If you’re writing about a short story, the punctuation can feel surprisingly tricky. One of the most common questions is whether short story titles should be italicized or put in quotation marks.
The short answer is no: in most style guides, short story titles are placed in quotation marks, not italicized. Italics are usually reserved for longer, standalone works such as books, journals, films, and plays.
Are short stories italicized?
No. In standard English usage, short story titles are not italicized; they are usually enclosed in quotation marks. Italics are typically used for books, magazines, newspapers, films, and other complete works, while short stories are treated as shorter pieces within a larger literary context.
Why short story titles use quotation marks
Quotation marks signal that the title belongs to a shorter work rather than an independent, book-length publication. This helps readers quickly distinguish a short story from a novel, collection, or anthology title.
The general rule
- Short story title = quotation marks
- Book title = italics
- Anthology or collection title = italics
For example, you would write Dubliners for the collection title, but “Araby” for the individual short story title. The distinction is practical as much as stylistic.
What italics usually mean
Italics often show that a work is self-contained and substantial enough to stand on its own. That is why novels, memoirs, and collections are italicized, while individual stories inside them are not.
How major style guides treat short story titles
Most widely used style systems agree on this point, even if they differ in other punctuation details. If you are writing for school, journalism, or publishing, the safest approach is to follow the style guide you have been given.
APA, MLA, and Chicago
- MLA: short story titles go in quotation marks.
- APA: short story titles also go in quotation marks in the text.
- Chicago: short story titles are generally placed in quotation marks.
While each guide has its own formatting rules for citations and references, the basic treatment of short story titles is consistent: they are not italicized.
What about classroom assignments?
Teachers sometimes have their own preferences, especially in English classes. If your instructor asks for a specific format, follow that instruction even if it differs slightly from a general style guide.
Short story titles versus other literary titles
A common source of confusion is that different kinds of literary works are punctuated differently. Once you learn the pattern, it becomes much easier to apply.
Use quotation marks for these shorter works
- Short stories
- Poems
- Essay titles
- Articles
- Chapters
Use italics for these longer works
- Books
- Novels
- Collections and anthologies
- Magazines and newspapers
- Plays, films, and major published works
This is why a sentence might include The Things They Carried as a collection title and “The Man I Killed” as a story title. The formatting helps readers immediately understand the hierarchy of the work.
Examples of correct formatting
Seeing the rule in action often makes it easier to remember. Here are a few clean examples of how short story titles should appear in standard prose.
In a sentence
- I read “The Lottery” in class last week.
- “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” is often discussed for its ending and themes.
- The story “The Tell-Tale Heart” appears in many anthologies.
With a collection title
- Interpreter of Maladies includes “A Temporary Matter.”
- Dubliners contains “Eveline.”
- Men Without Women includes “Drive My Car.”
Notice the pattern: the larger container is italicized, and the individual short story is placed in quotation marks.
When might a short story title appear differently?
There are a few situations where formatting can vary, but they do not change the basic rule. The differences usually come from house style, formatting limitations, or special publication contexts.
Plain-text environments
In text messages, handwritten notes, or systems that do not support italics, writers may rely on quotation marks alone. That is still acceptable for short story titles.
Bibliographies and reference lists
Some citation styles format titles differently in reference entries than in running text. Even then, the title of a short story is generally not italicized as if it were a book.
Special editorial styles
A publication may have its own house style that overrides general conventions. If you are submitting to a journal, magazine, or website, it is wise to check their guidelines before finalizing your formatting.
Why this rule matters in writing
Correct title formatting is more than a technicality. It shows that you understand literary categories and helps your writing look polished and professional.
Clarity for readers
Readers can tell at a glance whether you are referring to a short story, a book, or a larger collection. That clarity is especially useful in literary analysis, essays, and book discussions.
Consistency in academic work
In school and college writing, consistent punctuation signals care and attention to detail. Even when the content is strong, inconsistent title formatting can distract from your argument.
Common mistakes to avoid
Writers often make the same few errors when formatting short story titles. Avoiding them can save you from unnecessary corrections.
- Italicizing the short story title instead of putting it in quotation marks.
- Using single quotation marks when your style guide calls for double quotation marks.
- Forgetting to italicize the collection title when referring to an anthology or book of stories.
- Mixing styles within the same essay or article.
If you are unsure, remember the simplest rule: short story titles are quoted, not italicized.
Easy way to remember the rule
A useful memory trick is to think of italics as reserved for the “whole package” and quotation marks for the “piece inside.” A short story is usually one piece inside a larger literary whole, so it gets quotation marks.
A quick comparison
- Beloved — book title, italicized
- Stories of Your Life and Others — collection title, italicized
- “Story of Your Life” — short story title, in quotation marks
This pattern also helps when you are comparing stories across authors, collections, and genres. The punctuation keeps the structure of your references clear.
What to do if you are citing a short story
If you are writing an essay, the title formatting is only one part of the citation. You also need to make sure the rest of the reference matches the required style.
Check these details
- Author name
- Short story title
- Collection or source title
- Editor, if relevant
- Publication information
- Page numbers, if required
Because citation rules vary by style guide, it is best to consult the official guide or your instructor’s requirements rather than guessing. The title formatting, however, remains the same in most cases: quotation marks for the short story itself.
Final answer: are short stories italicized?
No. In standard English formatting, short story titles are usually placed in quotation marks rather than italicized. Italics are reserved for longer works such as books and collections, while the short story itself is treated as a smaller work within that larger form.
If you want to keep learning about literary title formatting, you may also find these guides helpful: are play titles italicized? and do you italicize poem titles?