The Italic Inquisition: A Guide to Chicago Style
So, you're knee-deep in a research paper and suddenly, the question hits you like a ton of bricks: What do I italicize in this darn Chicago style? Fear not, intrepid writer! You're not alone in this labyrinth of linguistic rules. Let's unravel this mystery together, shall we?
Big Things, Big Titles, Big Italics
The general rule of thumb in Chicago style is that big things get big treatment. What does that mean, you ask? Well, imagine a book as a majestic oak tree. It stands alone, proud and mighty. So, the title of that book, like the name of the oak, gets the italic treatment. Same goes for newspapers, magazines, and other standalone publications.
But wait, there's more! Films, TV shows, and plays also fall under the big things category. So, The Godfather, Friends, and Hamlet all deserve their moment in the italic spotlight.
Small Fry Get Quotes
Now, let's talk about the small fry. Think of them as the adorable acorns of our literary oak. These are things like articles, short stories, poems, and song titles. While they're important, they're part of a larger whole. So, they get cozy in quotation marks. For example, "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.
Quick tip: If you're unsure whether something is big or small, think about whether it can stand alone. If it can, it probably deserves italics. If it's part of something bigger, it's probably a quote.
Foreign Words and Emphasis, Oh My!
Chicago style has a few other quirks when it comes to italics. For instance, foreign words and phrases often get italicized, unless they're super common (like café or soirée). And if you really want to emphasize a word or phrase, you can throw it into italics for dramatic effect. Just don't go overboard, or it'll lose its impact.
The Italic Exception
There's one more thing to keep in mind: consistency is key. Once you've chosen a style (italics or quotes), stick with it throughout your paper. Mixing and matching can be confusing for your readers, and let's face it, no one wants to be confused when they're trying to enjoy your brilliant writing.
So, there you have it! With a little practice, you'll be italicizing like a pro. Remember, the Chicago Manual of Style is your ultimate guide, but this little cheat sheet should help you navigate the italic waters for now.
How-To Italicize FAQs
- How to italicize a book title: Simply put the entire title in italics.
- How to italicize a movie title: Same as a book title: put the entire title in italics.
- How to italicize a journal article title: This one's tricky! The journal title itself goes in italics, but the article title goes in quotation marks.
- How to italicize a foreign word: Italicize it unless it's super common.
- How to italicize for emphasis: Use italics sparingly for emphasis, and make sure it's actually needed.