Documents
Traditionally, the titles of documents in English are given maximal capitalization. That is to say, capitalize the first word and all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions or prepositions.
However, the first word of a subtitle after a colon is generally capitalized, whatever part of speech it may be (see also Other uses in the section on punctuation).
Remember, too, that when writing individual titles, you can often exercise a certain amount of personal judgement. A short title, for example, may look better if words that are often lowercased are capitalized.
In the headings of document sections, however, use sentence-style capitalization (first word and proper nouns) instead of title-style capitalization (first word and all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs), although the exact style will also depend on the number of levels of hierarchy. Capitalize the first word, but lowercase the rest, including the first word after a colon (except for those words that would normally be capitalized in running text).
The first element of a compound word is always capitalized in a title; the second element is also capitalized unless it is an article, a preposition or a coordinating conjunction.
Second elements that are hyphenated to prefixes are capitalized only if they are proper nouns.
Publications
Capitalize and set in italics the titles of all sorts of published works (books, theses, audiovisual material, journals, paintings, etc.).
However, only capitalize the first word of the titles of articles, chapters and other sections of a publication, and enclose them in inverted commas.
For other issues of use of italics, see the explanation about the titles of books, journals and other publications in Italics.
Traditionally, the titles of documents in English are given maximal capitalization. That is to say, capitalize the first word and all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions or prepositions.
 | The Strategic Plan for Teaching and Learning |
However, the first word of a subtitle after a colon is generally capitalized, whatever part of speech it may be (see also Other uses in the section on punctuation).
| Strategic Planning: An Approach to the Future |
Remember, too, that when writing individual titles, you can often exercise a certain amount of personal judgement. A short title, for example, may look better if words that are often lowercased are capitalized.
| All About Erasmus |
In the headings of document sections, however, use sentence-style capitalization (first word and proper nouns) instead of title-style capitalization (first word and all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs), although the exact style will also depend on the number of levels of hierarchy. Capitalize the first word, but lowercase the rest, including the first word after a colon (except for those words that would normally be capitalized in running text).
| Teaching vision |
| Strategic goals: a necessary evil |
| Core teaching values and the Dublin Declaration |
The first element of a compound word is always capitalized in a title; the second element is also capitalized unless it is an article, a preposition or a coordinating conjunction.
| The Role of Computer-Assisted Translation in the Internationalization of European Universities |
| Greater European Integration Gets the Thumbs-up from Catalan-Speaking University Students |
Second elements that are hyphenated to prefixes are capitalized only if they are proper nouns.
| Competences: A Comparison between Pre- and Post-Erasmus Students |
| Post-examination Opening Times for University Libraries |
Publications
Capitalize and set in italics the titles of all sorts of published works (books, theses, audiovisual material, journals, paintings, etc.).
| the book Landscapes: A Guide to University Architecture |
| the thesis Fabrication of Bulk and Interdigitated Solar Cells |
| the film American Beauty |
| the Pink Floyd album The Dark Side of the Moon |
| the journal Analytical Chemistry |
| Salvador Dalí’s painting The Persistence of Memory |
| Harold Pinter’s play The Birthday Party |
However, only capitalize the first word of the titles of articles, chapters and other sections of a publication, and enclose them in inverted commas.
| The research group wrote the article entitled “The dynamics of charge carriers”. |
| Before the next class, please read the chapter “Revising prose structure and style”. |
For other issues of use of italics, see the explanation about the titles of books, journals and other publications in Italics.
Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics
Darrera actualització: 30-5-2024
Recommended citation:
«Titles» [en línia]. A: Llibre d’estil de la Universitat de Barcelona. Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona. Serveis Lingüístics. <https://www.ub.edu/llibre-estil/criteri.php?id=2336> [consulta: 24 novembre 2024].
