Names+and+Terms


 * CHAPTER 7: NAMES, TITLES AND TERMS**

7.2 General Rules For Names
> ==7.2.1 Capitalization== > ==7.2.2 Generic Names== > ==7.2.3 Kinship Names== > ==7.2.4 Real and Metaphorical Names== > ==7.2.5 Words Derived from Proper Names== > ==7.2.6 Institutional Names==

7.3 English Names
> ==7.3.1 Names With Particles== > ==7.3.2 Hyphenated Names==

7.4 Foreign Names
> ==7.4.1 French Names== > ==7.4.2 Spanish Names== > ==7.4.3 Chinese and Japanese Names==

7.5 Titles
> ==7.5.1 General Rules For Titles== > ==7.5.2 Titles in Apposition== > ==7.5.3 Corporate and Organizational Titles==

7.6 Terms
> ==7.6.1 Ethnic Groups== > ==7.6.2 Cultural Periods== > ==7.6.3 Cultural Movements and Styles== > ==7.6.4 Geographic Locations== > ==7.6.5 Rooms or Offices==

7.7 Academia
> ==7.7.1 Academic Subjects== > ==7.7.2 Lectures==

=7.1 INTRODUCTION=

Names and terms are one of the stickier subjects in technical editing. Numerous guidelines apply, and even seasoned editors may not know them all. In addition, context is critical, as is consistency. Throughout the copy, the same rules should be followed--and the great number of such rules makes it rather easy to lose one's way. Still, consistency in editing--particularly with regards to small but important items like names and terms--enhances readability and comprehension in the audience of any technical or academic work.

In this chapter, just some of the many rules governing the use of names and terms in technical and academic copy will be discussed. The chapter includes: names of people and places, events, corporations, professional and academic titles, corporate and organizational titles, ethnic and foreign names, and institutional names. This chapter takes the form of rules and then examples--both before and after corrections--in order to illustrate proper usage rather than simply describing it.

=7.2 GENERAL RULES FOR NAMES=

=7.2.1 Capitalization=

Names of real or fictitious people should be capitalized, although preferences such as {//e. e. cummings//} may be respected unless beginning a sentence. Initials should be spaced in the same fashion as first and last names, and periods should always be used unless writing initials alone.


 * TABLE 7.1.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * __C.S. Lewis__ is the author of //The Chronicles of Narnia//, a series of seven fantasy novels for children. || __C. S. Lewis__ is the author of //The Chronicles of Narnia//, a series of seven fantasy novels for children. ||
 * L.B.J. was the 36th President of the United States. || LBJ was the 36th President of the United States. ||

For more information see Chicago 8.6. =7.2.2 Generic Names=

Some official names contain a descriptive generic word (like with Columbia University). When using the names in abbreviated fashion for a second mention, the generic word may be used alone and lowercased.


 * TABLE 7.2.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Rutgers University offers a course in Advanced Calculus. However, the __University__ requires students to first take Introduction to Calculus. || Rutgers University offers a course in Advanced Calculus. However, the __university__ requires students to first take Introduction to Calculus. ||

For more information see Chicago 8.3. =7.2.3 Kinship Names=

Kinship names should always be lowercased, unless they immediately follow a given name or are used alone. Pet names, however, should always be lowercase.

For more information see Chicago 8.39.
 * TABLE 7.3.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * After he left for work in the morning, his dog, __Spot__, became bored and chewed through a table leg. || After he left for work in the morning, his dog, __spot__, became bored and chewed through a table leg. ||
 * I wrote a long letter to my __uncle__ Allan, but I spoke to my __Mother and Father__ personally. || I wrote a long letter to my __Uncle__ Allan, but I spoke to my __mother and father__ personally. ||

=7.2.4 Real and Metaphorical Names=

Terms that have descriptive as well as official meaning should take their cue for capitalization from the context.

For more information see Chicago 8.54
 * TABLE 7.4.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Thomas More’s book, __Utopia__, depicts a fictional island’s society and its social and political rules. The __Utopia__ depicted in __Utopia__ may be contrasted with the political circumstances of our own time. || Thomas More’s book, __Utopia__, depicts a fictional island’s society and its social and political rules. The __utopia__ depicted in __Utopia__ may be contrasted with the political circumstances of our own time. ||

=7.2.5 Words Derived from Proper Names=

Adjectives derived from personal names should be capitalized.

Often, such an adjective may be created by adding the suffix ”//ian//” (to a name ending in a consonant) or “//an//” (to a name ending in //e// or //i//).

