types of titles.

Here’s how to do it:

• Capitalize all the main words in the title, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Don’t capitalize small connecting words like “and,” “but,” “or,” unless they are the first or last word in the title.
• Don’t capitalize short prepositions (like “in,” “on,” “at”) unless they are the first or last word.
• In general, website and blog titles don’t need quotation marks when written in text.

For example, website and blog titles should be punctuated as: “Exploring Digital Frontiers” or “The Art of Baking: A Culinary Journey.”

These guidelines will help ensure that your website and blog titles are punctuated and professional.

7. Poem and Short Story Titles

Punctuating titles of poems and short stories is straightforward and follows a pattern similar to other works.

• Also, capitalize all the major words, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Place poem and short story titles in quotation marks when writing them in text.

For example, titles of poems and short stories should be punctuated as: “The Road Not Taken” (poem) or “The Lottery” (short story).

Following these rules ensures that your poem and short story titles are punctuated correctly and look professional.

8. Play and Musical Titles

Punctuating titles of plays and musicals is easy to do once you understand the basic rules.

• Capitalize all the major words in the title, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Plays and musicals are usually italicized when written in text rather than placed in quotation marks.

For example, play and musical titles should look like: Romeo and Juliet (play) or The Phantom of the Opera (musical).

These rules will help make sure your play and musical titles are punctuated correctly and look polished.

9. Artwork and Sculpture Titles

Punctuating titles for artworks and sculptures follows a straightforward set of rules.

Here’s a simple guide:

• Capitalize all the important words in the title, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Don’t capitalize short prepositions (such as “in,” “on,” “at”) unless they are the first or last word in the title.
• Titles of artworks and sculptures are typically italicized when written in text.

For example, titles of artworks and sculptures should be formatted as: The Starry Night (painting) or The Thinker (sculpture).

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your titles for artworks and sculptures are correctly punctuated and presented professionally.

10. Academic Paper and Research Article Titles

Punctuating titles of academic papers and research articles are similar to other titles but with a focus on clarity and formality.

• Capitalize all major words in the title, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Don’t capitalize short prepositions (such as “in,” “on,” “at”) unless they are the first or last word.
• Academic papers and research articles often use a colon to separate the main title from a subtitle, and both parts follow the same capitalization rules.
• Typically, these titles are not italicized or placed in quotation marks when included in the text.

For example, academic papers and research article titles should be punctuated like: “The Effects of Climate Change on Marine Biodiversity” or “Breaking Barriers in Quantum Computing: A New Era of Technology.”

These guidelines ensure that your academic paper and research article titles are punctuated correctly, lending a professional and formal tone to your work.

Punctuating titles correctly is an essential skill for any writer. It adds a professional touch to your work and makes it more appealing to readers.

It’s important to get familiar with the rules of capitalization, formatting, and specific guidelines for different types of titles.

This guide is a helpful tool for anyone looking to punctuate titles accurately.

If you need more help, there are many great online resources.

Grammarly is one such tool that can check punctuation in titles and text, making it easier to avoid errors.

Whether you’re a new writer or an experienced academic, this guide aims to provide useful tips and insights on title punctuation.

Mastering this skill will help you professionally present your work and engage your readers with clear, well-structured content.

We hope you found value in this guide, you can reach out to us if you require any assistance.

Good luck on your writing journey!

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How to Punctuate Titles

Last Updated: March 17, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 69,019 times.

Punctuating titles can be tricky, especially because different types of titles require different notations and typography. Depending on the type of title, you may need to capitalize the title, underline the title, or use quotation marks around the title to ensure it is punctuated properly. You may also be creating a title for an original work written by you, citing it in a text, or a published work written by someone else, citing it as a reference in your bibliography. Depending on the expectations of your professor or teacher, you may also be required to use the more common MLA style or the less common APA style.

Punctuating the Title of a Shorter Work

• You also use quotation marks for the titles of short stories. For example, “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver or “Coyotes” by Jo Ann Beard.
• This rule also applies to the title of an essay. For example, “Politics and the English Language” by George Orwell.

• For example, if you are citing a chapter title in Moby Dick , you would cite it as “The Carpet-Bag” chapter in Moby Dick .
• If you are citing an article title in a travel journal, it would appear as “Rivers of China” or “Top Hikes in Oregon”. A newspaper article title would appear as “Woman Missing on Hiking Trail”.

• You should also use quotations for the title of a skit or a monologue. For example, “The Bar Skit”.

• If you have any unpublished works that you are titling, such as manuscripts, speeches, lectures, dissertations, or theses, you should use quotation marks. For example, “My Speech on Human Rights” or “A Lecture on Bees”.

• In your references or bibliography, you would use plain text for the titles of shorter works, with no quotation marks. For example, Breaking the Psyche in Adolescents.

Punctuating the Title of a Longer Work

• Story collections and poetry collections are also notated with italics. For example, The Collected Stories of Grace Paley or The Collected Poetry of Dorothy Parker .
• An anthology of essays is also italicized. For example, The Best American Essays .

• The titles of encyclopedias are also italicized. For example, Encyclopedia Britannica or The Encyclopedia of Botanicals .

• The titles of television series or shows as a whole should be italicized. For example, Friends or The Mindy Project .

• Check with your professor or teacher about her preference for underlying or italics before you format titles in a paper or an assignment so you do not get docked points due to formatting errors. If your professor does want you to use underlining instead of italics, follow the same steps above using underlining instead of italics.

Capitalizing Titles In Text and As References

• You must capitalize the first and last word in the title as well as every noun, verb, adjective, and adverb. For example, the title “poem about a happy day” would appear as “Poem about a Happy Day.”
• Do not use all capitals to format the title, for example, “MOBY DICK”. Instead, only capitalize the first letter of each word, for example, “Moby Dick”.

• In APA style, you also only capitalize the first word of any subtitles in the title. For example, “The wise man on the mountain: A true story”.

• For example, the title “wise man on the mountain” would appear as: “Wise Man on the Mountain.”
• The exception to this rule is if the title begins with a preposition or article. The preposition or article would be capitalized in this case. For example, the title “the sound and the fury” would appear as: “The Sound and the Fury.”

• You should also make sure you capitalize any names of persons or key historical events in a title. This could be a well known cultural or political figure, or the name of a historical event.
• For example, the title “The ramifications of Mao Zedong’s cultural revolution” would appear as: “The Ramifications of Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution”.

• When in doubt, more capitalization is better than too little capitalization. You can also look up the title if it already exists in print and check to see how the author or publisher capitalizes the title.

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• ↑ https://style.mla.org/punctuation-with-titles/
• ↑ https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-are-the-different-ways-to-punctuate-titles.htm
• ↑ https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/titles-of-works.html
• ↑ https://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2012/03/how-to-capitalize-and-format-reference-titles-in-apa-style.html

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How Do You Indicate Song Title When Writing? Clear Instructions

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Different ⁣Ways to⁤ Indicate Song Titles in Writing

Using quotation marks to‍ highlight song titles, using italics to emphasize song titles, capitalizing the first letters of each word​ in a song ⁣title, including the ⁤song⁤ title in parentheses, providing⁢ contextual information ⁣with song titles, guidelines for writing song titles in academic papers, maintaining consistency in ‍indicating song titles, frequently asked⁤ questions, wrapping up.

One commonly used way to indicate‌ song‌ titles⁣ in​ writing is to use quotation marks. This helps to⁣ distinguish the title from the surrounding text and gives ‍it prominence. ‍For example, you could write, ⁤”I just listened to one of my all-time ⁢favorite ‌songs, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by⁤ Queen.” ​By enclosing the song ⁤title⁢ in quotation marks, it becomes clear ⁣to the reader that you ‌are referring to a specific⁣ piece‍ of music.

Alternatively, you can also italicize⁢ song titles to ⁣set them apart. ⁢This method is ‌particularly useful when writing in a format that⁢ does not support quotation ‍marks,⁤ such as some social ​media platforms or⁢ handwritten notes. For instance, you‌ could‌ write, “I​ can’t ‍get ‍enough of the ​catchy tune *Shape ⁢of ⁤You* by Ed ‌Sheeran.” By italicizing ⁣the song title, it adds ⁢emphasis and ensures that the reader recognizes it as a distinct title.

Another way‍ to denote song ⁢titles​ is by capitalizing the principal words. This method ‌is often ​used for longer song⁣ titles or when quotation marks or italicization cannot be used. For example, you could⁤ write, “Have you ever heard ‘Dancing Queen’ by ABBA? It’s an absolute classic!” By ⁤capitalizing the​ principal words, such⁢ as ​nouns, ‌verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, the title ⁣stands out ‍and​ is easily recognizable.

Moreover, ⁣you can also use a combination of capitalization and⁣ quotation‌ marks ⁢to⁣ indicate song titles. This‍ method is useful when you want to ‍provide special distinction to a specific song within a⁣ sentence or a paragraph. ‍For example, you ⁣could ‌write, “I​ have been⁤ humming that unforgettable melody, ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams, all day long.” By capitalizing the principal words⁤ and enclosing the title in quotation marks, it‍ ensures that the song title is clearly indicated.

