The first time you refer to an author of a literary work or a secondary source, such as a critical essay, use the author’s full name: Virginia Woolf is known for her experimental novels. In subsequent references, you may use the last name only: Woolf’s early work was largely overlooked. As a rule, do not use personal titles such as Mr. or Ms. or Dr. when referring to authors.

When you mention the title of a short story, an essay, or a short or medium-length poem, put the title in quotation marks.

“The Progress of Love,” by Alice Munro

“Coming Home Again,” by Chang-Rae Lee

“Promises like Pie-Crust,” by Christina Rossetti

Italicize the titles of novels, nonfiction books, plays, and long poems.

The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

M. Butterfly, by David Henry Hwang

Howl, by Allen Ginsberg

Refer to each character by the name most often used for him or her in the work. If, for instance, a character’s name is Lambert Strether and he is always referred to as “Strether,” do not call him “Lambert” or “Mr. Strether.” Similarly, write “Lady Macbeth,” not “Mrs. Macbeth.”