Hello there! As an expert in the field of writing and formatting academic essays, I'm here to help you with your question about the proper way to handle movie titles in your writing.

When it comes to formatting your academic papers, there are various styles that you might follow, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard, each with its own set of rules regarding the presentation of titles within the text. The guidelines for handling movie titles can vary depending on the citation style you are using. However, I'll provide you with a general understanding that can be applied across different styles.

Step 1: English Answer

**Italicizing Titles in Word-Processed Documents**

The first thing to consider is the medium in which you are writing. If you are typing your essay on a computer, the process of underlining is replaced by using italics. This is because word processors do not have an underline function that is distinct from the italics, and italics serve the same purpose as underlining when it comes to emphasizing titles.

**Titles of Complete Works vs. Parts Within a Complete Work**

The general rule of thumb is that you should italicize the titles of complete works. Complete works typically include books, plays, newspapers, magazines, movies, albums, and works of art. On the other hand, titles of parts within a complete work, such as chapters, articles, short stories, episodes, or songs, are usually placed within quotation marks.

For example, if you were discussing the movie "Citizen Kane," you would italicize the title because it is a complete work. But if you were discussing a specific scene within "Citizen Kane," you would put the name of the scene in quotation marks.

APA Style Example

In APA style, which is commonly used in the social sciences, you would italicize the title of a movie. Here's how you might reference it in your essay:

> The portrayal of leadership in "Citizen Kane" is a classic example of the rise and fall of a powerful figure.

Note that "Citizen Kane" is italicized, indicating that it is the title of a complete work.

MLA Style Example

In MLA style, which is often used in the humanities, the rule is similar. You would also italicize the title of a movie:

> The film *Citizen Kane* is renowned for its innovative narrative structure.

Again, "Citizen Kane" is italicized to denote that it is a complete work.

Chicago and Harvard Styles

The Chicago and Harvard styles also recommend italicizing movie titles. The specifics might vary slightly, such as whether to include additional information like the director's name, but the principle of italicizing the title remains the same.

Consistency

Regardless of the style you are following, the key is to be consistent throughout your paper. If you decide to italicize movie titles, make sure that you do so for all movie titles mentioned. If you choose to use quotation marks for parts within a work, apply this rule consistently as well.

Step 2: Divider

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Use italics in a word-processed document for the types of titles you'd underline if you were writing by hand. A general rule of thumb is that within the text of a paper, italicize the title of complete works but put quotation marks around titles of parts within a complete work.read more >>