Ultimately,‌ there are various ⁣ways to indicate‌ song titles in writing, including the ‍use of quotation marks, italics, capitalization, or a combination of ⁣these methods. It’s crucial⁣ to be ⁢consistent in your approach throughout your⁤ writing‌ so‍ that readers can easily identify‍ and differentiate the song titles from the rest of the text. Whether you choose to enclose‌ titles in quotation marks, italicize them, capitalize principal words, or ⁣use a combination ‍of formatting styles, the ⁣goal is⁤ to make the ‌song‌ titles ⁢clear and distinguishable within the ⁣context of ⁤your writing.

When ⁢it ⁢comes to writing, using‌ quotation ⁢marks can help distinguish‍ the titles​ of ⁢songs​ and make‌ them stand out.​ Quotation​ marks​ are​ a ⁢simple yet effective way to⁣ convey that⁢ you are referring to⁤ a specific ‍song title. Here’s a guide on how to make your song titles shine ⁣with ‍quotation⁣ marks:

1. Enclose the song title in double ‌quotation marks: “Song Title”. This clearly indicates that you‌ are⁢ referring to⁢ the title of ⁢a song, making it easier for readers ⁣to identify and distinguish⁤ it from the rest of⁢ the text. 2. Use⁤ italics within the quotation‌ marks: “ “Song Title” “. By adding italics to ​the text within the quotation ​marks,⁣ you ⁢give the song title ⁤even more emphasis and make it‌ visually distinctive, capturing the reader’s attention.

Italics are a valuable ⁣tool for adding emphasis and ‌visual distinction to ‍your writing, especially ‍when it comes to ​song titles. By using italics,⁤ you ⁤can ‍make song titles stand out in your ⁣text, helping readers identify ​the exact‍ name of⁣ the song ‍and enhancing‍ the overall reading experience. So, how can you‌ effectively use italics to emphasize song titles? ⁢Let’s explore a few guidelines:

1. Consistency: When using italics⁣ for song titles, ​consistency is key. Ensure that you consistently apply‍ italics for all ‌song titles​ throughout your work‍ to maintain ⁣clarity and uniformity. 2. ‍Use HTML tags:‌ In HTML, you can‍ easily ‌format text using the “ ” tags to insert italics. Simply⁢ enclose the song title within⁤ the opening and closing tags, like “ Song Title “, and‌ watch⁢ the magic happen.

Now that you know the⁤ basics, it’s time to explore a few specific use cases:

– ⁤Song titles within a sentence: When incorporating a ⁣song title ‍within ‍a sentence, use italics to set it apart ​from the surrounding text. For example, “In her latest ⁣single, Dream on a Cloud , the artist ⁢expresses⁣ deep ​emotions⁤ through poignant lyrics.” -‍ Song titles as‌ headings⁣ or subtitles: If you’re writing ‌a review, a ⁢blog post, or an article ⁤specifically about ‍a‌ song, consider using ⁤the song title as a heading or a subtitle. This​ will not​ only ⁤catch the reader’s attention but also allow the title ​to shine. Remember to format the heading⁢ in a larger and bolder font to maximize ‌readability‌ and‌ impact.

is ⁣a common practice in the music ⁣industry. This technique not ​only enhances the visual​ appeal​ of the title but also helps in conveying the artistic⁣ intent ⁤and separating ⁢each‌ word for easier reading.‍ Here are some⁣ reasons why capitalization is important in song​ titles:

1. Visual Impact: Capitalizing the first letter⁤ of each ‌word in a song title instantly⁤ makes it stand out. It adds ⁣a ⁤touch of professionalism, elevating the overall‍ aesthetics​ and making ​the title ⁢visually appealing. 2. ‌Clarity and Readability: By ⁣capitalizing each ​word,⁣ it​ becomes easier⁣ for readers‍ or⁣ listeners to identify⁢ and comprehend the individual words in the title. This ⁢is especially helpful in longer ⁤titles or when words are unfamiliar or unique. 3. ‌Artistic⁤ Expression:⁤ Song ​titles often carry significant meaning ⁤ and convey ⁤the‌ emotions ‍or⁣ themes explored in the⁣ lyrics.⁤ Capitalizing ‍each word can lend ⁤a sense ⁢of importance to the title, emphasizing the artistic ‌expression behind it. 4. Industry Standard: ‌Capitalization of song titles has become an ‌industry standard, making it easier to⁤ recognize ⁤and ​categorize ⁤songs‍ across various platforms and‍ databases.⁣ This consistency aids in ‍organizing music libraries and⁤ searching for⁢ specific songs. 5. Promotional Purposes: A well-crafted, capitalized song‍ title is ‌more ⁣likely to catch the attention of‌ potential listeners ⁤and stand out among a ‍sea of other ‌songs. It‍ can pique ⁤curiosity ​and‍ generate​ interest, ‌giving the artist or band a ‌competitive edge.

One‌ popular practice ‌in the music industry is⁣ ​within the album or‍ track‌ listing.⁤ This simple addition provides ‌a convenient ⁢way ⁣for⁣ listeners to ⁤identify and refer to specific songs, especially when discussing them with others. By encasing the⁣ title ‍within parentheses,‌ it⁢ stands out ⁤from ‍the rest of the text and ⁤serves as a sort​ of visual cue. This ‍convention ⁢has become prevalent ⁢across⁤ various music⁣ genres and formats, allowing fans to easily ​locate‍ their favorite songs and create playlists based⁣ on individual tracks.

Music has⁣ always ​had a way of​ capturing the ‍essence of moments and emotions. When it⁣ comes to providing contextual information, song titles can be a ⁤powerful tool. They have the ability to set⁣ the ​tone, convey a message, or even tell a story just by ⁢their⁤ mere presence.⁣ By ⁤using song⁢ titles strategically, we can add depth‍ and meaning to various forms of content.

One way⁤ to utilize ⁤song titles⁤ is⁤ in ⁢written articles or blog​ posts. Incorporating them⁣ into headings or subheadings ​can ‌instantly grab the reader’s⁤ attention and give them a glimpse ‍of what to expect. For example, if you’re writing an⁢ article ‍on traveling, using a song title like “Wanderlust Boulevard” can convey a⁢ sense ⁣of adventure and inspire⁤ curiosity ‌in your⁤ audience. Additionally, song titles can‌ serve as creative hooks within the content itself,​ highlighting ⁤key⁢ points or providing ‌relevant examples .‍ This​ approach not only ​engages the reader but​ also adds a unique ⁤flair to the overall tone of the piece.

Another medium where song titles can offer‍ contextual⁣ information is in ⁣visual content, such as presentations or infographics. Incorporating song‍ titles into ⁣slides or graphics ⁣can⁣ enhance the⁢ overall theme or message‍ you’re trying to convey. Using ‌bold and larger fonts ​for the song titles can draw ⁤the viewer’s⁣ attention and​ create a‌ visual hierarchy. Whether you’re ​presenting ‍data about climate⁣ change and using a title like ‍”Earth’s Anthem” or showcasing​ the success ​of a business with a title like “Chart-Topping Growth,” song titles ‍can help reinforce ⁣your key ⁤points and make your content more ​memorable.

Incorporating song titles‍ into‌ various forms ​of content can provide a unique‍ way to engage your ⁢audience, convey emotions, and add a touch of creativity. From ‍written‍ articles to visual presentations, ‌the power of song titles lies in their ability to capture the essence of a moment or⁣ concept in⁢ just a few words.⁢ So, ‌next ‌time ‌you’re creating content, consider⁤ how song titles can ‍help ‌provide that extra dose of contextual information ‍and⁤ captivate your audience in a way that resonates with their emotions and interests.

Writing song titles in academic ⁢papers can be a ⁣tricky task, ​as‌ there‌ are specific guidelines to‍ follow. To ⁤ensure ‍consistency and⁢ accuracy, here are some essential guidelines to consider when including⁤ song titles:

1. Capitalization: When writing a⁣ song⁢ title in your academic paper, capitalize the ​principal​ words of the title. This includes nouns, pronouns, verbs, ⁤adverbs, ‍and ⁣adjectives. However, do not capitalize articles⁣ (a,⁤ an, ​the), prepositions (in, on, of), or‌ conjunctions (and, but, or) ​unless they are the first word ‍in ‍the title.

2. Quotation Marks: Enclose‍ song titles⁢ in quotation marks to ⁣indicate that‌ it is a title. This convention allows readers to identify ‍the title ⁢clearly and distinguishes it from the rest of the text.‌ Make‌ sure to place quotation marks at the ⁤beginning and end of the song title. For ⁢example:⁤ “Bohemian Rhapsody” or “Imagine”.

