Understanding whether ‘on’ gets a capital boost in titles can be trickier than a chameleon in a bag of Skittles. Dive into the puzzling world of title capitalization where little words like ‘on’ sometimes puff up their chests and other times shrink away. Unpack the rules that style guides like Chicago, MLA, APA, and AP lay down, and learn how each one treats these seemingly insignificant, yet important words. Get your titles to turn heads for all the right reasons without breaking a sweat.
According to Chicago, MLA, APA, and AP writing styles, the word ‘on’ is generally not capitalized in a title unless it’s the first or last word, or part of a proper noun. Always remember, though, writing style rules can vary by organization and publication. Rule of thumb: prepositions with two or less characters are typically lowercased in titles.
Wondering if you should capitalize the word ‘on’ in a title? Well, it depends on the style guide you follow. Each has its own rules for capitalization.
General Rules on Capitalization
Most style guides agree that you should capitalize the first and last words of a title, no matter what they are. For shorter words like ‘on’, it’s the style guide that makes a difference. Let’s break it down.
Chicago Style
In Chicago Manual of Style, ‘on’ is considered a preposition, and if it’s four letters or less, you generally do not capitalize it in a title unless it’s the first or last word.
Example: Dance on a Summer’s Evening
MLA Style
Modern Language Association (MLA) style also suggests not capitalizing ‘on’ in a title unless, again, it’s the first or last word.
Example: Singing on the River Bank
APA Style
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) style, you don’t capitalize ‘on’ because it’s a preposition that’s less than four letters.
Example: Reflections on Human Behavior
AP Style
The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook is a bit different. It suggests capitalizing all prepositions of four or more letters. Since ‘on’ is just two letters, don’t capitalize it.
Example: Commentary on World Affairs
Quick tip: If you’re ever in doubt, check the specific style guide for your work. Each style has its own detailed rules, and for academic writing or professional publishing, following the right style guide is key.
Conclusion
When deciding if ‘on’ should be capitalized in a title, remember it’s all about the style guide you choose. In APA, Chicago, and MLA styles, ‘on’ is considered a preposition and is generally lowercase unless it’s the first or last word in the title. AP style capitalizes ‘on’ if it’s four letters or more, so ‘on’ stays lowercase. Stick to these simple rules to ensure your titles are perfectly polished. Your attention to detail will make your writing shine. Thanks for reading and keep refining those titling skills!
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