Next post: Make blog post content rich with layers, Previous post: Blog Post Format: Chunk It. Judy Vorfeld Oppress means to persecute/tyrannize/bully. Example: Hampton, Va. See the stylebook for specific abbreviations. Cite it. Finally, should you capitalize the first letter of each entry in a vertical list? In APA 7, you have two options for punctuating bulleted phrases: to include no punctuation after each list item and after the last list item or to include commas or semicolons, as appropriate, after each list item and final punctuation at the end of the list. Title case is also commonly used for book titles, movies titles, song names, plays, and other works. Bulleted lists. The top tabs allow you to select which style of capitalization you want to use. This will automatically indent the list as well. Creating a free account also gives you access to historical stylebooks, writing guidelines and handbooks produced by The Associated Press, dating back to June 1900. Published: November 13, 2012 Updated: August 22, 2020. For example, are newspapers italicized? Sixth and Seventh streets). And if youd like any more help with the punctuation and capitalization of lists in a document, dont forget we have proofreaders available 24/7! The MLA's guidelines for styling vertical lists are derived from The Chicago Manual of Style (6.127-132). Ordered lists that are part of an incomplete introductory sentence are lowercased and punctuated as if each item was inside the sentence.5, The animal shelters most generous donors were, 2. local businesses, including the hardware store, grocery store, and coffee shop; and. A: Lowercase the compass point - central Louisiana -- unless it's a widely known section, as in Southern California or South Florida. A: AP uses dashes, not bullets, for lists in news stories that follow a colon. You can quickly convert your text or title to all caps by selecting the UPPER button on the tool. Lowercase indefinite and definite articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions, and prepositions. Ive updated. Capitalize the first word in a bullet point and the introduction to the list, but not the rest. This is a grammar guide that accompanies our post on how to write better bullet points. Dont use a period after bullet lists that are not complete sentences or do not complete the opening stem sentence. And consistency goes a long way in creating clear, credible content. Please try again. A: Use Arabic figures to indicate decades of history: the 1920s, the '80s Figures, numerals, dimensions (7-year-old boy; three years ago; 1 percent; third grade; size 9; 6-by-8-foot rug; 5 ounces; 68,000-square-foot facility). In a simple series, AP doesn't use a comma before the last item. Important Note: If you follow The Associated Press Stylebook (AP style), see the Style Guide Alert at the bottom of this post for clarification on AP styles recommendations for unordered lists, which differ from the general guidelines explained below. EPA follows the AP rule after the dash or bullet: capitalize the first letter and use periods at the end of each section. In general, capitalize formal titles used directly before a name. Subscribe to AP Stylebook Online: AP Stylebook Online is a searchable, customizable guide for writers and editors that is updated throughout the year. Numbered lists (as noted on p. 64 of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association) can be used to denote items in a series, such as conclusions or procedural steps. The Associated Press Stylebook says when writing lists use periods, not semicolons, at the end of each section, whether it is a full sentence or a phrase.. Bulleted lists help make information more scannable and easier to understand. If the elements are complex, uses commas for all. Input your member identification number. Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: AP style, APA style, Chicago style, formatting, grammar, MLA style, punctuation. Vertical lists are set apart from the surrounding text and are usually prefaced with bullets or sequential numbers or letters. (AP Style reminds writers that it is still correct to use bullets if preferred.) Quick Links: How to Use Capitalize My Title, What to Capitalize in a Title (What Is Title Case, What Is Sentence Case), Title Capitalization Rules by Style (APA, Chicago, AP, MLA, BB, AMA, NY Times, Wikipedia). These include short words and conjunctions: The other major type of title capitalization standard is sentence case. I was a fan until I realized it wasn't AP Style, all hail AP Style Honorable mention a.m. and p.m. - That's how they're used. A: A few examples: Radar, Laser, NATO, OPEC. social connection, in which people text as a way to connect with others; escapism, in which people text to get away from dull or uncomfortable situations such as waiting in line; distraction, in which people text to distract themselves while having a conversation with someone or being in a meeting; audacity, in which people text to get a response from someone, such as to break up with them or ask them on a date; nurturing, in which people text to foster relationships by saying things like good morning or I love you; and. AP Style: Sentence Fragments and Capitalization Finally, let's look at Associated Press style. A colon can introduce a long quotation or one of more than one sentence, because it says to a reader: "There's more coming here than you thought. Bulleted lists. Learn how your comment data is processed. Q: Is clarity essentially the only rule determining when a serial comma should be included? Q: Is there a standard AP style for bulleted areas of text? Capitalization and end punctuation depend on the