1. In formal writing (e.g., essays, research papers):
* Titles of books, plays, films, albums, and other long works are italicized: *Pride and Prejudice*, *The Lord of the Rings*
* Titles of shorter works, such as poems, short stories, essays, songs, and articles, are enclosed in quotation marks: "The Raven," "Ode to a Nightingale," "The Importance of Being Earnest."
2. In informal writing (e.g., emails, social media posts, casual conversation):
* Titles are often not italicized or enclosed in quotes, but rather written as normal text: I just finished reading The Lord of the Rings.
* You can choose to italicize or use quotes if you want to emphasize the title: I just finished reading *The Lord of the Rings*.
In all cases:
* The first word and all proper nouns in a title should be capitalized.
* Follow the style guide or the instructions of your teacher or editor.
Here are some examples:
* Formal: I am reading the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.
* Informal: I just finished watching the movie "The Avengers."
* Formal: I have always enjoyed Jane Austen's novel *Pride and Prejudice*.
* Informal: Have you read *The Hobbit*?
Remember, consistency is key. Choose a style and stick to it throughout your writing.