3. ‍Italics: Another option is to ‌italicize the song titles ⁤instead of using quotation marks. Italicizing​ is commonly⁣ used in academic⁢ papers ​and can help differentiate the ​song title from the surrounding ⁤text. Ensure consistency in your ‍paper by either italicizing⁢ or ⁤using quotation marks throughout the text, ⁤depending on your preferred style.

4. Punctuation: Maintain proper punctuation within⁣ the song title. Place any⁤ necessary punctuation marks (e.g., commas, exclamation points) ⁤inside‍ the quotation⁢ marks ⁤or italics. However, if the‍ punctuation is not ⁣part of the song title itself, it‍ should ⁢be placed outside the quotation marks or italics.

Remember‌ to consult‍ the specific formatting ⁣style ⁣guide recommended by⁤ your academic institution or instructor.⁣ Following⁢ these‌ guidelines ⁣diligently will enhance the professionalism of your academic paper and ‌contribute⁤ to overall clarity ⁢and readability.

When it comes to indicating ⁤song titles,‌ consistency is key. Whether you’re a ​writer, a blogger, or simply someone who loves sharing ‍music, using a ⁤unified style ​for song titles can greatly enhance the ⁢readability and aesthetics of your content. Here are some ⁢tips and guidelines to help you maintain ⁤consistency⁣ in ​indicating song titles:

• Italicize or underline: One common practice⁢ is to italicize or⁤ underline song titles to make them stand out. This​ helps distinguish ⁢them⁣ from regular text and indicates ‌that they‍ are specific works of art.
• Capitalize important words: When formatting song titles, capitalize⁣ all important words, ‍such as⁤ nouns, pronouns, verbs,​ adjectives, and ⁣adverbs. However, ⁢articles, conjunctions, and‍ prepositions should‍ be lowercase unless ⁢they are the first ⁣or last ‍word ⁣in​ the title.
• Use quotation marks: Another option is to enclose ​song titles in quotation marks. This style is particularly useful when you’re working with a platform⁣ or‌ medium where it is challenging ‍to apply italics or underlining, ‍such as social ‍media posts or handwritten notes.

By‍ adhering to a⁣ consistent ⁤style ⁢for ⁤indicating ⁤song titles, ​you ⁣provide⁣ clarity and structure to your content. ‌Not only does this⁣ make it easier for readers to identify and search for specific ⁣songs, but it also‍ showcases your⁢ attention to detail. Remember, not only enhances the visual appeal​ of your work but​ also portrays your professionalism⁤ in the‍ music-loving community.

Q: How should ⁤I indicate a ​song title⁣ when ‍writing? A:⁣ When​ writing about songs or‍ including⁣ song titles‍ in your ​writing,‍ it’s important to follow certain formatting guidelines to ​ensure clarity and accuracy. Here’s how you can indicate song titles effectively:

Q: Should song titles ​be ⁤italicized or put in quotation marks? A:‍ Generally, song titles are written in quotation marks. For ⁢example, “Bohemian ​Rhapsody.” However, if you’re creating a formal piece of writing⁤ (such as a research paper) that⁢ requires consistent use of italics for emphasis, you can‍ also ⁢italicize song titles ⁣instead.

Q: Do I⁣ need to ⁣capitalize⁢ every word in a song title? A: In ⁤song titles, it’s common‌ to capitalize the first letter⁢ of each major word. Major words include‌ nouns, pronouns,‍ adjectives,‌ verbs, and adverbs; articles ⁣(a, an, ​the), conjunctions (and,⁣ but, or), and ⁤prepositions (in, on,⁢ at) are⁢ typically not ⁤capitalized unless they are ‍the first or last‌ word of the title. Examples include “Sweet Child o’‌ Mine” and “Love Me Do.”

Q: What if a song title includes punctuation marks ⁢or special characters? A: Punctuation marks and special ⁣characters in song ​titles should be treated and ⁤written exactly as​ they ⁤appear. ⁣This includes apostrophes, hyphens, exclamation points, question​ marks,⁣ and any other ​unique symbols. ‍For instance, “Livin’⁢ on a Prayer” and “Hey,⁣ Jude” should ⁣be ‌written exactly like that.

Q:‍ How should I format a‌ song title within a sentence? A: When including ⁢a song⁤ title within a‍ sentence, you should still enclose ‌it in‍ quotation marks. Additionally, proper ‍punctuation and capitalization should be maintained. ⁤For example, “John dedicated ‌his performance to his‍ favorite song, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.'”

Q: ⁣What should I do if the ​song title is in a language other than English? A: Song titles ⁣in languages other than English⁢ should​ still ⁤follow the same formatting rules as⁢ mentioned ⁢earlier. Therefore, they should be‍ written in ⁤quotation marks ‍with correct capitalization. However, remember ‌to ‍preserve any​ special ⁣characters ⁤or ⁢diacritical marks ‌that may⁤ be present ⁣in the ⁤original title.

Q: Are there any exceptions to these ⁢formatting guidelines? A: Yes, ‍there ‌are a few exceptions. ⁢Some musical compositions ⁤that are divided‌ into smaller parts, such as movements ​in symphonies or classical pieces, are⁤ often italicized instead of being put in quotation marks. However, it’s always best to consult a style guide or follow ‌the specific ​guidelines provided by your instructor or publisher.

Remember,⁢ properly indicating​ song‍ titles in ‌your writing gives ‌your‌ readers a clear understanding and ​maintains consistency ​throughout your⁢ work. ‌Following these​ guidelines‍ will​ help you accomplish just that!

In conclusion, ‌properly indicating ⁢song titles when ​writing is⁤ crucial ‍to maintain clarity and consistency. Whether ‍you italicize, underline, or ⁣use quotation marks, following⁣ a specific⁢ style​ guide will ensure your readers understand ⁤and appreciate your⁣ musical references. So go ahead, write with ⁣confidence, and ⁣let ​the music flow‍ in ​your writing.⁢

Do We Quote Titles When Writing Papers? Best Practices

When Writing an Essay: Underline the Title for Clarity

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Musical Titles

Formatting and punctuation.

Generic titles should not be italicized or put in quotations:

Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op. 92

Piano Concerto in A Minor by Robert Schumann

Mozart, Requiem, K. 626

Note that in titles the pitch and the tonality are capitalized.

Opus numbers appear last, without capitalization, and are preceded by a comma.

The abbreviation for any cataloguer (Kchel = K.) is given as a capital letter.

If a work such as those listed above also has a title, the title is listed at the end, in italics, preceded by a comma:

Mahler's Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Resurrection

Symphony No. 5 in D Major, op. 107, Reformation by Mendelssohn

In a paper, the first appearance of a title should appear in full, as in the examples above. Subsequent references to the same work can be in shortened form, such as:

The Resurrection Symphony by Mahler

Beethoven's Seventh Symphony

Non-generic titles should be italicized, including song titles that are not a part of a larger work or cycle. Here are several examples:

Bartk, Concerto for Orchestra

Brahms, Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn , op. 56a

Schoenberg, Gurrelieder

Ravel, Alborada del gracioso

R. Strauss, Also sprach Zarathustra

Schubert, Erlknig

A hierarchy of italics (opera title) and quotations should be used for aria titles:

Wagner, "Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater" from Die Walkre

Verdi, "Sempre libera" from La Traviata

"Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater" from Wagner's Die Walkre

"Sempre libera" from La Traviata by Verdi

Note that the title of the opera is in italics, and the title of the excerpt, recitative or aria is in quotes. This system can also be applied to any work where individual sections have titles separate from that of the complete work, including oratorios and song cycles:

Schubert, "Der Lindenbaum" from Winterreisse

Strauss, "Klnge der Heimat" from act II of Fledermaus

For recitatives and arias or sections of a scene, give both titles (first few words) connected by three dots between the texts.

Return to Music History Resource Guide

Punctuation with Titles

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

In a previous Ask the MLA post, we explained how to incorporate titles ending in question marks or exclamation points into works-cited-list entries . But how do you incorporate such titles into your prose? How do you handle titles ending in other punctuation marks? And what should you do about other matters of punctuation related to titles?

Titles Ending in Question Marks or Exclamation Points in Your Prose

At the MLA, we never insert a period after a title ending in a question mark or exclamation point, but we insert a comma if doing so makes a sentence easier to read—for example, when such a title is one item in a series or when the title is contained in a nonrestrictive clause:

“I just saw Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , Oklahoma! , and Design for Living ,” Roland said.

The center hopes its 1992 theme, Explore New Worlds—Read!, will draw attention to geography.

But when possible, we prefer to reword:

The center hopes to draw attention to geography with its 1992 theme, Explore New Worlds—Read!

Titles That Need to Be Shortened 

When we need to shorten a really long title in a works-cited-list entry, we add an ellipsis after the first part of the title up to at least the first noun. If a work has an alternative title, we might include it. If a period is needed, we insert the period before the ellipsis and set the punctuation roman:

Bulwer, John.  Philocophus; or, The Deafe and Dumbe Mans Friend. . . .      Humphrey Mosely, 1648.