type of list and the contents of the list. So long as your capitalization rules remain consistent in your organizations communications, youre golden. Bonus: We have some great shortcuts to make your life easier. Stay with us.". Problem solved. Home Style and Grammar Guidelines Lists Lists Just as heading structure alerts readers to the order of ideas in a paper, lists help readers understand a related set of key points within a sentence or paragraph. Garner's Modern American Usage inserts periods at the end of bullet lists only if the bullet list begins with a capital letter. Punctuation (commas; quotation marks; colon; semi-colon; ellipsis ). A: AP uses hyphenated e- for generic terms such as e-commerce and e-strategies. Take the sentence "She has decided: She won't have surgery to hide the scar.". It is intended as a guide to common PR Team style and . Below is a description of the ways you can use our case converter. Avoid a mix. A: As a descriptive term, doctorate in psychology is lowercase. Follow the same capitalization rules you would follow for normal sentences. The buttons at the bottom let you choose specific case conversion options for the various styles. All rights reserved. A: AP stories use PHP, Ajax, XML, FTP search engine optimization click-through rate pay-per-click. See APA 7, Section 6.52 for examples and more information. Zip Airline offers A) Begin each bullet with the same part of speech (noun, verb, adjective) It is very common to use action verbs (also known as dynamic verbs) to begin each item in a bulleted list. Unfortunately, many brands forego style guides and choose to wing . People who grew up in the 1980s watched a lot of television, including: If you arent a strict follower of AP style, consider using the general guidelines explained in the sections above instead of those outlined in this alert box. Lower is default; upper is special. Alternatively, you can use our tool to convert text from lowercase to uppercase by clicking the UPPER button. When to Use a Colon With Capitalization: The puppy left a trail of destroyed items in his wake: shredded papers, mangled stuffed animals and what looked like the remains of a shoe. 28 0 obj <> endobj Bullets Associated Press style is to use dashes, not bullets, for lists that follow a colon. Another easy decision. Geography, addresses (state names, regions: Mideast; Northwest; northeast Minnesota; 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.; Fifth Avenue ). How to Create Bulleted Lists in Microsoft Word, How to Create and Modify Numbered Lists in Microsoft Word, How to Create Custom Bullets in Microsoft Word, Parallel StructureThe Secret to Beautiful Bullet Points. Capitalize the first word of the title/heading and of any subtitle/subheading, Capitalize all major words (nouns, verbs including. Quickly convert your title or text to sentence case by simply clicking the Sentence case button in the tool above. Erin Wright, 20122023. . Numbered lists may appear with or without the period after the number. Grammar (essential vs. nonessential clauses; pronouns; subject-verb agreement ), Q: I'm confused on the use of "that" and "who" when talking about groups. AP and Chicago Manual of Style - capitalize initial word and use periods after sentence list items. A: Use "that" for a thing, "who" for the personal pronoun, although "that" also fits some human references. ap style bulleted lists capitalization veterinary ophthalmologist santa barbara June 22, 2022 flood banks advantages and disadvantages montana national guard jobs ap style bulleted lists capitalization veterinary ophthalmologist santa barbara June 22, 2022 flood banks advantages and disadvantages montana national guard jobs ap style bulleted lists She excels at designing customized business writing training programs to maximize productivity, advance business objectives, and convey complex information. Example: You will not be accepted if you have been diagnosedwith: RECOMMENDATION: If youre creating along document full of bulleted items, you may choose to be consistent and end each item with aperiod. A 2-5 p.m.) and when to use the word "to"? Chicago Manual of Style does not. Only use it to avoid ambiguity, if part of the series contains a conjunction or if you have a complex series of phrases. driving, in which people text while in their vehicle (Schroeder & Sims, 2018). As with so many things in the English language, capitalization with colons can be complex, and many times, it's more of a style issue than one of correctness. Lowercase to in the infinitive (though not defined in the stylebook). Next, identify a newsworthy angle and set up your press release's header section. A: Veterans benefits, lowercase and not a possessive, is usually a descriptive term. hn7_@os@`v6Y8m.sSWloK6]G\#4:RsJ.Sv1b0',K4;mgbj\l~}7N|7W}v0qp}_n]QQL~yNy?NQ2*yZ_p@PnCx'q%6\zr0nqfopzpyb"uGh7? Q: Should the names of decades be capitalized when written out? I like oranges. Abbreviations, acronyms (24/7; NATO; laser; U.S.; No. No italics. Everyone loves a vertical list. You can also use this tool to do it automatically. Words that should not be capitalized include: I the word Cocaine supposed to be capitalized? The huge difference is that AP colon rules allow you to use a colon after a sentence fragment. A: AP headlines cap only first word and proper names or proper abbreviations. Some guiding principles behind AP style are: Consistency Clarity Accuracy Brevity AP style also aims to avoid stereotypes and unintentionally offensive language. It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. Enter the email you used in your Ragan store purchase. A: AP uses the numeral for acres, even when less than 10, as a dimension: 5 acres. Each of these capitalization styles has slightly different rules for which words are capitalized and each of these styles can be written using title case capitalization or sentence case capitalization. Example: The software in this price range offers many excellent features: RULE: When one item contains acomplete sentence, punctuate all bulleted items as though they were complete sentences: capitalize the beginning words and use aperiod at the end of each item. My name is Erin. If you want to change your title from uppercase to title case, you can select the Title Case button above. x]0)} N "d/J]g<3gcyY?9Y\}xLgH*vVQ8e[!