Titles in the main text

Encoding Instructions (old P4 version)

The WWP encodes titles which appear in the main text (that is, within text and not within titleBlock) using the title element.

We consider a title to be the proper name of the work mentioned, so only references which are in fact proper names should be encoded with title. We do not require that the title be correct or complete to qualify for title; however, the wording and presentation should be formalized enough to make it clear that the printer intends to convey that this is a title, rather than just a passing, vague reference. Thus we wouldn’t tag “I read Donne’s Sermons today” as title. Similarly, we don’t tag a reference to the author’s name used metonymically for his/her works (e.g. “I read Bacon the other day”).

In some cases, works may be referenced in what seems like a conversational manner, which makes it difficult to tell whether the title has been mentioned or not, particularly given that capitalization and even italics are not always a reliable guide during this period.

I read Bacon’s Essays

I read Bacon’s essays

I read Bacon’s Works

Since the value of the reference is slight compared with the work of tagging it, we under-tag rather than over-tag, so in cases of doubt, we will not use title but will leave the reference untagged.

Special cases:

"The Bible" is not a title.

The names of the books of the bible are tagged with title.