Is “it’s” Capitalized in a Title? Quick Answer

Figuring out the correct way to format titles can sometimes feel like a puzzle, especially when dealing with tricky contractions like ‘it’s’. Should you capitalize it just because it’s part of a title, or does the usual grammar rule of lowercasing short words apply? Different writing style guides offer varying rules, so unravel with ease as you learn the ins and outs of title capitalization. Jump into the nuances of Chicago, MLA, APA, and AP style to confidently polish your titles to perfection.

Understanding title capitalization can be tricky, but the rules are there to help make your writing look sharp and professional. When you come across the word ‘it’s’, it’s common to wonder if it should be capitalized in a title. Let’s break it down.

Capitalization Rules for ‘It’s’

Capitalization in titles depends on which style guide you’re following. Here are guidelines from popular style guides:

• Chicago Manual of Style: Capitalize the first and last word of the title, as well as all major words in between. ‘It’s’ is considered a contraction of ‘it is’ or ‘it has’, making it a major word that should be capitalized.
• MLA Style: Similar to Chicago, major words, including contractions, should be capitalized. So, ‘It’s’ would be capitalized in a title.
• APA Style: This style capitalizes the first word of the title, proper nouns, and the first word following a colon or dash. ‘It’s’ would be capitalized only if it is the first word or follows punctuation.
• AP Style: In Associated Press style, capitalize the first word, the last word, and all words more than three letters long. ‘It’s’ fits this rule and should be capitalized.

Now, consider the title “It’s a Bright, Sunny Day.” Regardless of the style guide, ‘It’s’ is the first word and would always be capitalized. But even if it were in the middle of a title, such as “Understanding What It’s Like to Fly,” ‘It’s’ should still be capitalized according to Chicago, MLA, and AP guidelines.

Title Examples

Here are a few examples to help you visualize:

In a book title: “It’s Not Easy Being Green” (Chicago, MLA, AP)

In an article title: “Here’s Why It’s Important to Vote” (Chicago, MLA, AP)

On a research paper: “Examining How It’s Done: A Study on Bee Communication” (APA, if part of the subtitle)

Remember, when in doubt, refer to the specific style guide you’re working with. Each has a detailed section on title capitalization that will ensure your titles are correct and professional-looking.

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Conclusion

Remember, when crafting titles in the various citation styles, capitalization rules can vary, but for the word ‘it’s,’ the approach is simple. In APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, where title case is used, you’ll capitalize ‘It’s’ because it’s a contraction of ‘it is,’ and both words are important in a title. However, in AP style, which uses sentence case for titles, you might only capitalize ‘It’s’ if it’s the first word. Always double-check your style guide to ensure accuracy and to make sure your titles are polished and professional.

Thanks for reading—now go out there and craft titles with confidence!

Want to learn about more specific capitalization rules for words?

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