Knowing how to properly format a movie title in MLA style is crucial for academic writing. This guide will walk you through the correct way to cite movie titles in your MLA papers, ensuring your work adheres to the latest MLA guidelines. Incorrect formatting can detract from your credibility, so let's get it right!
Understanding MLA Formatting for Titles
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide dictates specific rules for formatting titles. The key difference between MLA formatting for titles of books and movies lies in italicization. While book titles are italicized, movie titles are enclosed in quotation marks. This distinction helps readers quickly identify the type of source being referenced.
Italicized vs. Quotation Marks: The Key Difference
Remember this simple rule:
- Books and other long works: Italicized
- Short works (like poems, articles, song titles, and movies): "Quotation Marks"
This seemingly small detail is essential for accurate MLA citation.
How to Cite a Movie in MLA: Examples
Let's look at some examples to solidify your understanding:
Example 1: In-text citation:
The groundbreaking cinematography of "Citizen Kane" continues to influence filmmakers today. (Orson Welles, 1941).
Notice the quotation marks around the movie title and the inclusion of the director's name and year of release in the parenthetical citation. This allows for easy identification of the source.
Example 2: Works Cited entry:
Welles, Orson, dir. Citizen Kane. RKO Radio Pictures, 1941.
In your "Works Cited" page, you would use italics for the film's title. You'll include the director's name, the title, the production company, and the year.
Example 3: A movie with a subtitle:
Let's say you're citing "Toy Story 3: The Great Escape". The correct MLA format would be:
"Toy Story 3: The Great Escape". Pixar Animation Studios, 2010.
Example 4: Streaming Services:
When citing a movie viewed on a streaming service, you can include the platform in your Works Cited entry. However, it’s not strictly necessary. You could write:
Lee, Ang, dir. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Sony Pictures Classics, 2000. Netflix, [Date Accessed].
The date accessed is optional for films but good practice if using streaming sources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting the quotation marks: This is the most frequent error. Always remember to enclose movie titles in quotation marks within the text of your paper.
- Italicizing the movie title: Avoid italicizing; this is for books, not films.
- Inconsistent capitalization: Maintain consistency in capitalization throughout the title.
- Omitting crucial information: Your Works Cited entry should include the director's name, the studio (if known), and the year of release. Adding details like the streaming platform (e.g. Netflix) is beneficial but not mandatory.
Mastering MLA Movie Citations
By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately cite movie titles in your MLA-formatted papers. Remember the key difference between books and movies (italics vs. quotation marks) and always double-check your work to ensure accuracy. Mastering this aspect of MLA formatting enhances the professionalism and credibility of your academic writing. Proper citation is a sign of a meticulous and responsible scholar.