}mg%O*~OqoEhe9k=~o^p{?~7?ZOu6ImR)Gow=\JrP Now we have bullets. Note however that it is not wrong to capitalize a sentence or clause after a colon. AP uses dashes, not bullets, for lists in news stories that follow a colon. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Erin Wright with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. AP style is actually not capitalized, though AP Stylebook is. A: In a simple series, AP doesn't use a comma before the last item. However, clear bullet list punctuation adds visual scan-ability to your business writing. Lowercase articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions, and prepositions. Inconsistent punctuation; Sometimes the grammar isn't parallel between items. This is ultimately a matter of stylistic preference. This is another case where there are no hard rules! For more AP style tips, watch Grammar Girls Beginning and Intermediate Guide to AP Style any time. Infants are happy to participate in normal household chores, such as cleaning up. persistent psychological distress (Glozier et al., 2010; Lund et al., 2010). Capitalize every word in the headline; the main subhead is a complete sentence with a period. Watch your title convert case and be automatically capitalized! 1+ 803-479-5092 ntuten@getitwriteonline.com We wont send you spam. Include the dateline - BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Jan. 1, 2022; . This will uncapitalize your text. However, in regard to headlines, is it now true that press release headlines should be in sentence case? Bulleted lists: Capitalize the first letter after the bullet. However, Garner qualifies this: "If you begin each item with a lowercase letter, put a semicolon at the end of each item, use and after the next-to-last item, and put a period after the last item." This is a tricky one for me because, personally, I agree with you. 8. Now we have bullets. Whether youre writing an essay, email, or cover letter, youll likely use parentheses. This option is helpful for complex or longer bulleted sentences that may be more difficult to read without the aid . Read this and other articles on English grammar, mechanics, and usage at Get It Write. How about AP? hbbd```b``"A$dH\8'$XM7"$c[D& j@H2w 2+: Use periods, not semicolons, at the end of each section or a phrase." This is clear, but AP doesn't fully address when to omit a period at the end of each bullet. If bulleted items are complete sentences, begin each item with a capital letter and finish it with a period or other appropriate punctuation. Capitalize nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, and subordinate conjunctions. Semicolons Use in Lists: Items with Internal Punctuation By virtue of their formatting, numbered lists stand . You should always use a colon before a bulleted or numbered list. If you feel punctuation does not matter, consider the impact of punctuation in these bullet lists: 2023 Instructional SolutionsRefund Policy | Terms | Privacy Policy. This post links directly to APA Style topics of interest that users may not even know exist on the website. Q: Do music groups take singular verbs, as do collective nouns, or plural verbs, as with sports teams? Young adults have many motivations for texting on their smartphones: Further information about bulleted lists is available in the Publication Manual, including how to format lists of definitions in a glossary. The Gregg Reference Manual(Sabin). Please enable JavaScript and visit again! So many choices to make! The Associated Press Stylebook (AP style) recommends prefacing unordered lists with dashes instead of bullets, although bullets are an acceptable choice for some publications.AP style also recommends punctuating complete and incomplete introductory sentences with a colon and capitalizing the first word in each list item as well as punctuating nouns, pronouns, verbs. To help, weve prepared a guide to punctuating and capitalizing bullet points. Q: What is AP's style on the military's don't ask, don't tell policy? Punctuation In Not quite. When writing an argumentative essay, you would typically research a topic and adopt a certain How to Punctuate and Capitalize Bullet Points. Now check your email to confirm your subscription for My Blog Editor blog alerts. AP follows two broad rules for capitalization: Common names are not capitalized unless part of a proper name (the river vs. the Thames River). If numbers arent essential, use bullets, especially in business documents. In business writing, capitalize the first letter and keep bullet list punctuation clean. AP style provides consistent guidelines for such publications in terms of grammar, spelling, punctuation and language usage. Q: In a news story, can you start a sentence with an acronym? A: Lowercase for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, hepatitis C, etc. Complete sentences introducing ordered lists are traditionally punctuated with a colon. The art instructor assigned three projects for the spring semester: 2. A: AP lowercases civil rights