title formats nec facet center. rule # 1: capitalization in a title, capitalize the first word, last...
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Title Formats
NEC FACET Center
Rule # 1: Capitalization
In a title, capitalize the first word, last word, and all of the important words in between.
EXAMPLES: The Great Gatsby
Where the Red Fern Grows Approaching Literature in the 21st Century
In other words,
will not be capitalized unless 1. they appear as the first word in
a title2. they appear after a colon
Example:
The Grapes of Wrath
“A Christmas Wish”
Rhetorical Reader: A Visual Approach
Writing Essentials: An MLA Handbook
Also,
and but or nor for yet so
words
Conjunctionsare
“non-important”
(They should not be capitalized unless they appear after a colon.)
More “non-important words”
to, from of by at in, out with on, off
Do not capitalize prepositions
Rule # 2: Proper Format
(Different titles use different formats.)
Italicize these titles. . .
Book titles Newspaper titles
Magazine titles
Film titles
AND italicize these titles too . . .
TV programtitles
Play titles
Titles of musical worksTitles of software
ExamplesBook: Joy in the Morning
Newspaper: The New York Times
Magazine: ESPN
Film: Pride and Prejudice
T.V. Program: CSI
Play: The Taming of the Shrew
Software: Reading Comprehension
Long Musical Work: Eroica
Use quotations with these titles. . .
Poem titles Short story titles
Essay titlesSong titles
Article titles
Examples
Poem: “I’m Nobody! Who are You?”
Short Story: “Two Kinds”
Essay: “West Coast Discourse”
Article: “Religious Themes in Hawthorne’s Works”
Song: “Amazing Grace”
Side note. . .
When using another source’s title, always copy it word for word.
Example:
Source’s title: “To My Dear and Loving Husband”
“To My Loving Husband”
“To My Dear Husband”
“My Dear, Loving Husband”
These are not accurate!
Word to the Wise
Do not put the title of your own essay in quotations
Maria SmithButlerEng 11135 May 2006
“Immorality in America”
This is wrong
This is correct. . .
Maria SmithButlerEng 11135 May 2006
Immorality in America
Unless . . .
within your title, you are giving another author’s title.
Maria SmithButlerEng 11135 May 2006
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” title within a title
How to develop your own essay title
Be creative and to the point
The purpose of your essay isto show how cloning is unethical.
These titles are bland. . .
“Cloning”“Ethics of Cloning”
“Morals and Cloning”
These titles are enticing. . .
“Cloning: A Pandora’s Box”
“Eggs and Stem Cells: The Unethical Frontier”
Summary of Rules
Capitalize the first word and all other major words.
Either use italicizing or quotations with a title depending upon the source.
Do not use underlining or quotation marks for your own titles.
If citing another source within your own title, use either italicizing or quotations depending upon that source.
In other words,
Titles introduce an author’s work. . .
handle with care.