should plays be underlined or italicized

Championisme authors

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23-11-2024

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To Underline or Italicize: The Curious Case of Play Titles

The question of whether to underline or italicize play titles has long been a source of confusion, even among seasoned writers and editors. While style guides offer clear directives, the historical evolution and practical application of these conventions warrant a deeper exploration. This article will delve into the intricacies of this stylistic debate, drawing upon established style guides and offering practical advice for writers.

The Modern Standard: Italics Reign Supreme

The dominant style guide today, the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), unequivocally recommends italicizing titles of plays. This is consistent with the style employed by the Associated Press Stylebook (AP) and MLA Handbook, cementing italics as the modern standard. This preference for italics likely stems from their ease of implementation in typed and digitally produced text, unlike underlining, which was more practical for handwritten documents.

The rationale behind italicizing titles, including plays, is to visually distinguish them from surrounding text. This aids readability and clarifies the nature of the cited work. For example, consider the difference in clarity between:

• "Shakespeare's Hamlet is a complex tragedy." (Clear, using italics)
• "Shakespeare's Hamlet is a complex tragedy." (Less clear, using underlining)

The italicized version clearly designates "Hamlet" as the title of a play, not just a mention of a character or concept.

A Glimpse into History: The Underlining Era

Before the widespread adoption of typewriters and word processors, underlining served as a visual equivalent of italics. It was a practical solution for differentiating titles in handwritten manuscripts and typed documents where italic fonts were unavailable or limited. Think of handwritten letters or early typewritten manuscripts – underlining was the only way to achieve the same visual effect as italics.

The Persistence of Underlining in Specific Contexts

While italics are the preferred method today, certain niche contexts might still warrant underlining. For example, some educators might still instruct students to underline play titles in handwritten assignments, primarily for maintaining consistency within a classroom setting. This practice, however, is largely becoming obsolete with the increased use of technology in education.

Further, hand-written documents, particularly those outside academic or professional settings, may still see underlining utilized. Personal notes, letters, or casual writings might continue to employ this older convention out of habit or limited access to italicized fonts. This context, however, is significantly different from formal writing.

Addressing Potential Ambiguities: Short Stories vs. Plays

It’s crucial to note the distinction between plays and other literary works like short stories. While plays are italicized, short stories are typically enclosed in quotation marks. This distinction is crucial for accurate and consistent citation. For instance:

• Hamlet (Play – Italicized)
• "The Lottery" (Short Story – Quotation Marks)

Failing to differentiate these can lead to misinterpretations and undermine the clarity of your writing.

Practical Application and Examples

Let's consider some practical examples to solidify the application of italicization for play titles:

• Correct: I recently saw a brilliant production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
• Incorrect: I recently saw a brilliant production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. (Missing italics)
• Correct: The themes of power and betrayal in Macbeth are powerfully explored.
• Incorrect: The themes of power and betrayal in Macbeth are powerfully explored. (Missing italics)
• Correct: My favorite scene in Waiting for Godot is the one with the boots.
• Incorrect: My favorite scene in Waiting for Godot is the one with the boots. (Missing italics)

Beyond the Basics: Titles Within Titles

The rules become slightly more complex when dealing with titles within titles. For instance, if you are referencing a specific edition or adaptation of a play, you might italicize the play title and use quotation marks for the sub-title or edition. For example:

• "The Arden Shakespeare Edition of Hamlet"

This nuanced application ensures accuracy and avoids potential ambiguity.

Conclusion: Embrace the Modern Standard

In conclusion, while underlining once served as a practical substitute for italics, the modern stylistic consensus firmly establishes italics as the preferred method for rendering play titles. This preference stems from improved readability, consistency across style guides, and the widespread availability of italic fonts. While the lingering use of underlining in limited contexts might persist, particularly in informal handwritten documents, adhering to the italicization standard ensures clarity, professionalism, and consistency in formal writing and academic work. Understanding this stylistic convention is essential for effective and precise communication within the literary and academic spheres. By consistently employing italics for play titles, writers enhance the clarity and impact of their work. The transition from the historical use of underlining to the modern standard of italicization represents an evolution in stylistic conventions driven by both practicality and improved readability.