When it comes to citing sources in academic writing, one of the most common questions is about formatting titles, particularly when dealing with websites, newspapers, or news outlets like BBC News. In MLA (Modern Language Association) style, correct formatting helps ensure clarity and consistency throughout your work. So, should BBC News be italicized in MLA?
The MLA Guidelines for Titles
According to the MLA Handbook (8th edition), the general rule for formatting titles is as follows:
- Italicize the titles of longer works (books, movies, websites, newspapers, etc.).
- Use quotation marks for shorter works (articles, essays, poems, chapters, etc.).
Applying These Guidelines to BBC News
In the case of BBC News, the title is that of a website and a news outlet. According to MLA guidelines, since BBC News is considered a major publication or website, its title should be italicized when cited in your writing. This applies when referring to the site as a whole or when mentioning it as a news organization in a general sense. For more info Exposednews.co.uk
For example:
- I read the latest update on BBC News about the global economy.
- The report from BBC News provides an in-depth look at current events.
Specific Cases: Articles from BBC News
When citing specific articles or reports from BBC News, the article titles themselves (like all article titles in MLA) should be placed in quotation marks, not italicized. However, the name of the website (BBC News) would still be italicized.
For example:
- The article “How Climate Change is Affecting the Oceans” was published on BBC News.
Conclusion
To answer the question: Yes, BBC News should be italicized in MLA. This is because it is considered a major publication or website, which, according to MLA style, requires italicization. Articles from BBC News, however, should be cited with quotation marks around the specific article title. Always remember to follow MLA guidelines for consistency and clarity in your writing.
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