Title case is used to provide consistency in the system and in reporting. Please do not use ALL CAPITALS or all lowercase in proposal/project titles.
In title case, major words are capitalized and most minor words are lowercase. If your title uses alternate capitalization where a letter other than the first letter of a word is used in the acronym and requires special emphasis, please capitalize as you feel is best indicated for your acronym.
Major words include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, and all words of four letters or more.
Minor words include short (i.e., three letters or fewer) conjunctions, short prepositions, and all articles.
In title case, capitalize the following words in a title or heading:
- the first word of the title or heading, even if it is a minor word such as “The” or “A”
- the first word of a subtitle
- the first word after a colon, em dash, or end punctuation in a heading
- major words, including the second part of hyphenated major words (e.g., “Self-Report,” not “Self-report”)
- words of four letters or more (e.g., “With,” “Between,” “From”)
Use lowercase for minor words that are three letters or fewer in a title or heading (except the first word in a title or subtitle or the first word after a colon, em dash, or end punctuation in a heading):
- short conjunctions (e.g., “and,” “as,” “but,” “for,” “if,” “nor,” “or,” “so,” “yet”)
- articles (“a,” “an,” “the”)
- short prepositions (e.g., “as,” “at,” “by,” “for,” “in,” “of,” “off,” “on,” “per,” “to,” “up,” “via”)
As an expert in language and style conventions, particularly in the realm of title formatting, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge grounded in established guidelines and principles. My proficiency is underscored by a keen understanding of the nuances associated with title case usage, ensuring consistency and clarity in communication.
In the realm of title case, my expertise is evident in recognizing the distinction between major and minor words. Major words, comprising nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, and all words of four letters or more, are capitalized. Meanwhile, minor words—short conjunctions, articles, and prepositions with three letters or fewer—are typically in lowercase unless they appear as the first word, after a colon, em dash, or end punctuation.
In the context of the article you provided, titled "Title case is used to provide consistency in the system and in reporting," let's dissect the key concepts and guidelines:
-
Major and Minor Words:
- Major words include nouns (e.g., "Title," "Consistency"), verbs (e.g., "Is," "Used"), adjectives (e.g., "Systemic," "Reporting"), adverbs (e.g., "Consistently"), pronouns (e.g., "It"), and all words of four letters or more (e.g., "Provide," "System," "Reporting").
- Minor words consist of short conjunctions (e.g., "and," "in," "or"), articles (e.g., "is," "to," "the"), and short prepositions (e.g., "in," "and," "for").
-
Capitalization Rules:
- The first word of the title ("Title") is capitalized.
- The first word after a colon, em dash, or end punctuation in a heading is capitalized ("Is").
- Major words are capitalized ("Consistency," "System," "Reporting").
- The second part of hyphenated major words is also capitalized ("Self-Report," if applicable).
-
Subtitle Capitalization:
- The first word of a subtitle would be capitalized, following the same rules as the main title.
By adhering to these conventions, the title maintains a professional and polished appearance, facilitating better comprehension and visual appeal. This meticulous approach to title case reflects a commitment to effective communication and adherence to established style guidelines.
