How To Write A Movie Title In An Essay MLA: A Comprehensive Guide

Writing about film in an MLA-formatted essay can feel daunting at first. The specific rules for formatting movie titles, especially when they appear within your text, are crucial for academic integrity. This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring your essays are not only insightful but also meticulously formatted, helping you achieve a high grade.

Understanding MLA Formatting Fundamentals for Film Titles

Before diving into the specifics of movie titles, let’s quickly refresh the core principles of MLA formatting. Proper MLA formatting involves aspects like using a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point font), double-spacing throughout the essay, and including a header with your last name and page number. This groundwork is essential before you even think about how to format the movie title.

Italicization: The Cornerstone of Movie Title Formatting

The primary rule for formatting movie titles in MLA is italicization. This means that the title of a film, whether it’s a feature film, a documentary, or a short film, should always be italicized within the body of your essay. For example, you would write Citizen Kane instead of “Citizen Kane” or Citizen Kane. This differentiates the title from surrounding text, signifying it as a work of art.

Formatting Movie Titles Within Your Essay Body

The way you integrate a movie title into your essay is just as important as the formatting itself. Consider these points:

• Introduce the Title: Always introduce the film’s title the first time you mention it. This might involve stating, “In the film The Godfather…” or “Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather explores…”
• Consistency is Key: Once you’ve introduced the title, consistently italicize it throughout the rest of your essay.
• Titles Within Titles: If a movie title appears within another quoted work (e.g., a character in the film Inception references another film), maintain the italicization, even within the quote. For instance, “The character mentions his favorite film, The Matrix.”

Handling Shorter Works: Episodes and Parts of a Movie

While feature films are italicized, MLA formatting also distinguishes between longer and shorter works. The rules are different for episodes of TV shows, individual parts of a movie series, and short films.

• Episodes of TV Shows: Episode titles are placed in “quotation marks.” For example, “The episode ‘Pilot’ sets the tone for the entire series.”
• Parts of a Movie Series: If you’re referring to a specific part of a larger film series, like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, you will italicize the entire title.
• Short Films: Treat short films like feature films and italicize their titles.

The Importance of the Works Cited Page: A Detailed Guide

The Works Cited page is where you provide complete bibliographic information for every source you’ve used in your essay. Formatting movie entries on your Works Cited page is crucial for giving credit where it’s due and allowing readers to find the films you reference.

• Basic Format: The standard format for a movie entry includes the title (italicized), the director’s name, the distributor, and the year of release.
• Example: Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles, RKO Radio Pictures, 1941.
• Additional Information: You can add details like the lead actors, the production company, and the runtime if needed.

Citing Specific Scenes or Moments from a Movie

When you want to reference a specific scene or moment from a film, you can use in-text citations. This helps your reader locate the precise section you’re discussing.

• Time Codes: Using time codes can be incredibly helpful. For example: “In the opening scene (00:02:30-00:05:00), the protagonist…”
• Descriptive Language: If you don’t have access to the time code, use descriptive language that clearly identifies the scene. For example: “During the climactic shootout…”

Avoiding Common Mistakes in Movie Title Formatting

Several common errors can detract from your essay’s professionalism. Avoiding these mistakes is essential.

• Incorrect Italicization: The most frequent error is failing to italicize movie titles consistently.
• Missing Works Cited Entries: Always include every film title you mention in your Works Cited page.
• Inconsistent Style: Stick to MLA formatting guidelines throughout your entire essay.

Advanced Tips: Incorporating Film Theory and Criticism

Taking your essay beyond basic formatting involves engaging with film theory and criticism. This elevates your analysis and demonstrates a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

• Use Film Theory: Integrate film theory (e.g., feminist film theory, psychoanalytic film theory) to analyze the film through a specific lens.
• Cite Critical Sources: Include citations of film reviews, scholarly articles, and books about the film to support your arguments.
• Engage in Critical Analysis: Don’t just summarize the plot; analyze the film’s themes, characters, and techniques.

How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay MLA: Practical Examples

Let’s look at a few practical examples to solidify your understanding.

• Example 1: “The film Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino, revolutionized independent cinema.”
• Example 2: “In Blade Runner, the themes of identity and humanity are explored through visually stunning cinematography.”
• Example 3: “The episode ‘Ozymandias’ from Breaking Bad is considered one of the most impactful episodes of television.”

FAQ: Addressing Common Concerns

Here are some frequently asked questions about MLA formatting for movie titles:

What if a movie title contains another title?

If a movie title contains another title, both should be italicized. For example, if you’re discussing a fictional film within a movie, the nested title should also be italicized.

Should I italicize the title of a movie trailer?

Yes, movie trailers should also be italicized. Since they are considered a shorter work, they are treated the same as a movie.

Do I need to italicize the title if it’s in a foreign language?

Yes, you should still italicize the title of a movie, even if it’s in a foreign language. The formatting rules remain consistent regardless of the language.

How do I cite a movie that I watched on a streaming service?

When citing a movie from a streaming service, include the title, director, distributor, and year. You can also add the name of the streaming service as the publisher. For example: Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Neon, 2019. Hulu.

What if I am writing about a documentary series?

You should italicize the name of the documentary series. If you are referring to an episode from the series, place the episode name in quotation marks.

Conclusion: Mastering MLA Formatting for Film Titles

Successfully writing about movies in an MLA essay requires a solid grasp of formatting rules. By understanding how to italicize titles, create accurate Works Cited entries, and engage in insightful analysis, you can produce essays that are both academically sound and compelling. Remember to be consistent in your formatting, and always double-check your work for errors. With these tips, you’re now well-equipped to write about film with confidence and precision.