For more information see Chicago 8.64 and 8.65.
 * TABLE 7.5.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * The term __machiavellian__ describes one who deceives and manipulates others for gain. || The term __Machiavellian__ describes one who deceives and manipulates others for gain. ||

=7.2.6 Institutional Names=

Institutional names should be capitalized. However, names with unique or unusual capitalization should be respected if such a format is the choice of the organization.

For more information see Chicago 8.74
 * TABLE 7.6.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Professor Elliot advised to his students to buy the textbook on __E-Bay__ or on __Amazon.__ || Professor Elliot advised to his students to buy the textbook on __eBay__ or on __amazon.com.__ ||

=7.3 ENGLISH NAMES=

=7.3.1 Names With Particles=

Some residents of English-speaking countries have names that contain particles such as //de, d’, de la, von, van,// and //ten//. Rules for capitalization and spacing vary, so a biographic dictionary should always be consulted. However, when using the last name alone, the particle should never be dropped.

For more information see Chicago 8.7.
 * TABLE 7.7.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * John Le Carré is the pen name of David Cornwell, the author of //The Spy That Came In From The Cold//. __Mr. Carré__ worked for MI5 and MI6 as a young man before turning his hand to fiction. || John Le Carré is the pen name of David Cornwell, the author of //The Spy That Came In From The Cold//. __Mr. Le Carré__ worked for MI5 and MI6 as a young man before turning his hand to fiction. ||

=7.3.2 Hyphenated Names=

Hyphenated last names should never omit one of their elements, even when writing a last name alone. If the name belongs to a historical figure, Webster's or another dictionary can be used to check where the last name begins.

For more information see Chicago 8.8.
 * TABLE 7.8.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. __Mr. Abdul__ is in the NBA Hall of Fame. || Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. __Mr. Abdul-Jabbar__ is in the NBA Hall of Fame. ||

=7.4 FOREIGN NAMES=

= = =7.4.1 French Names=

In French names, particles like //de// and //d'// are lowercased, except at the start of a sentence. Initials that stand for hyphenated names should also be hyphenated.

For more information see Chicago 8.11.
 * TABLE 7.9.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Jean-Paul Sartre was a leading 20th century French philosopher, screenwriter, novelist, and critic. __J.P. Sartre__ died in 1980. || Jean-Paul Sartre was a leading 20th century French philosopher, screenwriter, novelist, and critic. __J.-P. Sartre__ died in 1980. ||
 * __Alexis De Toqueville__ was a French political thinker and historian. __De Toqueville__ died in 1859. || __Alexis de Toqueville__ was a French political thinker and historian. __Toqueville__ died in 1859. ||

=7.4.2 Spanish Names=

Quite often, Spanish last names are comprised of the father and mother's names, in that order. Sometimes the two are separated with a //y// (and). When referring to a Spanish last name during a second mention, it is never incorrect to use both. The //y// should be used if it would normally appear in the full version of the name.

For more information see Chicago 8.14.
 * TABLE 7.10.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Pascual Ortiz Rubio was a Mexican politician. __Ortiz__ was the President of Mexico from 1930-1932. || Pascual Ortiz Rubio was a Mexican politician. __Ortiz Rubio__ was the President of Mexico from 1930-1932. ||
 * José Ortega y Gasset was a Spanish Philosopher. __Ortega__ died in 1955. || José Ortega y Gasset was a Spanish Philosopher. __Ortega y Gasset__ died in 1955. ||

=7.4.3 Chinese and Japanese Names=

Both Chinese and Japanese names place the family name before the surname. This practice should be followed in all copy when referring to people of Chinese or Japanese heritage, unless their names have been intentionally anglicized.

=7.5 TITLES=

=7.5.1 General Rules for Titles=

Titles are usually capitalized, especially when they precede a given name, as with {//Vice President Biden//}. However, the second mention omits capitalization if the title is used by itself. Two exceptions exist. First, in formal contexts, like business reports capitalization should be used even if the title follows the name. Second, during mentions of social occasions such as toasts, the title may be capitalized even when following the name.

For more information see Chicago 8.21.
 * TABLE 7.11.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Please email questions to __Professor Elliot__. __The Professor__ will be happy to assist. || Please email questions to __Professor Elliot__. __The professor__ will be happy to assist. ||
 * The Hertz account is handled by Miranda Richardson, __director of sales__. || The Hertz account is handled by Miranda Richardson, __Director of Sales__. ||
 * Ladies and gentlemen, the __chairman of the board__. || Ladies and gentlemen, the __Chairman of the Board__. ||

=7.5.2 Titles in Apposition=

Titles used in apposition (as description before a personal name) should never be capitalized.

