English Capitalization Standards

The English Capitalization Standards were introduced to ensure entry naming is uniform. It is to be used on Publication, Edition, and Work entries so that future users will have an easier time browsing a list of standardized submissions.

Capitalization Standards

1. The first and last words are always capitalized.
2. Between the first and last word of a title, capitalize all words except:
   • Articles: a, an, the
   • Conjunctions: and, but, nor, or
   • Short Prepositions (three letters or less): as, at, by, for, in, of, on, to, but, cum, mid, off, per, qua, re, up, via -- except when used as adverbs or as an inseparable part of a verb
   • the Infinitive: to
3. In compounds formed by hyphens, capitalize each part exactly as if they were a separate word.
4. Capitalize contractions and slang consistent with the rules above to the extent that such clearly apply. For example, do not capitalize o' for "of", 'n' or n' for "and."

Special Case

The word O'Clock is to have both "O" and "Clock" capitalized.

Examples

1. Rule 1
   • Don Quixote
   • Great Expectations
   • Animal Farm
2. Rule 2
   • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
   • The Pursuit of Love
   • The Call of the Wild
   • Lord of the Flies
   • Pride and Prejudice
   • How to Win Friends and Influence People
   • Lake of the Long Sun
   • Better Than Before
   • The Sun Also Rises
   • There Will Be Blood
3. Nouns
   • The Book Thief
   • Of Mice and Men
   • The Portrait of a Lady
4. Verbs
   • Things Fell Apart
   • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
   • As I Lay Dying
5. Adjectives
   • The Old Man and the Sea
   • The Golden Compass
   • Brave New World
   • The Great Gatsby
   • Where the Wild Things Are
6. Adverbs
   • The Lovely Bones
   • The Very Hungry Caterpillar
   • Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close