How to Reference Titles in MLA Style

What is the correct way to format titles of sources contained in larger works in MLA style?

a. bold

b. enclosed in quotation marks

c. italicized

d. underlined

Answer:

The correct way to format titles of sources contained in larger works in MLA style is enclosed in quotation marks and italicized.

When following MLA style, titles of sources like short stories or articles that are contained in larger works should be enclosed in quotation marks. This practice indicates that the specific piece you are referencing can function independently, yet it is also part of a larger text.

For instance, if you are referring to a short story that is included in an anthology, you would enclose the title of the short story in quotation marks. At the same time, the title of the larger work (the anthology) would be italicized to differentiate it from the title of the smaller piece.

Therefore, to ensure clarity and proper formatting in MLA style, utilize quotation marks for the titles of smaller works and italicize the titles of larger works that contain them.