As an expert in the field of writing and editing, I've spent considerable time navigating the intricacies of various style guides, which are essential tools for ensuring consistency and clarity in written works. One of the common questions that arise in discussions about writing is whether to underline the title of an article. This practice, while once prevalent, has largely fallen out of favor in recent years due to the evolution of digital publishing and the standardization of formatting conventions.

The Chicago Manual of Style, one of the most widely used style guides, provides clear guidance on this matter. According to the Chicago Manual of Style, when titles are mentioned in the text or listed in a bibliography, the approach to formatting them varies based on the type of work they represent. For books, journals, plays, and other standalone works, the titles are italicized. This is done to distinguish them from the surrounding text and to clearly indicate that they are titles of works. On the other hand, titles of articles, chapters, and other shorter works are set in roman type and enclosed in quotation marks. This distinction helps readers quickly identify the level of the work being referenced.

The rationale behind these conventions is to provide a visual cue that helps readers navigate the text and understand the hierarchy of works being cited. Italicizing book titles, for example, signals to the reader that the work is a significant standalone piece, while using quotation marks for articles suggests that they are part of a larger work, such as a journal or a collection of essays.

It's also worth noting that the use of underlining has traditionally been a way to mimic the italicizing effect in typed documents where italics were not available. However, with the widespread availability of digital typesetting and word processing software, underlining is no longer necessary and is generally considered outdated. Instead, relying on the appropriate use of italics and quotation marks as per the style guide being followed is the recommended practice.

In summary, while the practice of underlining article titles may have been used in the past, it is no longer recommended in contemporary writing. Adhering to the guidelines set forth by style manuals, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, ensures that your writing is consistent, professional, and easily understood by readers.

read more >>

However, here is what The Chicago Manual of Style says: When quoted in text or listed in a bibliography, titles of books, journals, plays, and other freestanding works are italicized; titles of articles, chapters, and other shorter works are set in roman and enclosed in quotation marks.read more >>