Composition Titles

ñ uses two styles for formatting composition titles. Marketing communications generally use italics for titles of longer works, while media communications follow AP style, with some exceptions. Apply the appropriate style consistently within a publication or webpage.

See also: Capitalization

Italics (Marketing) or Quotation Marks (Media)

In marketing communications, italicize titles of the following works. In media communications, use quotation marks instead.

  • Books
  • Movies
  • Television and radio programs
  • Podcasts
  • Blogs
  • Plays, musicals and operas
  • Museum exhibitions
  • Works of art (except sculptures)
  • Music albums
  • Long poems

Marketing example: The novel The Great Gatsby was published in 1925.
Media example: The novel “The Great Gatsby” was published in 1925.

Publications

In marketing communications, italicize titles of the following publications. In media communications, use roman text (no italics or quotation marks).

  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Academic journals
  • Other periodicals

Marketing example: The campus publication Just the Facts is available through Strategic Relations and Communications.
Media example: The campus publication Just the Facts is available through Strategic Relations and Communications.

Quotation Marks

In both marketing and media communications, use quotation marks rather than italics for titles of the following:

  • Articles
  • Episodes
  • Short stories
  • Blog posts
  • Book chapters
  • Short poems
  • Songs
  • Conference papers
  • Presentations and lectures
  • Essays, dissertations and theses

Example: Read the blog post “Blue Sky Trail” for information about a great Fort Collins biking trail.

Roman Text

Use roman text (no italics or quotation marks) for the following in both marketing and media communications:

  • Course names
  • Websites and webpages (generally, hyperlink)
  • Software, web and mobile applications
  • Forms and reports
  • Events, workshops and conferences
  • Online-only publications (Politico, Axios)
  • Holy books
  • Dictionaries and encyclopedias
  • Sculptures