If a comma is needed, as it would be when the long title is the title of a container, we insert it after the ellipsis. We set the ellipsis and the comma roman:

Smith, Ann. Introduction.  Philocophus; or, The Deafe and Dumbe Mans Friend . . .  , Humphrey Mosely, 1648, pp. x-xxi.

In prose, we omit the ellipsis:

Philocophus; or, The Deafe and Dumbe Mans Friend  was written by John Bulwer.

Titles Ending in an Ellipsis or Dash

If the ellipsis is part of the title, we add the period or comma after the ellipsis. The ellipsis is set in italics if the title is italicized, but the additional punctuation is set roman:

One of the most popular comic films of the 1980s was Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally . . . . One of the most popular comic films of the 1980s was When Harry Met Sally . . . , directed by Rob Reiner. Work Cited Reiner, Rob, director. When Harry Met Sally . . . . MGM, 1989.

We follow the same principle if a title ends in a dash:

A well-known poem about death is Emily Dickinson’s “I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—.” A well-known poem about death is “I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—,” by Emily Dickinson. Work Cited Dickinson, Emily. “I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—.” The Poems of Emily Dickinson , edited by R. W. Franklin, Harvard UP, 1999.

Titles and Subtitles

Section 1.2.1 of the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook says, “Use a colon and a space to separate a title from a subtitle, unless the title ends in a question mark or an exclamation point. Include other punctuation only if it is part of the title or subtitle.”

The handbook provides the following examples:

Storytelling and Mythmaking: Images from Film and Literature

Whose Music? A Sociology of Musical Language

But sometimes titles are not straightforward. In such cases, we follow some additional rules.

For example, when a title is followed by two subtitles, we use two colons:

Finis Coronat Opus: A Curious Reciprocity: Shelley’s “When the Lamp Is Shattered”

When a period separates a title and a subtitle on the title page, we change the period to a colon. When a question mark, exclamation point, or dash separates a title and a subtitle on the title page, we leave the original mark:

On the title page: The East End. The Story of a Neighborhood

In your prose: The East End: The Story of a Neighborhood

Both on the title page and in your prose: What Do I Know? An Account of an Investigation

But if a title contains a title ending in a question mark or exclamation point, we add a colon:

Moby-Dick and Absalom, Absalom! : Two American Masterpieces

Here the exclamation point is part of the title Absalom, Absalom! , so a colon is needed to separate the title Moby-Dick and Absalom, Absalom! from the subtitle.

Double Titles

For an alternative or double title in English beginning with or , we follow the first example given in section 8.165 of The Chicago Manual of Style and punctuate as follows:

England’s Monitor; or, The History of the Separation (452)

But no semicolon is needed for a title in English that ends with a question mark or exclamation point:

“Getting Calliope through Graduate School? Can Chomsky Help? or, The Role of Linguistics in Graduate Education in Foreign Languages”

For double titles of foreign language publications, we follow the source.

Dates in Titles

Unless a date is part of a title’s syntax, we follow section 8.163 of Chicago and set it off with a comma:

Melodrama Unveiled: American Theater and Culture, 1800–1850 (451)

Serial Comma in Titles

Contrary to section 8.163 of Chicago , for English-language titles of books published in the United States, we add the serial comma before the conjunction preceding the final item in a series if the comma is missing. Otherwise, we follow the source. The following book was published by Verso in London, so the serial comma is not added:

Buelens, Geert. Everything to Nothing: The Poetry of the Great War, Revolution and the Transformation of Europe. Verso, 2015.

Works Cited

The Chicago Manual of Style . 16th ed., U of Chicago P, 2016.

MLA Handbook . 8th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2016.

90 Comments

Omar 22 october 2017 at 07:10 am.

Dear Jennifer, I have a question regarding the use of semi-colons in the subtitle of report headlines. Specifically, I'd like to know whether or not the first word after the semi-colon should be capitalized. I know that the first word after the subtitle typically begins with a capital letter as per Chicago and AP rules, but the AP is silent on what to do when the subtitle is itself separated by a semi-colon. Is the below headline acceptable?

Hurricanes 2017: Galeforce winds batter UK; Flood warnings issued nationwide

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Jennifer A. Rappaport 23 October 2017 AT 12:10 PM

Great question. MLA style, following Chicago , capitalizes the first letter of the first and last words of a title and the first letter of any other words in the title unless they are articles or prepositions, so in your example, we would capitalize not only "Flood" but also all the other words in the title: "Hurricanes 2017: Galeforce Winds Batter UK; Flood Warnings Issued Nationwide." (Note that "galeforce" is not in Webster's so if we were crafting this title we would style it "Gale-Force Winds," but if it were a published title, we would follow copy.)

Amy W 05 January 2018 AT 09:01 AM

What would you do if the title with a question mark was in quotes, rather than italicized? Would the comma go inside or outside the quotation mark? "...?," Or "...?",

Jennifer A. Rappaport 08 January 2018 AT 09:01 AM

The comma would be placed inside the quotation marks.

Colleen 24 April 2018 AT 02:04 PM

Where would the commas go if I listed multiple titles that had quotation marks? Ex. I read "Riding the Rails," "The Long Road to Oregon," and "Coming out West." Is that correct with the commas and period inside the quotation marks?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 24 April 2018 AT 08:04 PM

Yes, correct. Please see our related post for examples: style.mla.org/punctuation-and-quotation-marks/

Amy Nelson 26 January 2018 AT 05:01 PM

When the title of the work being cited in the WC list includes the title of another text (for example, the cited work is titled A Critical Edition of John Lydgate's _Life of Our Lady_, with the last four words in the title -- here set apart with underscores -- being the title of a long poem and thus italicized), should the secondary / interior title be italicized along with the main title, or should it be formatted in standard typeface in contrast with the main title's italics?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 31 January 2018 AT 09:01 AM

Thanks for your question. The answer is on p. 71 of the handbook (1.2.4 "Titles within Titles").

Patricia Bostian 20 February 2018 AT 12:02 PM

Can't find an answer for citing a title within a title when it comes at the end. This is for a citation: "An Overview of 'A Rose for Emily'." OR "An Overview of 'A Rose for Emily.'"

Jennifer A. Rappaport 21 February 2018 AT 12:02 PM

Great question. The period goes inside the single quotation mark.

Karen 12 March 2018 AT 12:03 AM

I have an issue with a document on line that I want to call attention to. This document has several sections or parts and each section or part has a name/header/sort of title. I need to mention the name/header/title of each section in this document. Should I put the names/headers/titles of each section in quotations or italics? How should I punctuate this? Also, to do certain things with this document, you have to navigate through it, for example: click "Save and finish later" or click "Next". Should these "Click" buttons be in quotation marks or italics as well? Thank you for your help.

Jennifer A. Rappaport 13 March 2018 AT 02:03 PM

Thanks for your question. We'll submit it to Ask the MLA.

Renee 15 March 2018 AT 10:03 PM

When citing an article title that contains periods, should the periods be omitted? For example: In the article "That's No Woman. That's My Wife.," the author states...

That's No Woman. That's My Wife. is the title, but the punctuation doesn't look correct. Thank you!

Jennifer A. Rappaport 16 March 2018 AT 07:03 AM

Good question. We'll submit it to Ask the MLA.

Frank 27 July 2018 AT 07:07 PM

Jennifer, thanks for this wonderful and useful piece. One issue I'm still confused about is how to handle the mid-sentence appearance of titles containing a single comma. (Some examples: Lust, Caution ; White Hunter, Black Heart ; New York, New York .

To consider the last example, I know that I would write a non-title version of the phrase as follows:

• I took a trip to New York, New York, and had a wonderful time.

But is this the correct way to place the title in the middle of a sentence?

• We watched the Scorsese film New York, New York and really enjoyed it.

Is no comma required at the end of the title to "close out" the comma in the middle?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 30 July 2018 AT 06:07 AM

Thanks for your question. Whereas a comma is needed before and after the state in formulations such as "New York, New York," when the city and state are used as the title of a work, no comma is needed following the name of the state, unless the grammar of the rest of the sentence requires it (After watching the movie New York, New York , we went out to dinner).

Alethia 14 August 2018 AT 03:08 PM

Is it common to place an additional comma between the year and time in a subtitle? i.e. meeting announcement August 21, 2018, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (EST)

Jennifer A. Rappaport 15 August 2018 AT 07:08 AM

Yes, a comma should generally separate a date from a time.

Cynthia Crosbie 30 August 2018 AT 12:08 AM

How would you punctuate this sermon title: “Building Wisely,” Part 1 Should Part 1 be written as part of the title? italicized? in parentheses? Should Part 1 be left off and only Part 2 and Part 3 written?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 03 September 2018 AT 06:09 PM

Thanks for your question. In MLA style, "part 1" would be included in the "Number" slot on the MLA format template:

https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/

ML Corwin 08 November 2018 AT 04:11 PM

The author of this book has put colons after the chapter numbers followed by the chapter title. Three chapters are each about one of three "Power Blockers." How to punctuate those? Which of two styles is preferable? Use a second colon or not?

