How to Use a Short Story Title in an MLA Essay?

You should italicize the short story title in the essay when using the MLA format.

When titling a short story in MLA, think about using a phrase that evokes curiosity or sets the tone. Also, avoid overly complex or confusing titles.

In MLA format for a short story, you should start with the author's name, last name first, followed by a period. Then the title of the short story in italics, with a period. Next, the name of the collection it is from (if applicable), in italics, followed by a period. Then the publisher, a comma, the year of publication, and a period. For example, if the short story 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson was published in a collection by Penguin in 1948, it would be formatted like: Jackson, Shirley. 'The Lottery'. Penguin, 1948.

When using MLA format for a short story, first, you must properly identify the author. As mentioned before, it's last name first, then first name. Next, the title of the short story. This is a crucial part as it lets the reader know exactly which work you are referring to. The use of quotation marks around the title is a must. Now, if the short story is published within a collection, the name of that collection is also needed in the citation. Then comes the publisher, which is the company or entity that made the work available. The year of publication follows, which helps in placing the work in a historical and literary context. And finally, if you are citing a specific part of the short story, the page numbers are added at the end. All these elements work together to create a proper MLA citation for a short story.

The key to writing a short story title in MLA is to make it both engaging and specific. You might draw inspiration from the story's key moments or characters. And make sure the font and style match the MLA guidelines for consistency.

You should start with the title in quotation marks. Capitalize the first word and all major words. Don't italicize or underline the title.

You can start by thinking about the main theme or idea of your short story. Then, try to come up with a catchy and descriptive title that gives a hint about what the story is about.

Another approach could be to focus on a character and their journey. Say, 'The Adventures of [Character Name] in [Short Story Name]'. This makes the title more character-driven.

First off, look for the key elements or the most compelling aspect of your story. Maybe it's a unique character, a dramatic event, or a central conflict. Use those as inspiration for the title. And try to keep it short and snappy, but still meaningful.

In MLA citation format for a short story, generally you start with the author's last name, first name. Then the title of the short story in quotation marks, followed by the title of the book (if it's part of a collection) in italics, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, the year of publication, and the page numbers where the short story can be found. For example: Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Tell - Tale Heart." The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, edited by James M. Hutchisson, Vintage, 1975, pp. 34 - 43.