In APA style, you write a movie title within the text of your paper by using italics. The title should be italicized regardless of the length, and capitalize only the first word, the first word after a colon or dash, and proper nouns. This seemingly simple rule is crucial for maintaining academic rigor and ensuring consistent formatting.
Understanding the Fundamentals of APA Movie Title Formatting
APA (American Psychological Association) style is a widely used citation and formatting style, particularly in the social sciences. Adhering to APA guidelines ensures clarity, consistency, and professionalism in academic writing. While citations are a major aspect, formatting elements like movie titles also play a crucial role. Misformatting can detract from the overall credibility of your work. This section breaks down the core components of accurately formatting movie titles within your text.
Italics are Key
The most fundamental rule is the use of italics. Any movie title mentioned in the body of your paper, introduction, or conclusion should be italicized. This distinguishes it from other elements in your writing. Think of italics as a signal to the reader that you are referring to a specific film.
Capitalization Rules
While italics designate the title, the capitalization rules ensure consistency. Following the standard APA capitalization convention:
- Capitalize the first word of the title.
- Capitalize the first word after a colon or dash, if present.
- Capitalize proper nouns (names of people, places, etc.).
For example, if your movie title is “The Shawshank Redemption,” you capitalize “The,” “Shawshank,” and “Redemption.” A movie title like “Star Wars: A New Hope” would have “Star,” “Wars,” “A,” “New,” and “Hope” capitalized.
Examples of Correct Formatting
Here are a few examples to illustrate the correct formatting:
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Incorrect: The Dark Knight
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Correct: The Dark Knight
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Incorrect: The Matrix Reloaded
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Correct: The Matrix Reloaded
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Incorrect: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
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Correct: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
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Incorrect: Gone with the Wind
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Correct: Gone with the Wind
Citing Movies in Your Reference List
While the body of your paper requires italicized titles, the reference list follows a slightly different format. Here, you are creating a full citation, not just mentioning the title.
Elements of a Movie Citation
A complete movie citation in APA style includes the following elements, in order:
- Director’s Last Name, Initial(s). (Director). (Year). Title of motion picture (Motion picture). Production Company.
- Note: If the director is unknown or unavailable, begin with the name of the primary writer.
Example of a Complete Citation
An example of a complete APA citation for a movie would be:
- Nolan, C. (Director). (2008). The Dark Knight (Motion picture). Warner Bros.
Understanding the Citation Components
- Director: Always list the director’s name, last name first, followed by their initials. Add “(Director)” after their name to clarify their role. If multiple directors are involved, you may need to consult more detailed APA guidelines.
- Year: The year in parentheses indicates the year the movie was released.
- Title of motion picture: This is the full, official title of the movie, in italics.
- Motion picture: Add “(Motion picture)” in parentheses after the title to specify the medium.
- Production Company: This refers to the main production company that released the film.
FAQs: Mastering the Nuances of Movie Title Formatting
This section addresses common questions and complexities related to formatting movie titles in APA style, offering practical guidance and clarifying potential areas of confusion.
FAQ 1: What if the movie title has a subtitle?
Answer: If the movie title includes a subtitle, capitalize the first word after the colon or dash that separates the title and subtitle, and italicize the entire title. For example: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
FAQ 2: Should I italicize the word “movie” when referring to films generally?
Answer: No, you should only italicize the specific title of a movie. When referring to “movies” in general, or using the word “film,” do not use italics. For example: “I enjoy watching movies.”
FAQ 3: What if I’m citing a streaming service as the source?
Answer: If you are citing a streaming service, include the service’s name after the production company in the citation. For example: Nolan, C. (Director). (2008). The Dark Knight (Motion picture). Warner Bros. Netflix.
FAQ 4: What if I’m citing a specific scene from a movie?
Answer: APA style does not typically require citing specific scenes. However, you can mention the scene descriptively within your text while still citing the entire movie in your reference list. Focus on the overall work unless the scene is a standalone excerpt used for analysis.
FAQ 5: How do I cite a movie review?
Answer: A movie review is cited differently. You would cite the author of the review, the publication it appeared in, and the date of publication, following APA guidelines for journal articles or website articles. The movie title mentioned within the review would still be italicized.
FAQ 6: What if the director is not known?
Answer: If the director is unknown, you can begin the citation with the name of the screenwriter or the main production company, depending on the availability of information. Indicate the role in parentheses, such as “(Writer)” or “(Producer).”
FAQ 7: Do I need to include the country of origin for the movie?
Answer: The APA style guide does not typically require including the country of origin. Focus on providing the core information: director, year, title, medium, and production company.
FAQ 8: How do I cite a documentary film?
Answer: Cite a documentary film in the same way you would cite a fictional film, using the director’s name, year of release, title of the film, and production company. For example: Burns, K. (Director). (1990). The Civil War (Motion picture). PBS.
FAQ 9: What if the movie title is in a foreign language?
Answer: Italicize the original title and provide an English translation in brackets if necessary for clarity. For example: Amélie [Amélie].
FAQ 10: Do I need to include the running time of the movie in the citation?
Answer: No, the running time is not a required element in APA movie citations.
FAQ 11: What if I’m discussing the movie in a table or figure caption?
Answer: The same rules apply. Italicize the movie title in tables and figure captions. Maintain consistency throughout your document.
FAQ 12: What edition of the APA Style Guide should I be using?
Answer: Always check with your instructor or the specific requirements of the journal or publication you are submitting to. As of the current date, the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual is the most current. Make sure your formatting adheres to the guidelines outlined in the specified edition. Following the correct edition is essential for maintaining credibility and avoiding formatting errors.