Chapter 6: Power Blocker #3 Misplaced Blame

Chapter 6: Power Blocker #3: Misplaced Blame

Jennifer A. Rappaport 09 November 2018 AT 09:11 AM

There's no hard-and-fast rule about how to style chapter numbers before titles, but in a table of contents, I would recommend the following in the example you've sent:

Chapter 6. Power Blocker #3: Misplaced Blame

Andrew Johnston 29 November 2018 AT 02:11 PM

My question concerns the title of an academic publication.

In my situation, the title concludes with a question and the subtitle gives further clarification.

How can I distinguish the title from the subtitle?

For example:

Competition Law within the European Union is Functioning Just Fine, but do fines cut it?: An exploration of the efficacy of corporate fines in achieving the goals of EU Competition Law, and the potential benefits of reform.

Competition Law within the European Union is Functioning Just Fine, but do fines cut it? An exploration of the efficacy of corporate fines in achieving the goals of EU Competition Law, and the potential benefits of reform.

I look forward to having this one resolved.

Jennifer A. Rappaport 30 November 2018 AT 08:11 AM

Thanks for your question. The question mark separates the title from the subtitle.

Competition Law within the European Union Is Functioning Just Fine, but Do Fines Cut It? An Exploration of the Efficacy of Corporate Fines in Achieving the Goals of EU Competition Law, and the Potential Benefits of Reform.

Sue 05 December 2018 AT 05:12 AM

Hi there, We are trying to figure out how to punctuate a role title. For example,

You are invited to be an Organization Lead at xyz company.

Should 'Organization Lead' have quotation marks like "Organization Lead" or single quotations or none at all?

And if a course title, do I add 'xx' or "xx" as well in a phrase? For example, Access "Digital Marketing" today.

Thank you for your help!

Jennifer A. Rappaport 05 December 2018 AT 07:12 AM

Thanks for your question. In MLA style, quotation marks are not used around professional titles or titles of courses. We also lowercase professional titles: organization lead.

Stevie D 11 December 2018 AT 04:12 PM

When using a short story title within a paper's title, and before a subtitle, where does the colon belong?

"A Rose for Emily:" Northern Progress Meets Southern Tradition or "A Rose for Emily": Northern Progress Meets Southern Tradition

Thanks for your help!

Jennifer A. Rappaport 11 December 2018 AT 07:12 PM

The colon goes after the title in quotation marks:

“A Rose for Emily”: Northern Progress Meets Southern Tradition

Shari 14 January 2019 AT 10:01 PM

Thank you so much for your help Jennifer, but what if the title is an analysis of a book. For example, about animals in Harry Potter?

Can I write:

Anthropomorphisation and Animal representation: A post humanistic analysis of Harry Potter.

Is this the right format for MLA?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 15 January 2019 AT 06:01 AM

Thanks for your question. The correct styling in MLA format would be

Anthropomorphization and Animal Representation: A Posthumanistic Analysis of the Harry Potter Books (since Harry Potter is the name of a series of books, not the name of a particular book).

Christine Dushack 22 January 2019 AT 12:01 PM

For the following, does the period go inside the quotation marks or outside? It is a title of a paper.

For questions 3-10, refer to "The Beetle Juice". Or For questions 3-10, refer to "The Beetle Juice."

Jennifer A. Rappaport 22 January 2019 AT 12:01 PM

Thanks for your question. See our answer here:

https://style.mla.org/punctuation-and-quotation-marks/

Mark 02 February 2019 AT 10:02 AM

While I understand how to punctuate a question, I'm a bit confuse as to the proper rule regarding titles that do not indicate it's a question but rather an answer.

For example, there are plenty of "how to" posts that do not have any punctation in the title.

How to prepare for a snowstorm

How do I prepare for a snowstorm?

I would think the proper way is ...

How to prepare for a snowstorm. (with a period)

But I'm finding several major newspapers and magazines do not punctuate these titles with a period. It seems to me it creates a conflict with citing sources using proper punctuations. Can you clarify how MLA handles this?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 03 February 2019 AT 08:02 AM

Thanks for your question. We would style the title as follows:

How to Prepare for a Snowstorm

Calla Andrews 26 March 2019 AT 02:03 PM

Does one need a period after a title ending with a question mark when the title is the end of the sentence? For example: We were analyzing the short story "Who's Afraid of the Storm?" I think that's enough punctuation, but should there be a period after the quotes? With a non-question mark title, the period for the end of the sentence would go inside the quotes.

Jennifer A. Rappaport 26 March 2019 AT 04:03 PM

A question mark is indeed enough punctuation in your example. There should be no period after the closing quotation mark.

Carly Bondár 02 April 2019 AT 01:04 PM

Hi there. I have a question about listing book titles that have commas in their titles. For example, I want to list four book titles in a single sentence, but two of the books have commas in the titles. How do I write out the list so as to be clear about which commas are part of the titles and which are separating items in a list? Do I use semicolons? It doesn't look right. As of now the only thing distinguishing the commas in the titles from the commas used as list separators is that the former are italicized and the latter are not. I just worry this isn't clear enough when the font is small.

Jennifer A. Rappaport 03 April 2019 AT 07:04 AM

Great question, Carly. You have it exactly right: the commas between the titles are not italicized, so those commas separate one title from another.

Eitan 03 July 2019 AT 07:07 PM

In my academic field, I often see titles that include some made-up system name, a colon, and a short description of the system. Something like: "Gizmo: a great new way to do things". Is there a name or term for the first word in this title, the system name? It's clearly not the subtitle or the title, but is there anything else I can call it?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 15 July 2019 AT 12:07 PM

In this case, "Gizmo" is the title, and "A Great New Way to Do Things" is the subtitle.

Jesse P 14 July 2019 AT 07:07 PM

Hi, I'm wondering what to do when a question inside quotation marks is the first half of a title (i.e. followed by a subtitle). I see that it says here, “Use a colon and a space to separate a title from a subtitle, unless the title ends in a question mark or an exclamation point. Include other punctuation only if it is part of the title or subtitle.” However, does that still hold true when the title is in quotation marks? In that case might the colon be added back (since technically the quotation mark would make for a barrier between the question mark and the colon so they wouldn't be directly in a row)? Or still no? For example: "A Man for All Seasons?" Reflections on John Wayne OR "A Man for All Seasons?": Reflections on John Wayne

Jennifer A. Rappaport 15 July 2019 AT 01:07 PM

We retain the colon:

"A Man for All Seasons?": Reflections on John Wayne

David Charles Burt 29 July 2019 AT 03:07 PM

I need advice on how to use commas in a title of a piece I've written for an American publication. The title is: From Brass Pins Pistols and Swords to Warships.

How are the commas to be placed in this title ? David Burt, England.

Izabel 02 December 2019 AT 11:12 PM

Hi! I'm an artist (a painter) and sometimes I have two names, or titles, for my paintings. How to write it correctly? Usually I just place it in quotation, for example: "The painting one", or "The painting two". I'm originally from Russia, and we have these punctuation rules (with comma before 'or' with double titles), but I doubt it is correct in English. Please, help.

Jennifer A. Rappaport 03 December 2019 AT 07:12 AM

Thanks for your question. We also have rules in English for punctuating double titles. See the section "Double Titles" above.

Zaine Pittman 10 December 2019 AT 04:12 PM

Hello, I have a question. What if there is a book with a title that has the article "The" in it. When you write it on a document or something, would you put the article after the full title, and separate the article and end of the title with a comma? for example, "Maze of Bones, The"?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 11 December 2019 AT 07:12 AM

Thanks for your question. In prose and works-cited-lists, the article should remain at the start of the title, but in an index, it would likely be listed as Maze of Bones, The.

Kara Wood 09 January 2020 AT 07:01 PM

I have a list of newspaper article titles that are being analyzed by some high school students; naturally, one of the article titles ends with a question mark. What is MLA's rule on this?

Here's the opening to his précis:

In his 2019 articles “Sea Level Rise Could Claim Mar-a-Lago — and Trump’s empire,” “U.S. Women’s Soccer Players Shouldn’t be Paid as Much as Men. They Should Get More.,” and “What Can a Black Person do to Keep from Getting Killed by Police in this Country?” American columnist Eugene Robinson unabashedly addresses various controversial topics, ranging from the everyday lunch conversation starter, climate change, to the heated, yet popular political campaign platforms of gender and racial discrimination in order to . . .

Jennifer A. Rappaport 15 January 2020 AT 07:01 AM

Thanks for your question. We would insert a comma between the question mark and the closing quotation mark because it makes the sentence easier to read.

