As an expert in the field of English literature and language conventions, I can provide you with a comprehensive answer regarding the formatting of poems and their titles in written works.
Poetry has a long and rich tradition in English literature, and the way it is presented in writing can vary depending on the context and the specific style guide being followed. However, there are some general rules that are commonly accepted when it comes to underlining or italicizing poems and their titles.
Step 1: English Answer
When it comes to the presentation of poetry in written form, the main consideration is the distinction between the poem itself and its title. Here are the general guidelines:


1. Poems: The text of the poem is typically presented as a block of text, with each line separated by a line break. There is no need to underline or italicize the entire poem. Instead, the poem is often indented from the left margin to distinguish it from the surrounding text.


2. Poem Titles: The title of a poem is usually treated as any other title within the text. According to the guidelines provided in the American Psychological Association (APA) style, which is widely used in academia, titles of individual short stories, poems, and articles are placed in quotation marks. This is to differentiate them from the titles of books, which are italicized. For example, if you are referring to a poem within a larger work, you would write: "The Road Not Taken" is a poem by Robert Frost.


3. Collections of Poetry: When referring to a collection of poems, such as a book of poetry, the title of the collection is italicized. For instance, Maya Angelou's collection, *I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings*, contains many individual poems, each with its own title that would be in quotation marks if referred to within the text.


4. Poetry in Academic Writing: In academic papers, when citing poetry, you would follow the specific guidelines of the style guide required by your institution or publication. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style, for example, has different rules for citing poetry and other literary works.


5. Poetry in Manuscripts and Books: In published works, such as poetry books or literary journals, the presentation of poetry follows the publisher's house style. This can include specific fonts, spacing, and whether or not to use quotation marks or italics for titles.


6. Online and Digital Media: When poetry is presented online, the formatting can be more flexible and may include creative uses of italics, bold text, or underlining to enhance the visual appeal or to emphasize certain parts of the poem.

It's important to note that these are general guidelines and the specific rules can vary. Always consult the most recent edition of the style guide you are using or the specific requirements of the publication or assignment you are working on.

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What about poem titles? A: Titles of individual short stories and poems go in quotation marks. The titles of short story and poetry collections should be italicized. For example, --The Intruder,-- a short story by Andre Dubus appears in his collection, Dancing After Hours.Aug 2, 2012read more >>