Capitalization Rules for Titles in Correspondence

When crafting a title or subject line for a letter or email, the decision on which words to capitalize is crucial. Historically, this was a matter of all-caps or underlining, but today, we have more options. Generally, the first word and any major words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) should be capitalized, while minor words (articles, conjunctions, and prepositions) should remain in lowercase unless they are the first word.

Capitalization Conventions in Traditional Settings

Consider the classic example: “Things May Come and Things May Go but the Art School Dance Goes on Forever”. In this context, titles and letter subjects often defaulted to all caps or underlining. However, modern practices allow for boldface or italics to highlight the title without resorting to full-caps. For instance:

Things May Come and Things May Go but the Art School Dance Goes on Forever

Here, capitalizing only the first and important words makes it easier to read and less overwhelming for the reader.

Mail and Correspondence Title Practices

In mail and correspondence, titles and subjects are crucial for distribution and filing. Proper capitalization can significantly aid in recognizing the content and managing the letter correctly. Typically, the first word should always be capitalized:

Incorrect: Theenvironmentwouldbenefitinthesavingsofpapersomewhat

Correct: The Environment Would Benefit in the Savings of Papers Somewhat

Exceptions and Style Guides

While the general rule is to capitalize the first word and major words, there are instances where this may conflict with specific style guides. If you are adhering to APA, Chicago, MLA, or any other style guide, check their specific rules for title capitalization.

For example, if you're using APA style:

APA Title Example: Should Every Word Be Capitalized in the Title of a Letter?

And if you're using Chicago Manual of Style:

Chicago Title Example: Should Every Word Be Capitalized in the Title of a Letter?

Unconventional Situations and Customization

Ultimately, the rules for capitalization in titles can depend on the specific situation. If you are dealing with an unconventional situation, you may need to invent your own rules. Observing and adapting what others do can be helpful in establishing your own conventions. For instance:

Original: The Environment Would Benefit in the Savings of Papers Somewhat

Adjusted: The Environment Would Benefit in the Saving of Papers Possibly

In this example, minor words like "of" and "in" are left lowercase unless they begin the title.

Conclusion

Title capitalization in correspondence is not a one-size-fits-all task. It depends on the situation and the style you are following. By capitalizing the first word and major words, and leaving minor words lowercase, you can create clear, easy-to-read titles that effectively convey the message of your letters or emails.