3. Capitalisation
Capital letters essentially have three functions: to mark the beginning of a sentence, to indicate titles and to distinguish proper nouns from other words. It is impossible to establish absolute rules for all aspects of capitalisation because it often depends on the role of a word in a sentence, the writer’s personal taste or the house style being followed. It is largely the second and third functions mentioned above – titles, and the distinction between proper nouns and other words – that lead to discrepancies in practice: authors can apply traditional or more modern approaches to title capitalisation (that is to say, maximal and minimal capitalisation, respectively), and sometimes there are differences of opinion over exactly what constitutes a proper noun and how words derived from proper nouns should be dealt with. Whatever decisions are taken, however, writers should strive to maintain consistency.
3.1 Sentence capitals
3.1.1 Beginning of a sentence
The first letter of a word that begins a sentence, or a set of words that function as a sentence, should be capitalised.
On behalf of the URV I would like to welcome you. All of you. Each and every one of you.
Also capitalise the first letter of a syntactically complete quoted sentence.
According to university regulations, “All thefts of library books must be reported to the general manager.”
3.1.2 After a colon
After a colon it is standard practice not to capitalise the first letter of the following text.
The academic year is divided into two quite distinct periods: the first and the second semesters.
If the statement introducing a vertical list is a complete sentence, close it with a colon. Then capitalise the first letter of each item of the list and close each item with a full stop, whether or not it is a complete sentence.
Students can pass the course only in the following circumstances:
- They attend 80% of all the classes.
- They hand in all the course work on time.
- They get at least 50% in the final exam in June.
Students must present the following documents:
- The official application form.
- A motivation letter.
- A photocopy of their passport.
However, if the statement introducing a vertical list is a sentence fragment, not a complete sentence, do not close it with a colon and lowercase the first letter of each item. Finish each item with a comma, except the last one, which should finish with a full stop.
Students will have more chance of successfully completing the course if
- they are given clear instructions,
- they are regularly reminded of their obligations,
- they are closely supervised.
Likewise, a capital letter is often used after a colon placed immediately after formulaic expressions in some administrative documents.
I, Mr Jack Hawkins, coordinator of the Language Service, CERTIFY:
That Ms Neus Puig Peralta attended the workshop held at this university on Saturday 14 April.
3.2 Titles
Traditionally, the titles of works published in English are given maximal capitalisation. That is to say, capitalise the first word and all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. Do not capitalise articles, conjunctions or prepositions.
The Strategic Plan for Teaching and Learning
However, the first word of a subtitle after a colon is generally capitalised, whatever part of speech it may be (see also Section 2.3.2 Other uses of colons).
Strategic Planning: An Approach to the Future
Remember, too, that when writing individual titles you can often exercise a certain amount of personal judgement. A short title, for example, may look better if words that are often lowercased are capitalised.
All About Erasmus
In the headings of document sections, however, use sentence-style capitalisation (first word and proper nouns) instead of title-style capitalisation (first word and all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs), although the exact style will also depend on the number of levels of hierarchy. Capitalise the first letter of the first word, but lowercase the rest, including the first word after a colon (except for those words that would normally be capitalised in running text).
Teaching vision
Strategic goals: a necessary evil
Core teaching values and the Dublin Declaration
The first element of a compound word is always capitalised in a title; the second element is also capitalised unless it is an article, a preposition or a coordinating conjunction.
The Role of Computer-Assisted Translation in the Internationalisation of European Universities
Greater European Integration Gets the Thumbs-up from Catalan-Speaking University Students
Second elements that are hyphenated to prefixes are capitalised only if they are proper nouns or nouns used as adjectives.
Competencies: A Comparison between Pre- and Post-Erasmus Students
Post-examination Opening Times for University Libraries
3.3 Proper nouns
3.3.1 Titles and ranks
Words for the titles and ranks of people are lowercased when they are used in a general sense or refer to the position held rather than the person. They are capitalised when they are used directly before a name, as a form of address or as a substitute for the name of the holder of the title. When titles are used in apposition to a name, they do not form part of the name and are, therefore, lowercased. Likewise, titles used to refer to a position, not a particular person, are also lowercased. The general guideline is that if the title or rank is a reference to a specific person and the person’s name could be used instead without affecting factual or grammatical accuracy, then a capital letter should be used.
In 2011, Rector Ferré was re-elected for a second four-year term of office.
Only last week, Rector, you stated that there would be no further cuts in the departmental budget.
Last week the Rector gave a speech to the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce.
The principal academic and administrative officer of a university in this country is the rector.
Dr Ferré was elected rector for the first time in the year 2007 and re-elected four years later.
Dr Ferré, rector of the University, was first elected in 2007.
In titles that are hyphenated compounds it used to be standard practice to capitalise only the first part of the compound. Nowadays, however, the tendency is to capitalise both parts.
The Vice-Rector for Academic Policy described the new reforms to the Governing Council.
