1. In Quotation Marks: This is the most common method, especially if the title is a full sentence or phrase.
*Example:* "The American Dream is Alive and Well" was the title of Dr. King's speech.
2. Italicized: This method is typically used if the title is a book, movie, or other longer work. It can also be used for shorter titles, especially if they are particularly important or impactful.
*Example:* In his speech, *A Call for Unity,* Martin Luther King, Jr., urged his listeners to overcome racial divisions.
3. In Parentheses: This method is less common but can be used if you want to mention the title briefly without emphasizing it.
*Example:* Dr. King's powerful speech (given in 1963) resonated deeply with the American public.
4. In Plain Text: If you are only referring to the speech in a general way, you can simply mention it by name without any special formatting.
*Example:* Dr. King's speech was a turning point in the Civil Rights movement.
Key Considerations:
* Context: Consider the specific context of your essay. If you are analyzing a speech in detail, using quotation marks or italics might be more appropriate. If you are simply mentioning it in passing, plain text might suffice.
* Style: The style guide you are following (e.g., MLA, APA) might have specific rules for formatting titles.
* Emphasis: Use formatting to emphasize the title's importance or to distinguish it from other elements in your essay.
Ultimately, the best way to write the title of a speech in an essay is to choose the method that is most clear, consistent, and appropriate for your purpose.