Bellevue College’s guidelines for titles, faculty references, and composition titles ensure clarity and professionalism in writing. From when to capitalize a title to how to format the name of a book, here’s everything you need to know.
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Titles: A Quick Guide
Bellevue College’s guidelines for titles, faculty references, and composition titles ensure clarity and professionalism in writing. From when to capitalize a title to how to format the name of a book, here’s everything you need to know.
Titles and Names
Capitalize Before a Name
Titles are capitalized when they appear directly before a person’s name.
- Correct: President Jane Smith attended the meeting.
- Correct: Dr. Michael Chen gave the keynote address.
Lowercase After a Name or Alone
When a title follows a name or stands alone, it should be in lowercase.
- Correct: Jane Smith, president of Bellevue College, gave the opening speech.
- Correct: The president announced new campus initiatives.
Preferred Placement
When a title consists of more than one word, it’s generally better to place it after the name.
- Correct: Lisa Tran, director of financial aid, presented at the event.
- Incorrect: Director of Financial Aid Lisa Tran presented at the event.
Abbreviations for Formal Titles
Use abbreviations for titles such as Dr., Gov., Lt. Gov., Rep., the Rev., Sen., and certain military designations when they precede a full name.
- Correct: Gov. Maria Torres signed the bill.
- Incorrect: Governor Maria Torres signed the bill.
Faculty References
Faculty as a Collective Noun
When referring to the faculty as a group, treat it as a singular noun with a singular verb.
- Correct: The Bellevue College faculty is committed to student success.
Faculty Members as Individuals
Use “faculty members” with a plural verb to refer to multiple individuals within the faculty.
- Correct: Faculty members from the Nursing Department are attending the conference.
Composition Titles
Use Quotation Marks
Titles of books, movies, songs, shows, and works of art should be enclosed in quotation marks.
- Correct: Students are reading “The Great Gatsby” in their literature class.
- Correct: Tonight, we’ll watch “Inception.”
Exceptions Without Punctuation
Holy books, reference books, software, and video game titles are not enclosed in quotation marks or italicized.
- Correct: Refer to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary for more details.
- Correct: Many students use Canvas to submit their assignments.
Why It’s Important
Consistent formatting of titles and names helps ensure clarity and demonstrates professionalism. Whether you’re writing about a faculty member, referencing a book, or noting a collective group, following these rules creates polished and effective communication.
For more details, visit the Bellevue College Style Guide. It’s all about putting the right emphasis in the right places!
Last Updated January 9, 2025