How to Write Short Story Titles in MLA

Writing short story titles in MLA style follows consistent rules for capitalization, punctuation, and citation formatting. In MLA, short story titles are placed inside quotation marks, with standard capitalization applied to major words. When including a short story in a Works Cited list, you record the author, title in quotation marks, publication details, and container information. This guide explains how to format, punctuate, and cite short story titles accurately and reliably for academic writing.

Core MLA Rules for Short Story Titles

MLA treats short stories as shorter works that appear within larger collections or journals. For this reason, titles of short stories are enclosed in double quotation marks rather than italicized. The surrounding container, such as an anthology or magazine, is italicized and listed after the story title in both in-text citations and Works Cited entries. These principles apply whether the story is published in print or an online journal, ensuring consistent formatting across your paper.

Use Standard Capitalization

Capitalize the first and last words of the title and all major words, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and subordinating conjunctions. Articles, coordinating conjunctions, and the preposition in any position are generally lowercase unless they are the first or last word. This sentence-style capitalization helps titles remain readable while following MLA guidelines.

Punctuation Inside Quotation Marks

Place commas and periods that relate to the title inside the closing quotation mark, as with any quoted matter. Question and exclamation marks appear inside the quotation marks only if they belong to the title itself; otherwise, place them outside. For example, write 'The Lottery Ticket,' and position commas and periods consistently around citations.

In-Text Citations for Short Stories

In MLA in-text citations, include the author’s last name and the page number where the story appears. Short story titles are mentioned in the sentence itself or shortened in parentheses. When the author’s name is part of the sentence, introduce the title in quotation marks in the signal phrase or parenthetically, keeping references clear and traceable to the Works Cited list.

Signal Phrase Example

In Shirley Jackson’s 'The Lottery,' the villagers follow a tradition that unsettles the narrator. This sentence embeds the title naturally while attributing the idea directly to the author, which supports smooth integration and accurate citation.

Parenthetical Citation Example

('The Lottery' 75) is used when the author is named elsewhere or when space requires a compact reference. The title remains in quotation marks and matches the Works Cited entry to avoid confusion between stories with similar names or themes.

Works Cited Format for Short Stories

In the Works Cited list, begin with the author’s last name, first name. Then place the story title in quotation marks, followed by the italicized container title, publication details, and access information for online sources. This structure allows readers to locate the exact version you consulted and to distinguish it from other works in the same collection.

Print Example

Jackson, Shirley. 'The Lottery.' The Lottery and Other Stories, The Swallow Press, 1949.

Online Example

Chekhov, Anton. 'The Bet.' Short Stories, translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky, The Floating Press, 2009. www.example.com/stories/the-bet. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Italicizing short story titles instead of using quotation marks.
• Using all caps, unclear abbreviations, or inconsistent capitalization.
• Misplacing commas and periods relative to quotation marks.
• Omitting the container title or providing an incomplete Works Cited entry.

Avoiding these errors keeps your citations reliable and your academic writing aligned with MLA expectations.

Practical Tips and Quick Reference

Use quotation marks for the story title, italics for the container, and sentence-style capitalization for the title itself. Maintain consistency between in-text citations and the Works Cited list, and verify details with the most recent MLA Handbook. These habits support clarity and accuracy across essays, research papers, and longer projects.

Quick Reference Table

Following these rules and examples ensures your short story titles are formatted correctly in MLA style, supporting clarity and scholarly credibility.