The vice-rector for academic policy is responsible for making large-scale changes to degree programmes.
The title is lowercased in the second example above because it is a reference to the position of vice-rector, not to a particular person.
3.3.2 Geographical locations
Capitalise the names of all countries, towns and other geographical terms commonly accepted to be proper names.
Catalonia Barcelona the Iberian Peninsula
The names of geographical features are also capitalised. The generic term (lake, sea, river, channel, etc.) is also capitalised when it is used as part of the name.
the Mediterranean Sea
the River Francolí
Lake Banyoles
Otherwise, no capital letter is used (see Section 3.3.3 Reference).
the Mediterranean and the Baltic seas
Capitalise the initial article in a town’s name, even though it is lowercased in Catalan.
El Morell
La Floresta
L’Hospitalet de l’Infant
When you are referring to parts of cities, capitalise terms such as avinguda, carrer, carretera, passeig and plaça, even though these are lowercased in Catalan (see also Section 8.1.4 Place names).
All Erasmus Week participants should be at the underground station in Plaça de Catalunya at 9.00 a.m.
Compass directions should only be capitalised when they are part of the name of a recognised geographical or political region.
The URV has established an agreement with Queen’s University, the leading university in Northern Ireland.
The URV is the university of southern Catalonia.
3.3.3 Reference
When a reference is made to a previous mention of a capitalised proper name, the usual practice is to revert to lower case.
The Erasmus students were taken to Lake Banyoles. When they arrived, the lake was calm and serene.
The Spanish Civil War was fought between 17 July 1936 and 1 April 1939. The war began after a group of right-wing generals rose up against the Government of the Second Spanish Republic.
However, when the reference is simply a short form of the specific person, organisation, institution or event previously mentioned, capitals are used.
The Universitat Rovira i Virgili is placing great emphasis on internationalisation. The University is fully aware of the importance of this policy.
The Spanish Civil War was fought between 17 July 1936 and 1 April 1939… The Civil War became notable for the passion and political division it inspired.
Plural forms that apply one generic term to multiple names should be lowercased because the generic term is merely a descriptor and not part of the proper name.
Girona and Lleida universities
3.3.4 Dates, periods and events
Capitalise all days, months, festivals, holidays, historical periods and historical events (Wednesday, August, Easter, Saint John’s Eve, the Middle Ages, the Tragic Week), but lowercase the seasons (the autumn semester, spring enrolment, winter, summer).
3.3.5 Languages and nationalities
The names of languages and nationalities are always written with a capital letter.
The working languages of the research group are Catalan, Spanish and English.
The Basque universities have signed numerous agreements with their Catalan counterparts.
3.3.6 Official documents
The titles of laws and official documents should be capitalised.
the Single European Act
the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia
Royal Decree 1359/2003, of 21 October, on the Governance of TATT Activities
Framework Agreement of Cooperation between the University of Lleida and Queen’s University
Descriptive titles and titles used in the plural should be lowercased.
The regulation governing the administration of examinations was debated by the Senate yesterday.
The statutes of the autonomous communities were first established in the early 1980s.
3.3.7 Education
i) Subjects, courses, degrees and disciplines
The official names of all subjects, courses and degrees are capitalised. The generic terms are lowercased.
the degree in Biochemistry
the subject Communication and Culture
a master’s degree in Social Anthropology
a master of science
a bachelor’s degree
The generic term should be capitalised if it is part of the name of the course.
The Master’s Degree in Business Management offered by the Department of Economics provides students with all the skills and abilities they need to create and sustain a successful business.
The names of disciplines should be lowercased.
Although anthropology is easy to define, it is difficult to describe.
The course provides students with initial training in research into oenology and biotechnology.
ii) Chairs and knowledge areas
The official names of all chairs and knowledge areas are capitalised. The generic term is only capitalised when it is part of the official name.
The UOC’s UNESCO Chair in E-Learning is pleased to announce that its 10th International Seminar will be held next November.
The knowledge area of Scope Management ensures that the projects include only the work required to complete them successfully.
iii) Grades
Grades are capitalised.
Fail
Pass
Excellent
Distinction
A
B
iv) Academic periods
Academic periods are lowercased.
the academic year
compulsory secondary education (ESO)
the first semester
the second term
3.3.8 Public institutions and organisations
All the words, including the generic terms, that are part of the official name of public institutions, organisations, societies, associations and movements should be capitalised.
the Faculty of Chemistry
the Department of Business Management
the Language Service
the Board of Trustees
the General Directorate of Universities
When the names of organisations are in the plural or have a more general meaning, the generic terms should be lowercased.
The departments of History and Psychology are piloting a new teaching methodology.
One of the aims of a university language service is to prepare students to compete in a globalised society.
When the full name of the organisation is abbreviated by deleting a word or words, the capitals should be maintained (see Section 3.3.3 Reference).
The Department [of History] is piloting a new teaching methodology.
The University [of Barcelona] is engaged in a far-reaching process of internationalisation.
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