Is “Is” with Capitalized in a Title MLA?
In the realm of academic writing, adhering to the MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting guidelines is crucial for ensuring consistency and professionalism. One common question that arises among students and scholars is whether the word “is” should be capitalized in a title when following MLA style. This article aims to provide a clear and concise answer to this query.
Understanding MLA Style
The MLA style is widely used in the humanities, particularly in the fields of literature, linguistics, and cultural studies. It provides a set of rules and guidelines for formatting papers, in-text citations, and works cited pages. One of the key aspects of MLA style is the capitalization of titles.
Capitalization in MLA Titles
According to MLA guidelines, titles should be capitalized in a specific manner. Generally, the first word of the title, the last word of the title, and all principal words, including those that follow hyphens in compound terms, should be capitalized. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
Is “Is” with Capitalized in a Title MLA?
Now, let’s address the main question: Is “is” with capitalized in a title MLA? The answer is no. The word “is” is not considered a principal word in MLA style, and therefore, it should not be capitalized in a title. Principal words are typically nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns. Since “is” is a verb, it falls under this category but is not capitalized in a title.
Examples
To illustrate this further, consider the following examples:
– Incorrect: “Is the Use of Capitalized Is in MLA Titles Necessary?”
– Correct: “The Use of Capitalized Is in MLA Titles is Necessary?”
In the first example, the word “is” is incorrectly capitalized. In the second example, the word “is” is correctly in lowercase, adhering to MLA style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when formatting a title in MLA style, the word “is” should not be capitalized. Adhering to this rule ensures consistency and professionalism in academic writing. By understanding the nuances of MLA style, students and scholars can effectively communicate their ideas and contribute to the scholarly discourse in their respective fields.