movement. Chicago Style is one of the most used and respected headline capitalization methods used in journalism. While the APs guidelines on this issue are straightforward and easy to remember, they are designed for news publications dealing with limited space and the technical limitations of news wire transmissions. Microsoft and Gregg would capitalize flat and sharp if they appeared in a title (unlike Rule 2). Examples: House Cleaning Tips: Remove items from shelves before dusting. We updated guidance on how to write about U.S. and international currency. Fax: 205-921-5595 2131 Military Street S Hamilton, AL 35570 View Location Initial capitalization is preferred for list items that are complete sentences ( Example B) or stand-alone phrases (Examples C and D ). Lists Introduced with a Complete Sentence It makes it easier for your reader. Numbered and unnumbered lists are more commonly used in scholarly publications. Thank you, Sarah! Possessive versus descriptive Q: A months confinement or a month's confinement? Below are examples of vertical listswhich may be unnumbered, numbered, or bulletedand how to introduce, punctuate, and capitalize them. In sentence case, only the first word and all proper nouns are capitalized, as shown in the following example: One more day of extreme heat for East Coast Bullets normally preface unordered list items.7. The most accepted style guide in business writing and web publishing is the AP Stylebook. If you have questions, read our. Learn more about how to write better bullet lists. If your bulleted list is part of the sentence and is not preceded by a colon, treat the bullets like a part of the sentence, adhering to standard capitalization and punctuation. and Ph.D. See "doctor" for an explanation of Dr. as a title for medical doctor on first reference. TITLES . Use either all full sentences in your bullet lists or all fragments. hb```"3VTa`0p4 )x3JH2HgQW(Iz8Nul i@fP!40XE&,0e0v`do`6c $X1)`U&y[#b s .6[ If necessary, rewrite the list item so that all items begin with capital letters or all items begin with lowercase words. A colon adds emphasis, too. Q: Why is "doctorate in psychology" not capped, but "Bachelor of Arts" is? AP has a few punctuation rules that differ from many common style guides: Do not use a comma before the last item in a simple series ("My favorite candy includes Snickers, Twix and Zagnut bars."). Clarity and consistency are the building blocks of great content. Lowercase and spell out when not used with an individual name: The president issued a statement. Gently tap the lid against a hard surface. A: a month's confinement, per the QUASI POSSESSIVES section of the "possessives" entry. Capitalization Begin each item in a list with a capital letter unless there's a reason not to (for example, it's a command that's always lowercase). Considering those rules, these hyphenated words would all be correctly capitalized in titles: In the list above, up, in, on, off, and out are adverbs-not prepositions. 7.2.15 New section added on when to capitalize names of degree programs. Example: There are anumber of tags used in HTML, including: RULE: Its not necessary to use periods after short phrases or single words in alist, if the introductory statement is grammatically complete (see below) or if the listed items are like those on an inventory sheet or ashopping list. Symbols such as small circles, squares, dashes, and so forth may be used for the bullets. Very helpful stuff! endstream endobj 32 0 obj <>stream Subscribe to the My Blog Editor blog for the latest TIPS on improving the QUALITY of your business content. Bullet point structure Don't mix and match sentence structures. Title case is the most common form of title and headline capitalization and is found in all four major title capitalization styles. Don't use a bulleted list for only one item. Please list your allergies and give date of last flare-up. (Just like this bullet list youre reading now.). Garner calls this "vertical lists punctuated as a sentence." Capitalize the important words in the title, Subordinating conjunctions (when fewer than 5 letters), Coordinating Conjunctions (and, but, for), Capitalize nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs (including. Write a strong thesis statement, compose the body of your essay, complete the introduction, and. But here are a few things you might not realize are actually lowercase in AP style. Ordered lists can be introduced by a complete or incomplete sentence and are typically prefaced by numbers1 or letters2 followed by a period. Common Style Guidelines Mary founded Instructional Solutions in 1998, and is an internationally recognized business writing trainer and executive writing coach with two decades of experience helping thousands of individuals and businesses master the strategic skill of business writing. in English from the University of Rhode Island, an M.A. Thanks for the comment, Anna. . If you left caps lock on accidentally, you can quickly convert your title from uppercase to lowercase by selecting the lower button above. Whether a numbered list is being used when a bullet list would be more appropriate, or vice versa, In business writing, yes, use a colon at the end of the introductory stem sentence. Q: Veteran's Benefits, Veterans Benefits or Veterans' Benefits? Over 1.5 million copies sold! Dates, time, eras (July 4, 2008; 9 a.m.; the Great Depression ), Q: When referring to a time span, I never know when to use a dash to separate the two times (ex. All style guides agree to capitalize the first letter of the bullet list unless you opt for the "vertical lists punctuated as a sentence" format using semicolons, illustrated above.