Title capitalization can be nuanced, and understanding whether to capitalize specific words like “with” can be crucial for maintaining consistency and professionalism in your writing. The capitalization rules for titles can differ depending on the style guide you are following. In this blog post, we will explore whether “with” should be capitalized in titles according to various style guides, including AP, AMA, APA, Bluebook, Chicago, MLA, and New York Times. We will provide examples and a summary to clarify these rules.
Title Case Basics
Title case is a capitalization style used for titles and headings where major words are capitalized while minor words are typically not. Major words include nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adjectives. Minor words include articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), and prepositions (in, on, of). The rules for minor words like “with” can vary based on their type and the style guide being used.
Understanding “With” in Title Case
The word “with” is classified as a preposition. In title case, prepositions are generally not capitalized unless they are the first or last word of the title. However, there are exceptions based on different style guides which might affect whether “with” is capitalized.
Style Guides and Title Case Rules
AP Style
The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook is widely used in journalism and media. According to AP style, prepositions of fewer than four letters are not capitalized unless they are the first or last word of the title. Since “with” is a preposition with four letters, it is capitalized in AP style. For example:
- Correct: “A Guide to Success with Effective Strategies”
- Incorrect: “A Guide to Success with effective Strategies”
AMA Style
The American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style is used in medical and scientific writing. AMA style follows a similar rule to AP, where prepositions of four letters or more, including “with,” are capitalized in titles. For example:
- Correct: “Advances with New Treatment Techniques”
- Incorrect: “Advances with new Treatment Techniques”
APA Style
The American Psychological Association (APA) Style is used in the social sciences. According to APA guidelines, you should capitalize the first word, the last word, and all major words in the title. Prepositions, including “with,” are capitalized if they are four or more letters long. Therefore, “with” is capitalized in APA style. For example:
- Correct: “Strategies for Success with Effective Communication”
- Incorrect: “Strategies for Success with effective Communication”
Bluebook Style
The Bluebook, used primarily in legal writing, follows rules similar to APA. In Bluebook style, prepositions of four letters or more, including “with,” are capitalized in titles. For example:
- Correct: “How to Win Cases with Strategic Planning”
- Incorrect: “How to Win Cases with strategic Planning”
Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style provides guidelines for both publishing and academic writing. Chicago style capitalizes prepositions of four letters or more, including “with,” in title case. For example:
- Correct: “From Theory to Practice: Working with Modern Methods”
- Incorrect: “From Theory to Practice: Working with modern Methods”
MLA Style
The Modern Language Association (MLA) Style is used in humanities and liberal arts. MLA style follows the rule of capitalizing prepositions that are four letters or longer. Thus, “with” is capitalized in MLA style. For example:
- Correct: “A Journey with Meaning and Purpose”
- Incorrect: “A Journey with meaning and Purpose”
New York Times Style
The New York Times follows a style similar to AP. Therefore, “with” is capitalized in titles because it is a four-letter preposition. For example:
- Correct: “The Benefits of Working with a Mentor”
- Incorrect: “The Benefits of working with a Mentor”
Wikipedia Style
Wikipedia’s style is generally flexible but aligns closely with APA guidelines. Prepositions of four letters or more, including “with,” are capitalized in titles. For example:
- Correct: “The Role of Technology with Modern Education”
- Incorrect: “The Role of Technology with modern Education”
Summary
In summary, “with” is typically capitalized in titles according to most style guides, including AP, AMA, APA, Bluebook, Chicago, MLA, and New York Times, because it is a preposition of four letters. By adhering to these capitalization rules, you ensure that your titles are correctly formatted and professionally presented. Understanding these nuances helps maintain consistency across various styles and ensures that your writing meets the standards expected by different audiences and publications.