How to correctly handle the italics of book titles and journal names in APA format?

In APA format, italics are required for book titles and journal names. Specifically, italicize both the titles of complete, standalone publications like books and reports, as well as the full titles of periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers). The key principle is reserving italics for whole, self-contained works published independently. Book and journal titles are always italicized in APA reference list entries and within the main text. However, titles of shorter works within larger works, like journal articles, book chapters, or web pages, are not italicized and instead appear in plain text with sentence-style capitalization. For journal names, italicize the title itself but not the volume number. Ensure titles appear correctly in the reference list and when mentioned in the text. Always verify the exact journal title for accuracy. Apply italics to journal names consistently throughout the paper, including the reference list entries. For books, italicize the title in both the reference list and whenever mentioning the book directly in your text narrative (e.g., "In Smith's (2020) work *The APA Guide*..."). This formatting clearly signals to readers the type of source, enhancing bibliographic clarity and aiding comprehension. Consistency is vital for professional presentation.