Capitalization plays an important role in presenting clear, professional writing. Based on Merriam-Webster’s foundational rules, Bellevue College’s capitalization guidelines offer specific instructions for departments, programs, and events.
Capitalization: A Quick Guide
Capitalization plays an important role in presenting clear, professional writing. Based on Merriam-Webster’s foundational rules, Bellevue College’s capitalization guidelines offer specific instructions for departments, programs, and events. Here’s an organized guide to mastering these rules.
Departments, Offices, and Academic Subjects
Capitalize the full, official name of a college department or office, but use lowercase when referring to an academic subject or general field of study.
- She works in the Office of Student Affairs.
- He is studying psychology.
This distinction helps readers differentiate between official designations and general areas of study.
Agencies, Boards, and Committees
Capitalize the complete, official name of agencies, boards, and committees on the first mention. When referring to them in general terms afterward, lowercase is appropriate.
- The Bellevue College Academic Standards Committee reviewed the policy. The committee will vote next month.
- The Federal Aviation Administration released a new report, which the administration will discuss at the conference.
Using lowercase for subsequent references creates a more streamlined reading experience, while capitalization on first mention adds emphasis.
Course Titles, Named Awards, and Programs
Capitalize specific course titles, named awards, and programs, following the format of official titles. General fields of study, however, remain lowercase.
- She registered for Principles of Microeconomics.
- He received the Scholar of the Year Award at the ceremony.
- The Global Health Initiative provides valuable internships.
This approach highlights formal titles while keeping general references simple.
Titles and Headings
For titles and headings, capitalize all major words and lowercase words of three letters or fewer—unless they start or end the title. This method emphasizes key elements without over-capitalizing minor connecting words.
- War and Peace
- To the Lighthouse
This rule applies to headings, book titles, and event names, creating emphasis without excess capitalization.
Quarters and Seasons
In narrative text, lowercase is used when referring to quarters or seasons, such as “winter quarter.” However, capitalize quarters when they’re part of a title or header for emphasis.
- Registration opens for winter quarter in December.
- Winter 2024 Enrollment Begins Soon
About the Bellevue College Style Guide
Bellevue College has recently updated its editorial standards, ensuring consistency and clarity in all written communications across campus. These guidelines are essential for maintaining a unified voice, making our communications easier to understand, and reflecting professionalism in all publications, whether it’s a campus-wide announcement, a department newsletter, or social media content.
Following a consistent style ensures that our readers—students, faculty, staff, and the wider community—receive clear, accessible information. Bellevue College primarily follows the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, with some customizations to meet our specific needs.
Through this blog series, we’ll dive into various components of the style guide, helping writers and editors across campus understand how to apply these standards effectively in their work.
Last Updated October 31, 2024