As an expert in the field of English language usage and style, I can provide you with a detailed explanation regarding the formatting of author names and titles in written works.
When it comes to the presentation of an author's name in a written piece, whether it be an essay, article, or any other form of academic or professional writing, the general rule is that you do not italicize the author's name. This is because names are considered proper nouns, and they are typically presented in standard typeface to distinguish them from other text. Italicizing a name could potentially cause confusion or misinterpretation, as italics are often used to emphasize, denote titles, or indicate foreign words.
On the other hand, the title of a work is treated differently. When you are referring to the title of a book, it is customary to italicize it. This is because a book title is considered a separate entity from the text itself and is given a distinct visual representation to set it apart. For instance, if you were discussing "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, the title of the book would be italicized.
However, the rule changes slightly when you are dealing with shorter works such as short stories, poems, articles, or essays. In these cases, the title is usually enclosed in double quotation marks instead of being italicized. This is done to differentiate the title from the surrounding text and to indicate that it is a part of a larger work or collection. For example, if you were analyzing a short story by Alice Munro titled "Boys and Girls," you would put the title in quotes, like this: "Boys and Girls."
It is important to note that these rules are part of the broader guidelines provided by various style manuals, such as the Modern Language Association (MLA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Chicago Manual of Style. Each of these style guides has its own set of rules and recommendations for formatting and presenting written works, and they are often used in different academic and professional contexts. Adhering to the appropriate style guide is crucial for maintaining consistency and professionalism in your writing.
In summary, while you do not italicize an author's name, you do use italics for the titles of books and place titles of shorter works in quotation marks. This distinction helps maintain clarity and follows the conventions established by widely accepted style guides.

read more >>

No, you never italicize the name of the author, and you only italicize the title of the work if it is a book. If you are referring to a short story you put the title of the story in quotes. This is what you should do if your essay is about Alice Munro's story "Boys and Girls."read more >>