For journalists, accurately conveying titles in writing is paramount, both per AP Style guidelines and because your sources deserve to be communicated correctly.
Capitalization
- When a title precedes a name, always capitalize it. (Example: President Biden addressed the nation on the economy.) This demonstrates respect for the position and the individual holding it.
- When a job title follows a person’s name, you can lowercase it. (Example: Joe Biden, the president, outlined his economic recovery plan).
- For individuals with advanced degrees or holding positions of authority, titles like Dr., Mr., Ms., or Mrs. are typically used on the first reference. (Example: Dr. Jane Smith, a renowned economist, presented her research findings.) References afterwards in the story can use the last name or a pronoun.
- Capitalize all major words (four letters or more) within an official title, including articles (“a,” “an,” “the”) and conjunctions (“and,” “but,” “or”) if they are part of the formal title (Example: Director of Public Relations, Assistant Secretary of State).
Avoiding Ambiguity
While titles can convey respect, strive for clarity to avoid confusing your readers.
- Full Titles vs. Abbreviated Titles
- If the full title is long consider using a shortened, universally recognized version AFTER the first reference. (Example: First reference: “Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alicia Jones announced…” Subsequent reference: “Secretary Jones…” ).