For more information see Chicago 8.23.
 * TABLE 7.12.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * The fundraiser was attended by former __Presidents__ Carter and Clinton. || The fundraiser was attended by former __presidents__ Carter and Clinton. ||

=7.5.3 Corporate and Organizational Titles=

Business titles should not be used as part of a name, and thus should not be capitalized unless they are being used in a formal scenario like in 7.6.1. When a short form is required, the personal name or the title alone--lowercased--will suffice.

For more information see Chicago 8.30.
 * TABLE 7.13.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * The __Admissions Director, Mr. Steve Eck,__ has various responsibilities at NJIT. || The __admissions director, Mr. Steve Eck,__ has various responsibilities at NJIT. ||

=7.6 TERMS=

=7.6.1 Ethnic Groups=

The names of ethnic groups should be capitalized, as should associated adjectives, such as {//African American//}.

For more information see Chicago 8.41, 8.42, 8.43.
 * TABLE 7.14.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * The U.S. Census contains categories for many ethnic groups, including: __african americans, asians, and hispanics__. || The U.S. Census contains categories for many ethnic groups, including: __African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics__. ||

=7.6.2 Cultural Periods=

Prehistoric cultural periods should be capitalized, while modern periods should be lowercased. This is true even in sentences that contain both terms.

For more information see Chicago 8.80.
 * TABLE 7.15.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * A vast period of time separates the __Stone Age__ and the __Information Age__. || A vast period of time separates the __Stone Age__ and the __information age__. ||

=7.6.3 Cultural Movements and Styles=

Cultural styles, schools and movements — artistic, architectural, and musical — should be capitalized if derived from proper nouns. However, schools of thought should be lowercased when used metaphorically.


 * TABLE 7.16.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * __Stoicism__ maintains that virtue is the sole good of human nature, rather than logic, wealth, health, or even happiness. Therefore, it is hard to find __Stoic__ people nowadays, even within academia. || __Stoicism__ maintains that virtue is the sole good of human nature, rather than logic, wealth, health, or even happiness. Therefore, it is hard to find __stoic__ people nowadays, even within academia. ||

For more information see Chicago 8.85.

=7.6.4 Geographic Locations=

Locations that appear on a map should be capitalized, as should regions and popular names for areas. However, points on the compass, adjectives derived from region names and generic descriptions of locations should be lowercased.

For more information see Chicago 8.47, 8.48 and 8.49.
 * TABLE 7.17.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Excellent restaurants may be found in __boston's back bay__ area. A __Shopping District__ is also nearby. Boston is located in the __northeast__; __Southerners__ may need some time to adjust. || Excellent restaurants may be found in __Boston's Back Bay__ area. A __shopping sistrict__ is also nearby. Boston is located in the __Northeast__; __southerners__ may need some time to adjust. ||

=7.6.5 Rooms or Offices=

Only official names of rooms or offices should be capitalized. Unofficial names should be lowercased.

For more information see Chicago 8.62
 * TABLE 7.18.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * Professor Elliot conducts appointments in __Room 205__, located in the __east wing__. || Professor Elliot conducts appointments in __room 205__, located in the __East Wing__. ||

=7.7 ACADEMIA=

=7.7.1 Academic Subjects=

Subjects and discipline names should not be capitalized, unless they form part of a course or department name.


 * TABLE 7.19.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * The __professional and technical communication__ program at NJIT offered a class in __business communications__. Having taken a __Communications__ class in college, she was eager to start. || The __Professional and Technical Communication__ program at NJIT offered a class in __Business Communications__. Having taken a __communications__ class in college, she was eager to start. ||

For more information see Chicago 8.91 and 8.92.

=7.7.2 Lectures=

Individual lecture series should be enclosed in quotes and capitalized. Lecture series should also be capitalized.

For more information see Chicago 8.93.
 * TABLE 7.20.**
 * **Before Revision** || **After Revision** ||
 * The first lecture, “__Introduction to professional and technical editing,”__ was delivered by Professor Elliot on iTunes. || The first lecture, “I__ntroduction to Professional and Technical Editing,”__ was delivered by Professor Elliot on iTunes. ||

=WORKS CITED=

//The Chicago Manual of Style//. 15th ed. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 2003.

Gibaldi, Joseph. //MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers//. 6th ed. New York: MLA, 2003.

Rude, Carolyn D. //Technical Editing//. 4th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2006.