As an editor, I frequently see titles that are butchered: hyphens where en dashes should be, spelling errors, usage errors, English language mishaps… Here’s one that particularly baffles me.
Sometimes authors get confused because certain style manuals call for lower casing prepositions in titles. Others, like the AMA, call for capping prepositions that are longer than three letters (“With” but “as”). As I always say, consistency is key… Authors need to stick to their style and use it at all times. The fewer the errors submitted in a raw manuscript, the slimmer the chance of those errors making it to press.
Here’s the issue. Sometimes I see the words “is” or “are” not capitalized in titles because the author is following the rule to not capitalize prepositions that are under three letters long. The problem is that these words are verbs and not prepositions. Capitalize them in titles, authors (unless, of course, your style requires that they not be).
Happy capping!
In your 2nd paragraph, last line–.
I believe you meant to type ‘of’ not ‘if.’
Yep. I drive my husband crazy because I cannot help but edit.
But, even editors make mistakes. Darn that keyboard!
Yep, ah the perils of composing blog entries on iPhone.
As well I know! Not to mention pesky spellcheckers that decide to change words into other words that they were never meant to be.
I get “so” and “do” switched out on me all the time on iPhone. It’s frustrating!
Yes, a lowercased “is” in an up-style headline makes me crazy.
I’m glad someone shares my frustration!
It seems that any two-letter word is lowercase in titles — “is,” “he,” and “it” all show up in lowercase.
Laura, where are you seeing that? According to AMA, Chicago, and some other style manuals call for capitalization of all verbs in titles. I’m sure there are other styles that have different capitalization rules for titles but I’m referring specifically to how authors are lower casing verbs by following the rules for prepositions.
I agree that “is” isn’t capitalized when it should be, but I think that may be because it is a short word and writers/editors think that short words aren’t capitalized in titles. I think that might also be why I see pronouns (like “he” and “it”) that are not capitalized in titles, even though Chicago and other style authorities say they ought to be.
Doesn’t it drive you crazy?
I think it looks ugly to capitalize “Is.” In my title, it looks better if it says “Katie Clark is Special Ed” than “Katie Clark Is Special Ed” (plus I feel like the latter makes one emphasize the word is rather than letting it get lost as it should). So I’ll keep my incorrect lack of capitalization
Maybe there are some styles in which that would be okay? I’m not entirely sure, but in AMA and Chicago it should be capped. Just sayin, dear.
I don’t know what AMA and Chicago are (only MLA exists and even that, just barely) and I am certain that you’re correct, but I have little use for your silly rules. All I know is, it looks silly. And looks are all that counts.
