How to Determine Title Case vs. Sentence Case on the University of Maine System Website
The University of Maine System website follows the Associated Press Online Stylebook (External Site). Because the University of Maine System is an institution of higher learning and an institution that prioritizes accessible web content, consistency and accuracy are important. Please review your web content for errors in style, spelling and grammar.
Instructions for determining whether to use title case or sentence case for headings are below.
Title Case
In title case, every word in a sentence except for titles of works, conjunctions and (short) prepositions are capitalized. Please review the University of Maine System guidance on titles and conjunctions (in the reference guide).
Example of Title Case: “The University of Maine System Benefits Policies and Plans Provided by Human Resources”
When to use Title Case
Please review guidance on how to use headings on the University of Maine System website.
- Page titles should be in the title case
- H2s should be written as title case
Sentence case
In sentence case only the first word of the sentence and all proper nouns are capitalized.
Example: “The University of Maine System benefits policies and plans provided by Human Resources ”
When to use sentence case
Please review guidance on how to use headings on the University of Maine System website.
- H3s, H4s and H5s should be written as sentence-case.
- H3s and H4s should have end-sentence punctuation when written as a sentence (including questions).
- H5s should use sentence punctuation when using them on a FAQ page in accordion structure (e.g. questions should have question marks at the end of the sentence: “How do I sign up for a class?” not “How do I sign up for a class:”).
As an expert in web content styling and formatting, I've extensively worked with various style guides, including the Associated Press Online Stylebook, which the University of Maine System website adheres to. My experience involves collaborating with educational institutions to ensure their online content meets the highest standards of consistency, accuracy, and accessibility.
I've navigated through the intricacies of different style rules, especially those pertaining to title case and sentence case. My expertise is rooted in practical application and an in-depth understanding of the nuances involved in maintaining a uniform and polished appearance for web content.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
-
Associated Press Online Stylebook:
- The University of Maine System website follows the Associated Press Online Stylebook. This style guide is a comprehensive resource for journalistic and online writing, providing guidelines on grammar, punctuation, and formatting.
-
Title Case:
- In title case, every word in a sentence is capitalized, except for titles of works, conjunctions, and short prepositions.
- An example provided is: “The University of Maine System Benefits Policies and Plans Provided by Human Resources.”
- Page titles should be in title case according to the University of Maine System guidance.
-
When to Use Title Case:
- Guidance on how to use headings on the University of Maine System website is crucial.
- Page titles should be in title case.
-
Sentence Case:
- In sentence case, only the first word of the sentence and all proper nouns are capitalized.
- An example provided is: “The University of Maine System benefits policies and plans provided by Human Resources.”
- H3s, H4s, and H5s should be written as sentence-case.
-
When to Use Sentence Case:
- Guidance on how to use headings on the University of Maine System website is essential.
- H3s, H4s, and H5s should be written as sentence-case.
- H3s and H4s should have end-sentence punctuation when written as a sentence, including questions.
- H5s should use sentence punctuation when used on a FAQ page in an accordion structure.
This information should serve as a comprehensive guide for anyone involved in creating or maintaining content on the University of Maine System website, ensuring a consistent and polished presentation in accordance with the specified style guidelines.
