2-Minute Writer: Underlining (Italics) vs. Quotation Marks

If you've ever been confused about how to punctuate book titles or poems, this is the video for you. I give helpful tips on remembering whether to use italics or quotation marks.

Note: underlining = italics (You just underline longhand and italicize while typing)

Be sure to shoot me any questions you have, and subscribe to English nerd for more tips!

____________________

Want to connect?

Sign up for my author newsletter and you'll get the first two chapters of my upcoming fantasy novel Firian Rising!

[angelafarley]

I've taught this concept for years. Never thought to put underlined items "on a shelf." Genius!

[MelodiHenry]

I know you posted this 5 years ago, but you just SAVED MY LIFE with this lesson! I have taught 3rd-4th grades for almost 20 years and have never really had a "rule" about underlining or putting quotations around pieces of literature, song titles, etc. THIS IS PERFECT!

[ukyoize]

No one actually uses quotation marks for emphasis, they are used for quotations.

[lisazoo]

Thanks, I like the underline = put them on the shelf analogy. I thought then the quotation marks are like bookends to help a small piece stand up.

[braindye]

Thank you! I remember seeing questions on the MAP Test asking which one I should put in for a specific title and they drove me crazy! I can finally understand this concept thanks to you. You're a lifesaver!

[littlerajababy]

Thank you! The shelf analogy helps. You just earned yourself a new subscriber! I will check in more often.

[hbkw]

Correct me if I am wrong, but an essay that is a chapter in a larger book would be put in quotation marks and not underlined or italicized, right? How about a section header within that chapter? Also quotation marks? Thanks!

[ainunnishatchowdhury]

Hello ma'am..Would you please tell me that whether I have to underline each word in case of italic handwriting or I have to underline the book name as a whole?

[annah.]

Here is a question I can't seem to get answered by those in the Writing industry. Should a novel-in-short story be in italics or quotation marks?

[brandonpotter]

Here's a question for ya: When writing a book, if I'm referring to the grade someone received in a class, would the grade be put in quotes, italics, or just capitalized? For example: "I hoped that my semester’s work would earn me an A, and it did." I'm currently leaning towards italics... but I could be totally wrong. Any help would be very appreciated!

[casypp]

Do we also underline the year of the book?or just the title? For example: Darwin’s On the Origin of Species 1859.

[mafunnymoments]

Really helped me with my homework thanks a lot!

[paml]

What about software titles? In the past when you purchased software it would have sat on your bookshelf. However, no you just download it. Does that mean you'd simply underline them? For accessibility reasons, italics should no longer be used by anyone. It is difficult to view by individuals with disabilities.

[laurarodriguez]

What about a documentary or youtube video?

[harrickvharrick]

I want to know how I can write a word underlined in a YouTube comment like this one!