Are Plays Italicized or Quoted? Explained

You sit down to write an essay. You type the name Hamlet. Then you stop.

Are plays italicized or quoted?

Many students, bloggers, and professionals ask this question. They see play titles written in different ways online. Some use quotation marks. Others use italics. Because of this mix, confusion grows quickly.

Formatting rules matter. In school, they affect grades. In business writing, they show professionalism.

Even in blog posts, correct formatting builds trust. Therefore, people search this question to avoid simple mistakes.

The good news is that the rule is clear. Major style guides agree on how to format play titles. Once you understand the logic behind the rule, the confusion disappears.

In this guide, you will first get a direct answer. Then you will learn why the rule exists, how British and American English treat it, and how to apply it correctly in everyday writing.

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Quick Answer

Full-length plays are italicized.

Writers do not place them inside quotation marks.

Examples:

• Hamlet
• Macbeth
• A Streetcar Named Desire
• Death of a Salesman

Because a play is a complete, standalone work, style guides treat it like a book or movie. Therefore, italics are correct.

However, short works such as poems or short stories use quotation marks instead.

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The Origin of Are Plays Italicized or Quoted

This rule comes from printing history.

In early publishing, printers needed a way to make titles stand out. They used italics to highlight long works like books and plays. As a result, readers could easily spot titles in text.

Later, style guides such as MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style formalized this practice. They agreed that long, standalone works should appear in italics.

Meanwhile, writers used quotation marks for shorter works. For example:

• Poems
• Short stories
• Articles
• Songs

Since a play is a full work with acts and scenes, it follows the italics rule.

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British English vs American English Spelling

There is no difference between British and American English on this rule. Both formats use italics for full-length plays.

Feature	American English	British English
Full-length plays	Italicized	Italicized
Short works	Quoted	Quoted
Academic style guides	MLA, APA, Chicago	Oxford, MHRA
Formatting rule	Same	Same

Example:

• US: Romeo and Juliet
• UK: Romeo and Juliet

Although spelling differences exist between the two systems in other cases, this formatting rule stays the same.

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Which Spelling Should You Use?

This question is actually about formatting, not spelling.

If you write academic essays, follow the required style guide. Most schools require MLA or APA. Both use italics for play titles.

If you write blog posts or online articles, italics are still correct. They improve clarity and readability.

For global audiences, italics remain safe and professional. Therefore, you should always italicize full-length plays unless your teacher or editor gives different instructions.

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Common Mistakes with Are Plays Italicized or Quoted

Many writers make simple formatting mistakes.

“Hamlet”
Hamlet

“Macbeth” by Shakespeare
Macbeth by Shakespeare

Mixing italics and quotation marks in one document
Choose one correct format and stay consistent

Forgetting formatting in handwritten work
Underline the title if you cannot use italics

Writers often confuse plays with poems. Remember this rule: long works get italics, short works get quotation marks.

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Are Plays Italicized or Quoted in Everyday Examples

You can see this rule in many types of writing.

Academic Writing

• In Hamlet, Shakespeare explores revenge.
• Students analyze Othello in literature class.

In Emails

• Please read The Crucible before Monday.
• We will discuss A Doll’s House tomorrow.

In News Articles

• The theater will stage King Lear this weekend.
• Critics praised the new production of Wicked.

On Social Media

• Just watched Macbeth live!
• Studying Romeo and Juliet tonight.

In each case, writers use italics because the play is a full work.

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Are Plays Italicized or Quoted – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data shows that many students search this keyword during exam seasons. The phrase “Are plays italicized or quoted” becomes popular during school terms.

The main reason for this confusion is overlap with other formatting rules. For example, poems and short stories use quotation marks.

Therefore, students sometimes apply that rule to plays.

Educational websites, university guides, and writing centers all confirm the same answer. Full-length plays should be italicized.

Since major style guides agree on this rule, it stays consistent across countries and academic systems.

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Comparison Table: Italics vs Quotation Marks

Type of Work	Format	Example
Play	Italics	Hamlet
Book	Italics	1984
Movie	Italics	Titanic
Poem	Quotation Marks	“The Road Not Taken”
Short Story	Quotation Marks	“The Lottery”
Article	Quotation Marks	“Climate Change Today”

This table makes the rule easy to remember.

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FAQs

1. Are plays always italicized?

Yes. Full-length plays are italicized in all major style guides.

2. Do you ever use quotation marks for a play?

Only if you cannot use italics, such as in plain text messages.

3. Are Shakespeare plays italicized?

Yes. For example, Hamlet and Macbeth are italicized.

4. What about a scene from a play?

You usually write the scene name in regular text, not italics.

5. Are musicals italicized?

Yes. Musicals are full works, so they use italics.

6. What if I handwrite an essay?

Underline the play title instead of using italics.

7. Do MLA and APA agree on this rule?

Yes. Both style guides italicize full-length plays.

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Conclusion

The answer to “Are plays italicized or quoted” is simple and consistent. Writers italicize full-length plays. They do not use quotation marks.

Because a play is a complete, standalone work, style guides treat it like a book or film.

Therefore, italics remain the correct format in American English, British English, and most academic systems.

Many students feel unsure at first. However, once you remember the core rule, formatting becomes easy.

Long works get italics. Short works get quotation marks.

Correct formatting improves clarity. It also shows attention to detail and professionalism.

Whether you write an academic paper, blog post, or email, using italics for play titles keeps your writing clean and accurate.

Now you can format play titles with confidence every time.

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