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When writing about movies, do you put quotes around the movie titles? It can be confusing, but the answer is actually quite simple.
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Introduction
It is common to put movie titles in quotes when you are writing about them for movies, books, articles, and other forms of media; however, you don’t necessarily have to. In general, putting the titles of movies in quotes is a matter of style, and you can generally follow the style of the publication you are writing for.
What are movie titles?
Movie titles are the names of films, typically shown on posters and billboards before the release of the film. The title is usually chosen by the director or producer, and is intended to give the audience an indication of what the film is about. Sometimes the title is a play on words, or an allusion to another work of art.
Why do people put quotes around movie titles?
There are a few reasons why people put quotes around movie titles. One reason is to indicate that the movie is being referred to as a work of art, rather than simply a piece of entertainment. This is often the case when people are discussing a movie in an academic setting.
Another reason for putting quotes around a movie title is to indicate that the title is not being used literally. For instance, if someone were to say “I’m going to see ‘The Omen’ tonight,” they would not be implying that they are going to see a film about the Biblical figure of Satan’s son. Instead, they would be indicating that they are going to see a film about a child who may or may not be the Antichrist.
Finally, some people simply prefer to put quotes around movie titles because it makes them look more aesthetically pleasing. This is particularly common when the titles of movies are used in printed materials, such as magazines or newspapers.
How do you format movie titles?
Formatting movie titles can be tricky. In general, you should italicize the title of a movie when you refer to it in writing. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
If you are referring to the movie by its title alone, you should italicize it. For example: “I’m going to see The Godfather tonight.”
If you are referring to the movie as part of a larger work (such as a book or an article), you should not italicize it. For example: “In his new book, Film Criticism 101, John Smith argues that The Godfather is one of the greatest movies ever made.”
If you are writing an informal piece (such as a blog post), you can choose whether or not to italicize the title. In general, it is still considered better style to italicize movie titles.
What about other types of titles?
Other than movie titles, you don’t need to put quotes around other types of titles. For example, you wouldn’t put quotes around the title of a book, a song, or an article.
Conclusion
After doing some research, it seems that the consensus is that you do not need to put quotes around movie titles. However, if you are writing for a specific publication or style guide, it is always best to check with them to see if they have any specific guidelines.
Further Reading
If you’re writing for a publication that follows Associated Press style, movie titles should be enclosed in quotation marks. For example: “The ‘Godfather’ movies are considered classics.”
If you’re writing for a publication that follows Chicago Manual of Style, movie titles should be in italics. For example: The Godfather movies are considered classics.
If you’re unsure of which style to follow, ask your editor or supervisor.
Works Cited
When creating a Works Cited list for a movie, you do not need to put the movie title in quotes. However, you should italicize the title.
About the Author
I’m a professional writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. I’ve written on a variety of topics, but my favorite subjects are movies, TV, and pop culture. I’m also a lifelong film fan and have been known to quote entire movie scripts at inopportune moments.
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