Capitalization Rules for Titles of

Literary and Artistic Works 2

1. In titles of literary and artistic works and in display headings, capitalize all words with four
or more letters. Also capitalize words with fewer than four letters except:
ARTICLES: the, a, an

SHORT CONJUNCTIONS: and, as, but, if, or, nor

SHORT PREPOSITIONS: at, by, for, in of, off, on, out, to, up

2. Even articles, short conjunctions, and short prepositions should be capitalized under the
following circumstances:

a. Always capitalize the first and last word of a title.

“A Home to Be Proud Of”

b. Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon in a title.

Abraham Lincoln—The Early Years
The Treaty of Versailles: A Reexamination
c. Capitalize short words like in, out, off, and up in the titles when they serve as adverbs rather
than as prepositions.
“AT&T Chalks Up Record Earnings for the Year”
BUT: “Sailing up the Mississippi”
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold
d. Capitalize short prepositions like in and up when used together with prepositions having four
or more letters.
“Sailing Up and Down the Mississippi”
“Happenings In and Around Town”
“Mall Opening On or About May 1”

More Useful Capitalization Rules 1

3. A quoted sentence
Always capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence, but do not capitalize the first word of an
interrupted quote.
Jamie said confidently, "I know when to capitalize words correctly."
- but -
"I know when," Jamey said confidently, "to capitalize words correctly."

4. Each item in a list or an outline

The initial letter of the first word in a list or an outline is capitalized.

1
Gigliotti, Carol C. Capitalization and Number Expression, South-Western Publishing Co., 1992.
2
Sabin, William A. The Gregg Reference Manual, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 8th Edition.
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5. Usually the names of seasons are not capitalized.
♦ summer days
♦ fall leaves (or autumn leaves)
♦ winter activities
♦ spring fever

6. Capitalize the names of seasons when they are personified.

If a season of the year is given human qualities, it should be capitalized. Seasons may also be
capitalized if used as part of a title.

♦ Old Man Winter

♦ Lady Spring
♦ Summer White Sale

7. Do not capitalize compass points when referring to directions.

Compass points (north, east, south, and west) and derivatives of these words are not capitalized if
they are used to refer to directions or general locations.

♦ Cathy lives north of Columbus.

♦ Drive south on Mill Street until you reach the expressway.

8. Capitalize compass directions when designating a specific region.

Compass directions and derivatives of these words (Northern, Southwest, Midwest, Middle East,
and so on) are capitalized when they refer to a specific region. These words are also capitalized if
they refer to people in a region; their customs; and their cultural, political or social activities.
Also, capitalize compass directions that are part of a proper name (West Virginia, Deep South).

♦ Lauren lives in the North.

♦ Margaret will move to the Midwest next month.
♦ The Southwestern region of the United States is known for it Southern hospitality.

9. Nouns with letters and numbers.

Capitalize most NOUNS followed by LETTERS or NUMBERS that indicate sequence such as
article, chapter, flight, model, room, volume, and so on.

♦ Lisa is scheduled to arrive on Flight 401.

♦ We will hold next week's class in Room 1572.

10. Do not capitalize the nouns footnote, line, note, page, paragraph, size, and verse when they
are followed by letters or numbers.

♦ Please turn to page 44 and answer the questions.

♦ I have read paragraph 3 twice, and I still do not understand what the author is
saying.

1
Gigliotti, Carol C. Capitalization and Number Expression, South-Western Publishing Co., 1992.
2
Sabin, William A. The Gregg Reference Manual, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 8th Edition.
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