Editor's Corner

Hello there, folks!

I was just kicking back, relaxing, and reading the JHA Style Guide as I like to do on a hot winter day. As I approached the section on capitalization, I thought it might be a good time for a refresher on the subject. I know we’re taught about the rules pretty early on in life, but as we get older, it becomes a bit of a problem for some. I know Germans and lawyers like to capitalize nouns in the middle of sentences, but we are not (most of us) lawyers or German, so here are some basic rules.

Capitalize the following:

• The first word of a sentence, and the pronoun “I.”
• Proper nouns. Specific names of people, places, or things, for example:
  • Person: Jamilla, Dr. Pearson, Chuck
  • Place: Specific places, like New York, Rome, State Street, Lake Michigan (but not general directions such as north)
  • Thing: Jack Henry & Associates, Microsoft Corporation, Trader Joe’s

Note: bell hooks and e.e. cummings get a pass.

• Titles and headings: Capitalize the first word, last word, and all major words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, subordinating conjunctions) in a title, and also capitalize prepositions that are five letters or longer. Do not capitalize prepositions of four or fewer letters in a title, unless:
  • The preposition is part of a verb phrase ("back up," check out," "hand out," etc.)
  • The preposition is the first or last word in the title
  • Use this site for help: Title Case Converter (don’t forget to select Chicago if you are writing for most of the groups at JH)

• Family names: Capitalize the relationship when used as a name (e.g., “Check with Mom."), but not when preceded by a possessive (e.g., "My mom like apples.").
• Days, months, holidays: Capitalize specific days, months, and holidays. Seasons are not generally capitalized.
• Titles before names:
  • Capitalize professional titles when they immediately precede a name:
    • President Lincoln
    • Dr. Abby Crabapple
    • Captain Dory
  • Do not capitalize job titles when just mentioning them as a person’s position or after their name
    • Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States
    • Abby Crabapple, is a primary care physician at Sharp.
    • Dory remains the captain, despite capsizing the ship.
• Languages and nationalities: English, Cambodian, French; Canadian, Algerian, Egyptian.

Of course, you will find exceptions, but this information should get you off to a good start. If you aren’t sure about something, you can check the JH Style Guide, or ask one of us editors!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Knowledge Enablement

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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