The Uncertainty of Addressing Titles

By AMY FEZZA

While stating a person’s position or title within an article, AP style chooses to describe titles in a specific way. When addressing a title, two question come into play: when does one capitalize or lowercase a specific title and when does one abbreviate a title?

The New York Times, a specific articles premise revolves around a particular senator. Senator Evan Byah’s title was not only capitalized, but was spelt out. This is because his title was put before addressing his name, rather than after. Also it was spelt out because the New York Times seem to have their own style to follow rather than following the traditional AP Stylebook 2009 edition format.

This is frustrating because while copy editing any articles, one hopes that it will stay consistent and will be followed properly. This leads the person who is editing to doubt themselves and to constantly be checking back to the AP guide on what is considered to be the “correct” way of editing.

Also in another article provided by the BBC, regards U.S. forces. Many military positions are addressed in a certain manner. When addressing Lt. Gen. Nick Parker, “Lieutenant,” as well as, “General” are both abbreviated because they are both before the name.

Every lieutenant or general listed in the article has been abbreviated because they are stated before the name. This happens to be an easy way of addressing a title because something like this is usually the same with every news organization.