Reb 03 March 2020 AT 04:03 PM

If a book title within an article title is not italicized should this be corrected in the citation?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 04 March 2020 AT 06:03 AM

Thanks for your question. See section 1.2.4 of the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook .

christina 03 March 2020 AT 07:03 PM

Is it correct if I were to have my title with a colon and a question mark? If so, do I add a space between?

Thanks for your question. A colon and a question mark should not generally appear next to each other in a title. So, for instance, if a title ends in a question mark and the title is followed by a subtitle, do not add a colon between the title and the subtitle. See the example above: Whose Music? A Sociology of Musical Language .

Reb 04 March 2020 AT 11:03 AM

Thanks but 1.2.4 does not address my question. Yes, a book title within a journal article title should be italicized. But if the book title is NOT italicized in the actual journal article, do I make that correction in my works cited page?

Jennifer A. Rappaport 05 March 2020 AT 07:03 AM

Thanks for the clarification. If the book title is not italicized in the journal article, do not italicize it. Copy the article title as it appears in the source.

Reb 05 March 2020 AT 05:03 PM

Jeff dailey 17 april 2020 at 08:04 am.

I want to title a play with a long title and need your thoughts on both my chosen punctuation and capitalization and thank you. Here is my title: An Angel with Flowers, Broadway Bound in Twenty-Seventeen, B.C. [Before COVID-19]

Jennifer A. Rappaport 20 April 2020 AT 06:04 AM

Thanks for your question. You might consider An Angel with Flowers: Broadway-Bound in 2017 BC (before COVID-19)

Julie 27 April 2020 AT 11:04 AM

Should university course titles be punctuated if they are mentioned in a letter?

For example: "I look Introduction to Film last spring, and it helped me understand movies."

Thank you for such a helpful forum!

Jennifer A. Rappaport 28 April 2020 AT 07:04 AM

Thanks for your question. In MLA style, course titles are set roman without quotation marks, so your example is correct.

Ricardo Bravo 29 June 2020 AT 10:06 AM

Hi There, Names of restaurants, theaters should be in italic as well? Best and thanks!

Jennifer A. Rappaport 29 June 2020 AT 03:06 PM

Thanks for your question. Names of restaurants and theaters should be styled roman without quotation marks.

Mark 22 August 2020 AT 10:08 AM

Good Day Jennifer, is it a grammer law that you Must put a question mark at the end of your title if the title is a question...I"m just trying to find out the Pros and Con"s and the benefits of using the question mark in this type title.

Jennifer A. Rappaport 29 August 2020 AT 08:08 AM

Thanks for your comment. It's probably a good idea to include a question mark if you are creating a title that is a question.

Valerie Exar 06 October 2020 AT 09:10 AM

Hello, For the title of a paper I'm writing:

A Comparison of Water Supply in Houston, TX and Baltimore, MD

Do I put a comma after TX, as I would insert within the body of the paper? (Same question would apply if I spelled out the state names)

Jennifer A. Rappaport 07 October 2020 AT 07:10 AM

Thanks for your question. Yes, there should be a comma after "TX" or after "Texas."

Madeline Patrick 14 October 2020 AT 03:10 PM

Hello, Jennifer A. Rappaport. As a high school junior enrolled in a college class, I want to, well, I want to show off to my classmates. I mustn't have errors! After some reading online, I have received mixed answers on whether or not I can put a period at the end of a précis title for emphasis. Could you help me?

With many thank yous, Madeline A. Patrick

Jennifer A. Rappaport 15 October 2020 AT 08:10 AM

Thanks for your question. A title should not end in a period.

Samantha Hanna 10 December 2020 AT 11:12 AM

What would you put after by in the title?

By: someone? A

By; someone? B

By, someone? C

Jennifer A. Rappaport 10 December 2020 AT 11:12 AM

Thanks for your question. Are you referring to the byline rather than the title? If so, there should be no punctuation between "by" and the author's name.

Patrick Love 23 February 2021 AT 12:02 PM

Thank you for your post. I have a question concerning how to punctuate a short story title, but I am trying to add an apostrophe "s" to the title. I am trying to make this sentence: "The Necklace's" ending is an example of situational irony because ...

So I am wondering if it is correct to add the apostrophe "s" inside of the quotation marks or should it be added outside of the quotation marks?

Thank you for your time, Patrick

C. Barney Latimer 09 March 2021 AT 10:03 AM

The apostrophe and "s" go after the title’s closing quotation mark (“The Necklace”’s). However, an easier and more readable solution would be to reword the sentence to avoid this awkward use of the possessive: The ending of “The Necklace” is an example of situational irony because. . . .

Judy Lee 06 May 2021 AT 09:05 AM

I think a period is needed at the end of the following sentence: The peddler went up, took out a scroll, and showed him the verse “Who is the man who desires life […]?” (Psalms 34:13). What say you? Thanks.

Chris Davis 19 May 2021 AT 02:05 PM

How do you punctuate a title and subtitle that are BOTH questions?

A Water-Proof Phone?: Is There a Market for Water Resistant Smartphones? OR A Water-Proof Phone? Is There a Market for Water Resistant Smartphones?

C. Barney Latimer 25 May 2021 AT 04:05 PM

When the main title of a work ends in a question mark or exclamation point, no colon precedes the subtitle, even if the subtitle also ends in a question mark or exclamation point. The correct format for your example is therefore “A Waterproof Phone? Is There a Market for Water-Resistant Smartphones?” Note that no period follows the question mark at the end of the subtitle when the title appears at the end of the sentence. However, if a title ending in a question mark appears in the middle of a sentence, a comma may be used if it makes the sentence easier to read, as in this example: “After reading ‘A Waterproof Phone? Is There a Market for Water-Resistant Smartphones?,’ I accidentally dropped my smartphone in the bath.”

W. 16 October 2021 AT 01:10 PM

If the title of a work appears at the end of a sentence, where does the period go? before or after the quotations marks for the work? B) Aesop uses allegory and satire to expose humanity’s ego in his fable, “The Fox and the Grapes”. or B) Aesop uses allegory and satire to expose humanity’s ego in his fable, “The Fox and the Grapes.”

Wyatt F. 18 November 2021 AT 09:11 AM

How would you punctuate a title that exclaims itself?

Ammy 23 November 2021 AT 09:11 AM

How the author can enter the number/part of the paper in the title of their essay/monograph/article for publication in a journal. The MLA Template shows the sequence of writing the numbering when quoting/referring someone's work; but it does not answer the question of how the author should compose their title correctly when the work is divided into parts. For example:

1// Short Title: A Long Subheading Containing Ten Words—Paper 1 of (a/the?) Historical Jesus Review Series

2// Short Title: A Long Subheading Containing Ten Words Part 2 of Historical Jesus Review Series /as second line/

3// Short Title: A Long Subheading Containing Ten Words. Part 3 of Historical Jesus Review Series

4//Short Title: A Very Long Subheading Containing Fourteen Words. I Short Title: A Very Long Subheading Containing Fourteen Words. II

How it is advisable to design the numbering itself: Article 1, Essay 2, Part 3, IV, or just Paper 5?

The question is fundamental and will help many people who divide their articles into parts. Thank you for your comprehensive responsiveness.

Christin Bonin 17 January 2022 AT 08:01 AM

I am about to publish my dissertation. The Title is: The Broadway Belt The Musical Diva and her Belt Voice from Technical, Ethnic, and Feminist Perspectives Now my big question: Oxford Comma after Ethnic/before and ... or not?

Aliaa Bondok 09 February 2022 AT 08:02 PM

Hello! Unfortunately, I could not find an answer to my question in the MLA guide, so here is it: How do I punctuate a certain quote take from a novel when I include this quote in a title, heading, or sub-heading? Should I capitalize the words of the quote or just copy them as they are in the novel? Example: the original quote reads: “a future of poverty and despondency” I want to include it in a subheading a) Escaping “a future of poverty and despondency” b) Escaping "a Future of Poverty and Despondency" Which version is correct, (a) or (b)?

Thanks in advance!

Pallavi 20 April 2022 AT 12:04 PM

Is this title correct ?

Prone to dominance and criminality ? : The scientist figure in selected films

Russ 21 April 2022 AT 01:04 PM

My book title contains a colon, but I am told that the title, when placed on the book cover, binding and title page, should be written without the colon. I am confused!

Jadyn 03 October 2022 AT 06:10 PM

If the title is inside quotation marks at the end of a sentence (Example: This is discussed in the book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success") Does the period go inside or outside the quotation?

Laura Kiernan 24 October 2022 AT 04:10 PM

Thanks for your question. In MLA style, titles of books are italicized, so, in the example you supplied, you wouldn't surround Mindset: The New Psychology of Success in quotation marks. For guidance on punctuation around titles, see section 2.105 of the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

Nour 30 October 2022 AT 05:10 PM

Hi i have a question regarding article titles is it : Study Suggests Video Games Can Help Mental Health. or Study Suggests Video Games Can Help Mental Health with ponctuation or without ponctuation ??

