Many writers, both on and off Helium, struggle with writing titles for people. As mentioned in our other AP style tips post about writing numbers, AP style is not something which comes naturally. However, with enough practice it will become second-nature.

Here are some tips about writing titles for occupations and positions of authority for people:

Use lowercase when writing president, pope, king or queen, when it is not included with the individual’s name. Also use lowercase and spell out titles when separated by commas.

Example: The president will hold a press conference today at noon. The king and queen had a celebration in honor of their son getting married. The vice president, Hannibal Hamlin, followed President Lincoln faithfully.

Capitalize  the formal title if it precedes the individual’s name.

Example: President Nixon decided to resign from the presidency. Pope Jean Paul gave his blessing. Senator McCarthy is in favor of this bill.

How does one know if it is a formal title or not?

AP style dictates that a formal title is generally one that signifies some form of authority, academic achievement or professional position. These include titles such as president, senator, doctor, or colonel.

Other titles aid in providing occupational representations: teacher John Laquidara, actress Reese Witherspoon, graphic designer Jeff Smith.

If you’re unsure as to whether the title is formal or simply an occupational representation, simply use it in the manner mentioned above with commas: The brewer, Jim Kosh, is famous for his hoppy ales.

Title should also be separated with commas if the title is unusually long. Susan Harrison, the professional hip hop dancer for the NBA league, attended.

By taking the time to learn AP style, your writing style will improve as well as your credibility as a quality writer.

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