When To Italicize Titles: The Open Boat Example

The use of italics for ship names is a stylistic choice that depends on the specific style guide being followed. Some style guides, like the Chicago Manual of Style and MLA, recommend italicizing ship names. Others, like the Australian Government Style Manual, suggest that specific names be italicized and capitalized. However, there is no universal consensus, and some authors may choose to be liberal with italics while others avoid them altogether. Ultimately, the decision to italicize The Open Boat depends on the context and the style guide being used, if any.

The Chicago Manual of Style

When it comes to the use of italics for ship names, The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) states that the names of specific ships and other vessels are both capitalized and italicized. This includes names of ships in the military, with the exception of prefixes such as "HMS" or "USS", which are not italicized. For example, "I was aboard the *USS Constitution*." or "He served on the *HMS Victory*."

In addition to ship names, CMOS also specifies that the names of other craft, such as spacecraft, aircraft, and species names, are italicized. This is consistent with the guidance provided by the MLA Style Center, which states that names of ships, aircraft, and spacecraft are italicized in MLA style, with prefixes like "USS" or "HMS" appearing in regular text.

While CMOS provides clear guidance on italicizing ship names, it is worth noting that some writers and publications may deviate from these guidelines based on personal preference or house style. Ultimately, consistency is key, and it is important to follow the guidelines of the specific style guide being used or maintain consistency within a publication.

MLA Style

In MLA style, the names of ships, aircraft, and spacecraft are italicized. Therefore, if you are referring to a boat in the context of it being a vessel, then it should be italicized. For example, if you are referring to a specific boat, such as "The Open Boat", then it should be italicized.

However, it is important to note that any prefixes, such as "USS" or "HMS", should not be italicized and should not be punctuated with periods. For example, "He served on the U.S.S. Voyager for three years."

Additionally, if the prefix is part of a title, then the whole title, including the prefix, should be italicized. For example, "I played a maiden in the musical H.M.S. Pinafore in grade school."

It is worth noting that other style guides, such as The Associated Press Stylebook and the U.S. Navy Style Guide, do not recommend italicizing ship names. Therefore, it is always important to check which style guide you are required to follow and be consistent in your application of the style rules.

Wikipedia Style

The Open Boat: To Italicize or Not to Italicize?

There is no definitive consensus on whether or not to italicize the names of boats, ships, and other vessels. The answer depends on the style guide being used. For example, the MLA style guide dictates that the names of ships, aircraft, and spacecraft are italicized, whereas the AP style guide does not use italics.

The Chicago Manual of Style, section 8.115, states that "Names of specific ships and other vessels are both capitalized and italicized." However, some publishers and writers prefer underlining to italics, while others choose not to use any special formatting at all.

Additionally, there are certain conventions to follow when writing about military ships. If a ship name includes prefixes such as HMS (British) or SS (United States), these abbreviations should not be italicized. The same rule applies to brand names like Boeing or Amtrak.

When it comes to the name "The Open Boat," the decision to italicize or not would depend on the context and the style guide being used. If following a style guide that recommends italicizing vessel names, then "The Open Boat" would be italicized as it is the name of a specific boat. However, if using a style guide that does not recommend italics, the name would simply be written in regular font.

Ultimately, the decision to italicize "The Open Boat" comes down to the chosen style guide and the writer's or publisher's preference for consistency in their work.

Australian Government Style Manual

The Australian Government Style Manual provides rules and guidance for creating clear and consistent content that meets the needs of users. It covers various aspects of writing and designing content, including grammar, punctuation, conventions, accessibility, and inclusivity. While the manual does not specifically mention the formatting of ship names, it broadly aligns with the Chicago Manual of Style, which states that names of specific ships are both capitalized and italicized.

According to the Chicago Manual of Style, section 8.115, "Names of specific ships and other vessels are both capitalized and italicized." This includes boats, ships, and spacecraft. For example:

> The Lady Princess's Floating Palace

> Stan's Ocean Behemoth

> Divorce Paper Dinghy

When writing about a military ship with a prefix such as HMS (British) or SS (United States), do not italicize the prefix and do not use periods for punctuation. Here are some examples:

> HMS Victory

> USS Constitution

The Australian Government Style Manual emphasizes the importance of clear, consistent, and accessible content. While it does not provide specific guidance on italicizing ship names, it is likely that following the Chicago Manual of Style or MLA style guidelines would align with the Australian Government's style principles.

Additionally, the National Museum of Australia also broadly follows the Australian Government Style Manual, demonstrating its applicability to various Australian institutions.

Consistency is key

When it comes to writing, consistency is key. This is especially true when it comes to formatting, as inconsistent formatting can distract readers and detract from the quality of your work.

One area where consistency is important is in the use of italics. While the rules for italicization can vary depending on the style guide you are following, it is important to apply those rules consistently throughout your text.

For example, if you are writing about ships, you may wonder whether to italicize the name of a ship, such as "The Open Boat." According to The Chicago Manual of Style, the names of specific ships and other vessels are both capitalized and italicized. So, if you are following this style guide, you would italicize "The Open Boat."

However, other style guides may have different rules. For instance, the MLA style guide also italicizes ship names but does not italicize prefixes such as "USS" or "HMS." So, if you were writing about "USS Open Boat" in MLA style, you would not italicize the prefix "USS" but would italicize "Open Boat."

Additionally, some writers choose to omit italics entirely, while others use them liberally. Ultimately, the most important thing is to be consistent in your application of the rules you choose to follow. This will ensure that your writing is clear and easy to follow for your readers.

By being consistent in your use of italics and other formatting choices, you can ensure that your writing is polished and professional, creating a seamless reading experience for your audience.

Frequently asked questions