Kristina 03 October 2023 AT 01:10 PM

Hi there, I'm working on a subtitle for my children's book. Title: A children's picture book about monsters (or perhaps not-so-scary monsters) I would use caps, but I'm not exactly certain which words wouldn't be capitalized other than or? I'm wondering if you can use parenthesis in a book subtitle? Originally I was thinking about using the line: A children's picture book about scary monsters (or ARE they)? Again, I'm not sure about the parenthesis or ending a book subtitle with a question mark. I've seen one so far and they placed the question mark inside the parenthesis and didn't have any punctuation after the parenthesis. Just wanted to get your advice. Thanks so much!

Uma Maheswari 08 November 2023 AT 09:11 PM

I want to frame a question in MLA style. Which one is correct regarding the question mark at the end? What is the significance of the title of the poem "An African Elegy"? What is the significance of the title of the poem "An African Elegy?" Note: The title of the poem does not have a question mark. It is mine. Thank you

Laura Kiernan 09 November 2023 AT 04:11 PM

Thank you for your question about MLA style. For guidance, see section 6.53 of the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

Emma 17 February 2024 AT 09:02 AM

In my list of works cited, titles of self-contained sources need to be italized, now my question is, does the period right after it have to be italized as well or just the title? Thank you!

Noir 27 March 2024 AT 07:03 PM

Can I include a period at the end of a sentence for a title?

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Punctuation of Song and Poem Titles

Punctuation of Song and Poem Titles                 

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 2

Punctuating song and poem titles can be a bit confusing. Both songs and poems don’t always fit into our general rules that things which are “short, part of a whole, or can’t  be picked up a table” are enclosed within quotation marks and things which are “long, whole things, or can be picked up from a table” are italicized or underlined. After all, some songs and poems can be very long. Some songs and poems are not parts of a whole. You can certainly buy just one song from iTunes. Finally, how do you pick up a download from a table? It’s important to remember that  rules all have exceptions.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on how to punctuate song and poem titles . Remember that any title of a creative work must be punctuated with either italics (underlining if written) or quotations . 

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Place quotation marks before and after the titles of songs and poems. Songs and poems are parts of whole things , small things , or things that can’t be picked up from a table . Examples: “Jingle Bells” “This Little Piggy”

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice:  The lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” were taken from Francis Scott Key’s poem titled Defence of Fort McHenry .

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers:  The lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” were taken from Francis Scott Key’s poem titled “Defence of Fort McHenry.” Note that defence  is the British spelling.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application:  Write your own sentence using the title of a song.

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Brief Overview of Punctuation

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When speaking, we can pause or change the tone of our voices to indicate emphasis. When writing, we use punctuation to indicate these places of emphases. This handout should help to clarify when and how to use various marks of punctuation.

Use a comma to join two independent clauses and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, so).

Use a comma after an introductory phrase, prepositional phrase, or dependent clause.

Use a comma to separate elements in a series. Although there is no set rule that requires a comma before the last item in a series, it seems to be a general academic convention to include it. The examples below demonstrate this trend.

Use a comma to separate nonessential elements from a sentence. More specifically, when a sentence includes information that is not crucial to the message or intent of the sentence, enclose it in or separate it by commas.

Use a comma between coordinate adjectives (adjectives that are equal and reversible).

Use a comma after a transitional element (however, therefore, nonetheless, also, otherwise, finally, instead, thus, of course, above all, for example, in other words, as a result, on the other hand, in conclusion, in addition)

Use a comma with quoted words.

Use a comma in a date.

Use a comma in a number.

Use a comma in a personal title.

Use a comma to separate a city name from the state.

Avoid comma splices (two independent clauses joined only by a comma). Instead, separate the clauses with a period, with a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction, or with a semicolon.

Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis.

Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).

Use a semicolon to join elements of a series when individual items of the series already include commas.

For more information on semicolons, please see the "90-Second Semicolon" vidcast series on the Purdue OWL YouTube Channel .

Use a colon to join two independent clauses when you wish to emphasize the second clause.

Use a colon after an independent clause when it is followed by a list, a quotation, an appositive, or other ideas directly related to the independent clause.

Use a colon at the end of a business letter greeting.

Use a colon to separate the hour and minute(s) in a time notation.

Use a colon to separate the chapter and verse in a Biblical reference.

Parenthesis

Parentheses are used to emphasize content. They place more emphasis on the enclosed content than commas. Use parentheses to set off nonessential material, such as dates, clarifying information, or sources, from a sentence.

Dashes are used to set off or emphasize the content enclosed within dashes or the content that follows a dash. Dashes place more emphasis on this content than parentheses.

Use a dash to set off an appositive phrase that already includes commas. An appositive is a word that adds explanatory or clarifying information to the noun that precedes it.

Quotation Marks

Use quotation marks to enclose direct quotations. Note that commas and periods are placed inside the closing quotation mark, and colons and semicolons are placed outside. The placement of question and exclamation marks depends on the situation.

Use quotation marks to indicate the novel, ironic, or reserved use of a word.

Use quotation marks around the titles of short poems, song titles, short stories, magazine or newspaper articles, essays, speeches, chapter titles, short films, and episodes of television or radio shows.

Do not use quotation marks in indirect or block quotations.

Underlining and italics are often used interchangeably. Before word-processing programs were widely available, writers would underline certain words to indicate to publishers to italicize whatever was underlined. Although the general trend has been moving toward italicizing instead of underlining, you should remain consistent with your choice throughout your paper. To be safe, you could check with your teacher to find out which he/she prefers. Italicize the titles of magazines, books, newspapers, academic journals, films, television shows, long poems, plays of three or more acts, operas, musical albums, works of art, websites, and individual trains, planes, or ships.

Italicize foreign words.

Italicize a word or phrase to add emphasis.

Italicize a word when referring to that word.

• Share full article

Last year, a jury considered whether Ed Sheeran had copied Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On.”

But the courtroom didn’t hear Gaye’s sensuously sung original recording:

Instead, the jury was played a bare, electronically recreated track with a robotic voice:

It brought up a curious question …

Supported by

What Is a Song?

Is it simply the music flowing out of your earphones? According to the law, the answer is a bit more complicated.

By Ben Sisario

Ben Sisario has been covering music and copyright for more than a decade, including trials involving Ed Sheeran, Led Zeppelin and the song “Blurred Lines.”

For most music fans, a song is a simple thing to define: It’s the melodies, the lyrics, the grooves that come out of your speakers.

It’s a much thornier question when it comes to copyright law, one that has been tested in a series of high-profile lawsuits over the last decade, involving stars like Ed Sheeran, Led Zeppelin, Pharrell and Robin Thicke. Is songwriting defined by what you hear on a recording, or the notes inked long ago on a piece of sheet music? Where does a composer’s work end, and a performing artist’s begin?

In other words, what, exactly, is a song, in the eyes of the law?

In many music copyright disputes, one of the main issues is originality, or how the law sets a boundary between creative expression that is the property of a single artist versus material in the public domain. Last year, a federal jury in New York heard hours of expert testimony about whether a syncopated four-chord sequence in Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” was distinctive enough that Sheeran’s song “Thinking Out Loud” infringed on it — or whether, as Sheeran’s lawyers contended, those parts are generic “building blocks” that no musician can own. The jury ruled in Sheeran’s favor , finding that he and a co-writer had created their song independently and not copied from Gaye’s 1973 classic.

But a key question running through that trial was about something even more fundamental: whether the core of “Let’s Get It On” — and what is protected by its copyright — is determined by the sounds we hear on its original recording, or the notes written on yellowing sheet music stored at the Library of Congress.

That issue was at the center of an appeals court’s decision four years ago regarding Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” and it is being considered in another appeal related to Sheeran and “Let’s Get It On.” Many experts believe it’s an underexplored question that gets to the heart of how copyright law intersects with music.

“This is the deep, existential, metaphysical question at the center of music copyright: We don’t even know what it is,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a law professor at Duke.

It is also an important question for an industry that in recent years has poured billions of dollars into deals for song catalogs, partly on the faith that their underlying copyrights offer robust protection against infringement. That may be challenging for older songs, because of a quirk in the law that can restrict how a song is defined and, therefore, just what its author owns.

How does a song get copyright protection?

There is a key date related to this issue: Jan. 1, 1978, when the last major revision of United States copyright law took effect.

Since then, songwriters have been able to register a composition with the Copyright Office by submitting a recording; all the melodies, chords and lyrics on it are considered evidence of their work. But earlier songs were subject to the Copyright Act of 1909, which required that songwriters submit transcribed sheet music, known as deposit copies.

For a century, these deposit copies were little more than receipts in a copyright paper trail. But since the “Blurred Lines” case a decade ago, when Pharrell and Thicke were found to have copied Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” and ordered to pay more than $5 million in damages, these once-obscure documents have taken on a greater significance.

