I found myself thinking about this frequently in the last few days. For every blog entry I write, I usually give it a title and sometimes I would have to stop for just a moment and ask myself "Should this word be capitalized?" Finally, enough was enough! I had to look it up and this is what I came across.
The rules to correctly capitalizing a title:
These are the words that should be capitalized...
(1) The first and last words of the title
(2) All nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives
(3) Any conjunction or preposition of five letters or more
These are the words that should not be capitalized...
(1) Articles (the, a, an), unless the article is the first or (less likely, of course) last word of the title
(2) Prepositions of four letters or fewer (unless the preposition is the first or last word of the title)
(3) Conjunctions of four letters or fewer (unless the conjunction is the first or last word of the title)
(4) The particle "to" used with an infinitive (unless the "to" is the first or last word of the title)
So, there we go! Now, none of use will ever incorrectly capitalize a title again.
Information orininally found at this link: http://grammartips.homestead.com/caps.html
None of us will ever incorrectly capitalize a title again huh? >.>
ReplyDeleteMaaaaaaybe?
Pretty sure I'm a grammar rebel, and yes I'll stick to that particular title since grammatically challenged doesn't sound as good now does it?
I'll do this though.....I'll TRY to remember this when writing titles, not promising anything, but well....how bout you agree to be my title coordinator? :)
I recently learned about the last word being capitalized, as well. Seems odd if it's one of the four parts you're not to capitalize.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you wrote "should this word -me- capitalized."
I am baad at grammar and this post enlightened me. I am a literature student and I am very ashamed to tell this. I suck at grammar. Maybe I could use a few tips from you. Thank you. Keep the good work going
ReplyDeletelol. I know. I still have to think pretty hard when capitalizing my titles. I'm sure some are still wrong.
ReplyDeletedjpr...I will certainly be your coordinator. lol. As long as you don't mind a few errors here or there.
Yeah, I didn't know any of those words you just wrote. Conjucta-what-now? So this is how I will capitalize from now on - just to make it look like I'm in charge of the words in my blog:
ReplyDelete"ONE TITLE TO RULE THEM ALL!"
The exclamation mark is crucial. Nobody messes with titles that speak loudly and carry exclamations.
Hello Aubrie
ReplyDeleteLoving your blog, so filled with great tips for writers. I'm a fellow WeBooker, although I haven't submitted anything extensive to date. Officially following your page from ... now!
Best wishes
Moana Brantwood
Patrick...Sounds good. Also, nobody messes with a Lord of the Rings reference. lol.
ReplyDeleteMoana...It's very nice to meet you. I love it when WEbook people show up. Looking forward to seeing you around here and there. :)