Writing about movies in academic essays requires adhering to specific formatting guidelines, and the American Psychological Association (APA) style provides a clear framework. The fundamental rule is this: movie titles are italicized in APA style. Understanding and consistently applying this rule, along with related nuances, ensures clarity and credibility in your scholarly writing. This article provides a comprehensive guide, supplemented with frequently asked questions, to master the art of citing movie titles in your APA essays.
The Cornerstone: Italicizing Movie Titles
The most crucial aspect of writing movie titles in APA is italicization. This applies regardless of the length or genre of the film. It serves as a visual cue to the reader, immediately identifying the cited material as a movie. Forget quotation marks; those are reserved for shorter works like articles or chapters. The italicization signals the reader that you are referring to a complete cinematic work.
Consider these examples:
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Incorrect: “The Shawshank Redemption”
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Correct: The Shawshank Redemption
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Incorrect: The Godfather
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Correct: The Godfather
This simple rule forms the bedrock of proper movie title citation in APA.
Beyond the Basics: Nuances and Specific Cases
While italicization is the primary rule, there are specific scenarios that require further consideration.
Foreign Film Titles
Foreign film titles, even when discussed in their original language, are also italicized. If you include an English translation alongside the original title, present the original title first, italicized, followed by the translation in square brackets.
- Example: Amélie [The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain]
Films Within Films
If you are discussing a film within another film, the internal film’s title is still italicized. The surrounding context should make it clear that you are referring to a film within a film.
- Example: The documentary explored the making of Singin’ in the Rain, a classic film frequently referenced in other media.
Series Titles vs. Episode Titles
For movie series (like Harry Potter or Star Wars), the overall series title is italicized. However, when referring to a specific episode within a series, the episode title is not italicized, but rather enclosed in quotation marks.
- Example: Many fans consider Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back the best film in the Star Wars saga.
- Example: “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), the second installment in the Star Wars film series, introduced the iconic character Yoda. (Note: the date follows the episode title in parentheses)
When to Include the Year
Including the year of the film’s release is generally recommended, especially when discussing multiple films with similar titles or when the year is crucial for contextual understanding. Place the year in parentheses directly after the title.
- Example: Psycho (1960) is a landmark film in the horror genre.
Citing Scenes and Elements
When referring to specific scenes, characters, or other elements within a film, you do not italicize them.
- Example: The famous shower scene in Psycho (1960) is widely considered a cinematic masterpiece.
- Example: Darth Vader’s iconic presence is a defining characteristic of the Star Wars film series.
Academic Databases
When citing a film retrieved from a database like Kanopy or Criterion Channel, follow the general APA format for audio-visual media. This involves providing the title, director, distributor, and date. The database name should be italicized if it’s a container.
FAQs: Your APA Movie Title Questions Answered
Here are frequently asked questions that address common challenges and specific scenarios encountered when citing movie titles in APA style.
FAQ 1: What if I’m citing a movie in a table?
The same rule applies: movie titles should be italicized in tables as well. Consistency is key throughout your document.
FAQ 2: Do I italicize words like “The” or “A” at the beginning of a movie title?
Yes, include the “The” or “A” as part of the italicized title. Do not treat them as separate entities.
FAQ 3: How do I cite a documentary film?
Documentary films are treated the same as fictional films. Italicize the title.
- Example: Man with a Movie Camera is a pioneering documentary film.
FAQ 4: What if I’m analyzing a film’s screenplay?
If you are analyzing the screenplay itself as a written work, treat it like a book and italicize the screenplay title.
FAQ 5: Should I italicize the director’s name when referring to the film?
No. Only the movie title is italicized.
- Example: Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) is a classic example of suspenseful filmmaking.
FAQ 6: What if I’m referring to a film genre?
Film genres are not italicized.
- Example: The horror genre has a rich history of groundbreaking films.
FAQ 7: How do I cite a film available on a streaming service like Netflix?
Include the streaming service in your reference entry after the distributor (production company). The title itself is italicized.
FAQ 8: Is it ever acceptable not to italicize a movie title in an APA essay?
Generally, no. The italicization is a core APA guideline. However, exceptions might arise in specific contexts where the instruction explicitly contradicts this rule, such as within a direct quotation where altering the original text would be inaccurate. In such rare cases, provide a brief explanation for the deviation.
FAQ 9: What if I’m citing a movie review?
You’re no longer citing the movie title, but rather the review title. Italicize the movie title within the review title itself, but follow the rules for the review title as well. If the review is published on a website or in a journal, the journal or website name would also be italicized.
FAQ 10: How do I format a movie title within a heading?
Headings in APA style generally follow title case (capitalizing the first letter of major words), but the movie title within the heading should still be italicized.
- Example: The Godfather: A Study of Power and Corruption
FAQ 11: What if I’m citing a short film?
Short films are treated the same as feature-length films. Italicize the title.
FAQ 12: Where can I find the official release year for a film?
Reliable sources for film release years include IMDb (Internet Movie Database), the film’s official website, and academic databases like the AFI Catalog (American Film Institute Catalog). Always cross-reference information from multiple sources to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of APA Movie Title Citation
By adhering to the principles outlined above – primarily, the italicization of movie titles – you can confidently and accurately cite films in your APA essays. Remember to consider the nuances, such as episode titles, foreign films, and the inclusion of release years. By consulting this guide and reviewing the FAQs, you are well-equipped to navigate the cinematic landscape within the constraints of APA style, enhancing the credibility and clarity of your academic writing.