The judge in that case ruled that, under the 1909 law, the deposit copy for “Got to Give It Up” (1977) determined the “scope” of that song’s copyright. In other words, only the notes on its paper submission counted as representing Gaye’s songwriting creation, and any other elements that were on the song’s recording but not the deposit copy — like percussion and studio atmospherics — were not part of the underlying composition. (A separate copyright applies to the recording.) The jury, instructed to consider only what was on Gaye’s deposit copy, found that “Blurred Lines” had copied from it.

These deposit copies can be minimal, sometimes featuring just a vocal melody and indications of chords. The one for “Taurus,” a 1967 piece by the psychedelic rock band Spirit, which Led Zeppelin was accused of copying on “Stairway to Heaven,” is a single-page sketch of barely 100 notes, and a lawyer representing Michael Skidmore, a trustee of the trust that owns rights to “Taurus,” argued that it was not even an accurate transcription.

The deposit copy for “Let’s Get It On” is five pages but omits elements like piano, drums and guitar — including the wah-wah opening guitar lick that has been a Pavlovian call to the dance floor at many a wedding — that are part of the signature sound of Gaye’s original track.

The judge overseeing Sheeran’s trial, citing an appeals court’s detailed decision in the Led Zeppelin case, ruled that the absence of those elements from the “Let’s Get It On” deposit copy meant that lawyers for the plaintiffs — family members of Ed Townsend, Gaye’s co-writer and producer — had to restrict their arguments to the vocal melody and the chord pattern. That restriction likewise applied to Alexander Stewart, a music professor at the University of Vermont, who testified as an expert witness for the plaintiffs.

“Every time I opened my mouth and said the word ‘bass line,’ I was cut off,” Stewart said in an interview. “It was hard to make any cogent argument.”

Following a ruling by the judge, Gaye’s recording was never played for jurors. Instead, they heard an electronic realization of the deposit copy, submitted by the defense. It included bare piano chords and a robotic-sounding vocal — an oddly cold interpretation of one of pop music’s supreme erotic anthems. As the track played, quizzical expressions came over a few jurors’ faces.

Some scholars say the legal distinction between a composition in a deposit copy and what appears in a finished recording is a sign that the law has not kept up with how pop music has been made for decades. Very often, songs are created in the recording studio, and the line between composing, producing and performing can be fuzzy.

“It is completely divorced from actual music-making practice,” said Joseph P. Fishman, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School.

Jenkins, of Duke, said these cases point to one of the basic complexities of applying copyright — a concept originally made for books and other written material — to music.

“Music is first and foremost an auditory art form, but for most of copyright’s history it’s been defined as something you see,” Jenkins said. “There’s this disconnect, where the signifier — that written thing — is what a composer owns, but the signified is what the song actually is. It’s what we’re listening to.”

Is a whole song on the sheet music?

Exactly why deposit copies have gone from obscure legal formalities to hot topics in some of the biggest music lawsuits of the last decade is unclear. One theory is that historically, most accusations of infringement have involved the most prominent elements of a song, like the hook, vocal melody or lyrics — things that even the plainest sheet music would highlight.

But as pop music has evolved, and techniques like sampling have become standard, it has also become more common for background elements and secondary parts to be in dispute. Many recent cases, like those over “Blurred Lines” and Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse,” have focused on these aspects. (To some observers, the “Blurred Lines” verdict seemed to give the Gaye estate control over a loose rhythmic groove , though lawyers argued that it involved specific notes on a deposit copy.)

David Pullman, an investor whose company Structured Asset Sales is bringing the Sheeran appeal — he is best known for creating “Bowie bonds,” backed by David Bowie’s music royalties, in the 1990s — said he believes that many current artists borrow too much from popular old songs. “It’s easier to take a shortcut and infringe,” Pullman said in an interview, “than write a song that’s original.”

The history of the Sheeran case, now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, is complex. Structured Asset Sales, which owns an 11.11 percent interest in “Let’s Get It On,” filed its own suit over “Thinking Out Loud” after a judge blocked the company from joining the Townsend family’s original action.

Structured Asset Sales’ suit was dismissed by a district court judge shortly after Sheeran won at trial last year. In its appeal, the company argues that a deposit copy does not necessarily define the scope of a song’s copyright under the 1909 law, and that the material on the sheet music only needs to be sufficient to identify it, despite the law’s reference to a “complete” copy. In court papers, Hillel I. Parness, a lawyer for the company, argued that expert witnesses should be able to interpret deposit copies for the jury, as happened at a trial involving the singer Michael Bolton in 1994.

Sheeran’s lawyers argue that the deposit copy rule is clear from the law, and is supported by longstanding guidance from the Copyright Office. At oral arguments last month, Donald S. Zakarin, a lawyer for Sheeran, also warned that straying from a deposit copy’s notation could lead to problems of “subjectivity” when defining a musical work that is in dispute.

“Future authors,” Zakarin said, “are going to be subjected to, ‘No, no, no, I intended to have that bass line. I know it’s not there, but I intended it.’”

In an informal survey of about a dozen intellectual-property experts, most said Sheeran’s side had the stronger argument about deposit copies under the 1909 law. “It’s a lousy rule,” said Fishman. “But that does seem to have been the rule at the time.”

But this rule, as set down in the Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin appeal, has at least one prominent skeptic in Paul Goldstein, a professor at Stanford Law School who is the author of a widely cited copyright treatise.

“Where I disagree with Skidmore,” Goldstein wrote in an email, “is in its assertion that the fact the copyright was secured by deposit of a copy of the musical work implies that the deposit copy defines the scope of copyright in the work to the exclusion of any other relevant evidence.” That evidence, he said, could include things like drafts and correspondence around a song’s creation.

Goldstein pointed to another possible source of evidence: sound recordings submitted to the Copyright Office as a supplemental registration. Under that theory, a songwriter with a deficient deposit copy of an old song could, since 1978, submit a recording of it to cover any additional elements — bass lines or guitar solos, for example — absent from the original registration.

This workaround was suggested by the Copyright Office and the Justice Department in an amicus brief filed in the Led Zeppelin appeal. It was apparently little known at the time, though Structured Asset Sales’ court papers note that in 1988, the music publisher for the Rolling Stones’ song “Sympathy for the Devil” submitted that track’s 1968 studio recording to cover a new “arrangement.”

Pullman, of Structured Asset Sales, said that discussion of this workaround during the Led Zeppelin appeal led him to submit the recording of “Let’s Get It On” as a new registration in 2020, to cover any compositional elements not on the deposit copy — which could be more ammunition in a dispute against Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”

Could it work? So far that issue has not been tested by the courts.

Credits: Rob Verhorst/Redferns, via Getty Images (Marvin Gaye photograph); Let’s Get It On: written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend; Taurus: written by Randy Wolfe, a.k.a. Randy California (music sheets)

Produced by Alicia DeSantis , Sean Catangui , Jolie Ruben , Josephine Sedgwick and Tala Safie .

Ben Sisario covers the music industry. He has been writing for The Times since 1998. More about Ben Sisario

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Sansara/Manchester Collective review – an exquisitely colourful tribute to Rothko Chapel

Queen Elizabeth Hall, London Morton Feldman’s 1971 work and three responses to it made for a fascinating concert

Morton Feldman’s Rothko Chapel was composed in 1971 to be performed in a very singular place, the multi-faith chapel in Houston, Texas, built by Dominique and John de Menil to house 14 of Mark Rothko’s darkest, bleakest canvases. Scored for solo viola, chorus, celesta and percussion, it has become one of Feldman’s most widely performed works, and it provided the starting point for the latest of the Manchester Collective’s programmes, for which the group was joined by the chamber choir Sansara.

The popularity of Rothko Chapel in comparison with Feldman’s other works of the 1970s and 80s is partly thanks to its manageable dimensions. At around half an hour long it is considerably shorter than most of his late masterpieces – but it’s also more approachable, more structurally straightforward and explicitly tonal than much of his music. The achingly beautiful melody that the solo viola discovers in the final moments provides the resolution the whole work has been seeking. In this exquisitely moulded performance, Ruth Gibson’s unaffectedly eloquent viola playing made it seem both conclusion and consolation.

Three works commissioned as responses to Rothko Chapel were included in the sequence that the 12 voices of Sansara performed with the collective before the Feldman. In fact, Isobel Waller-Bridge’s No 9 referenced not the chapel paintings but a different Rothko, White and Black on Wine, with its insistent string phrases overlaid on the mostly wordless chorus. In Songs and Interludes, meanwhile, Katherine Balch found a connection between Rothko and Feldman and her own music in Virginia Woolf, abstracting phrases from Woolf’s essay A Room of One’s Own as a text, and punctuating her choral setting with percussion. Edmund Finnis’s Blue Divided By Blue also had an assembled text, using only words found in the titles of Rothko’s paintings. Finnis describes it as “a lament, written in remembrance of absent friends”; the viola leads the string quartet in mourning, until the choir is eventually reduced to wordlessness, and only the sound of bells is left.

• Classical music
• Mark Rothko

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