Booher's Rules of Business Grammar - Dianna Booher 2009

Name, rank, and serial number
Miscellaneous matters

CAPITALIZATION WITH TITLES AND POSITIONS

Job titles trip people up and create havoc when they’re used in a sentence. Technically, these still fit the “brand name” analogy mentioned in the last chapter. Ask yourself, is this person the only individual who will ever fill this position? If not, the usage is generic and deserves no capitalization.

Broaden your horizon from the standard few titles on a typical application form: Mr., Ms., Mrs., and Dr. The range of titles runs the gamut from CEO to chief juggler: Chairperson Bruno Bernstein, Dr. Bruno Bernstein, Director Bruno Bernstein, Maestro Bruno Bernstein, CEO Bruno Bernstein, Judge Bruno Bernstein, Vice President Bruno Bernstein. If you’re using the label as a title, it precedes the name and requires capitalization like any other ordinary title (Mr., Mrs., or Dr.).

If you’re using the label only as a position and it follows the name, don’t capitalize it:

He hired Orilla Ortega, vice president of finance, to take over in April. (a generic reference to the position she holds.)

Vice President of Finance Orilla Ortega will take over in April. (The title Vice President of Finance is used as a title before her name in lieu of Dr., Mrs., or Ms.)

Our new vice president of finance will take over in April. (a generic reference to the person without a name—not used as a title here.)

Our new vice president of finance, Orilla Ortega, will take over in April. (Vice president of finance is a generic reference to a position here; it is not used as a title because of the pronoun our and the commas around her name.)

Dr. Pudge Patel, chairman of the board, opposes the bill. (Chairman is a generic reference to the position he holds.)

Chairman of the Board Pudge Patel opposes the bill. (used as a title in front of the name, capitalized.)

Note: Here’s an exception to the rule: Capitalize position titles of state, federal, or international officials of high distinction, such as President of the United States or cabinet members. Mr. President. Madam Secretary. Also keep in mind that some organizations create their own style rules, creating their own list of “high officials.”

Memory tip

If the title precedes the name in lieu of a title such as Mr., Ms., or Dr., capitalize it. If it follows the name, don’t.