Arts >> Books >> Books Other

Book Title Punctuation Rules

When putting a book title in the text of a work, there are several different styles for punctuating. However, most agree on underlining the title. When writing a book title, one generally capitalizes important or longer words, but when writing another's title, simply capitalize it the way the author does.
  1. Capitalization and Punctuation of Book Titles

    • When referencing the title of another's book in your own work, use the same capitalization and punctuation the author does. If there is a subtitle on the book, separate the title from the subtitle with a colon.

    Writing Your Own Book Titles

    • If you are creating your own book, you have creative license to write your title as you desire. As a general rule, capitalize the first word and other long or important words. These are usually all words that are not conjunctions or short prepositions.

    Citation Styles: In-Text

    • The most common styles for citing sources within research papers or other contexts are Chicago, APA and MLA. All of these styles agree that book titles should be underlined within the text of a work that is referencing them. However, it is also acceptable, and often more common, to italicize the title of a work rather than underline it.

    Citation Styles: Bibliographies and Works Cited

    • Chicago, APA and MLA styles all have standards for bibliographies or works cited pages. For all, book titles should be italicized.

Books Other

Related Categories