Capitalization of Titles in MLA Style

In academic writing, it is important to adhere to specific style guidelines to ensure consistency and clarity in your work. When it comes to capitalizing titles in MLA (Modern Language Association) style, there are specific rules to follow. This article will provide an overview of the capitalization rules for titles in MLA style, based on reputable sources such as Capitalize My Title, Midland College’s MLA Style Guide, and Scribbr’s Frequently Asked Questions.

Title Case Capitalization

MLA style generally follows title case capitalization for titles of works such as books, articles, essays, and poems. In title case, you capitalize the first and last words of the title, as well as all important words in between. Important words include adjectives, adverbs, nouns, pronouns, subordinating conjunctions (when fewer than 5 letters), and verbs (Capitalize My Title).

For example:

• “The Great Gatsby”
• “An Analysis of Modern Poetry”

Words Not Capitalized in Title Case

In title case, certain words are not capitalized unless they are the first or last word of the title. These include articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for), short words (fewer than 4 letters), and prepositions (at, by, to, etc.) (Capitalize My Title).

For example:

• “To Kill a Mockingbird”
• “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

Sentence Case Capitalization

MLA style also allows for sentence case capitalization. In sentence case, you only capitalize the first word of the title, proper nouns, and any other words that would normally be capitalized (Midland College MLA Style Guide).

For example:

• “A farewell to arms”
• “In cold blood”

It is important to note that regardless of the original capitalization in the source title, MLA style requires following the title case or sentence case capitalization rules (Scribbr).

In conclusion, when adhering to MLA style, it is essential to understand the rules for capitalizing titles. Whether you use title case capitalization, where important words are capitalized, or sentence case capitalization, where only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized, consistency is key. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your titles are formatted correctly in accordance with MLA style.

Sources:

• Capitalize My Title. “MLA Style – Title Capitalization Tool – Capitalize My Title – Title Case Tool.” Retrieved from https://capitalizemytitle.com/style/MLA/
• Midland College. “Capitalization and Styling for Titles (MLA) – Subject Guides – Research Guides at Midland College.” Retrieved from https://midland.libguides.com/c.php?g=1280402&p=9399181
• Scribbr. “Are titles capitalized in MLA?” Retrieved from https://www.scribbr.com/frequently-asked-questions/titles-capitalized-mla/

Note: This article was written in an academic tone, with fewer transition words and passive voice, in line with the provided instructions.

FAQs

1. Should I capitalize titles in MLA style?

   Yes, in MLA style, titles of works such as books, articles, essays, and poems should be capitalized following specific rules.

2. What is title case capitalization in MLA style?

   Title case capitalization in MLA style means capitalizing the first and last words of a title, as well as all important words in between. Important words include adjectives, adverbs, nouns, pronouns, subordinating conjunctions (when fewer than 5 letters), and verbs.

3. Which words are not capitalized in title case in MLA style?

   In title case capitalization, certain words are not capitalized unless they are the first or last word of the title. These include articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for), short words (fewer than 4 letters), and prepositions (at, by, to, etc.).

4. Is there an alternative to title case capitalization in MLA style?

   Yes, MLA style also allows for sentence case capitalization. In sentence case, you only capitalize the first word of the title, proper nouns, and any other words that would normally be capitalized.

5. What if the original source title uses different capitalization?

   Regardless of the original capitalization in the source title, MLA style requires following the title case or sentence case capitalization rules. You should apply the appropriate capitalization style based on MLA guidelines.

6. Are subtitles capitalized in MLA style?

   In MLA style, subtitles follow the same capitalization rules as the main title. The first and last words of the subtitle, as well as all important words in between, should be capitalized in title case. In sentence case, only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized.

7. Do I need to capitalize conjunctions in MLA style?

   In title case capitalization, subordinating conjunctions with fewer than 5 letters should be capitalized. However, coordinating conjunctions (such as “and,” “but,” “for”) are not capitalized unless they are the first or last word of the title.

8. Should I capitalize prepositions in MLA style?

   In title case capitalization, prepositions should not be capitalized unless they are the first or last word of the title. It is important to refer to the specific rules for title case or sentence case capitalization in MLA style.