Here’s how to follow Bellevue College’s style standards for titles, faculty references, and composition titles.
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Here’s how to follow Bellevue College’s style standards for titles, faculty references, composition titles, and time notation.
Capitalizing Titles Based on Positioning
Titles are capitalized when they appear directly before a person’s name, as in:
- President Jane Smith visited the campus Friday.
However, when a title follows the name or stands alone without a specific name, it should remain lowercase:
- Juan Gonzalez, president of Bellevue College, visited the campus Friday.
- The president visited the campus Friday.
For clarity, the Bellevue College style guide prefers titles to follow names, especially if the title contains multiple words:
- Manon Marquax, director of marketing and alumni relations, designed the poster.
Abbreviations for Specific Titles
In formal writing, certain titles are abbreviated when placed before a full name. These include Dr., Gov., Lt. Gov., Rep., the Rev., Sen., and some military titles. For example:
- Dr. Samantha Lee gave a lecture on campus.
- Sen. Mark Kim attended the event.
Referring to Faculty as a Group or Individuals
The term “faculty” serves as a collective noun, taking a singular verb when referring to the academic body as a whole:
- Bellevue College’s faculty teaches a variety of students each quarter.
When referring to individual faculty members, use “faculty members” with a plural verb to clarify that more than one person is involved:
- Faculty members in Interior Design are organizing a gallery viewing.
Formatting Titles of Compositions and Works of Art
To designate titles of compositions—such as books, movies, songs, shows, and artwork—use quotation marks:
- Your assignment is to read “The Tell-Tale Heart” tonight.
- Students watched “Citizen Kane” in class.
Notably, some titles stand without quotation marks or other punctuation. These include holy books like the Bible, the Quran, and the Torah, as well as reference materials, software, video games, and sculptures:
- You may refer to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary for additional information.
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.
Last Updated November 8, 2024