Names & Titles

Include the full name of a person the first time they appear in an article. Thereafter, use the person’s last name. (Never use Mr., Mrs., or Miss.)

John Smith is author of the new book. Smith wrote the book while on sabbatical.

Dr., Ph.D.

Use the title Dr. when referring to a doctor of medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. Do not use it to designate doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.)

Dr. Smith is a skilled surgeon.
Allison Smith, Ph.D., spoke about her research in early French history.

Job titles

Capitalize all job titles when used before a name or in lists and programs. (Exception: Do not capitalize such titles in the text when they follow the name.)

Jane Smith, president of ABC Corporation.
Professor Bob Smith, is chair of the Biology Department.

Unofficial titles

Do not capitalize unofficial titles preceding the name.

The writer Tom Clancy…

Job titles that stand alone or in apposition

Do not capitalize titles standing alone or in apposition.

The president of IBM is scheduled to speak at the conference.
Contact the dean of faculty for more information.

Abbreviated job titles

Abbreviate the following titles when they precede a name: Dr., Mr., Mrs., the Rev., Fr., and all military titles. Do not use them in combination with any other title or with abbreviations including scholastic or academic degrees.

Jane Smith, Ph.D., not Dr. Jane Smith, Ph.D.
Amy Smith, M.D., not Mrs. Amy Smith, M.D.

Do not abbreviate assistant and associate when used in a title, such as assistant professor of history.

Publication, newspaper, movie, and television show titles

The titles of books, essays, plays, musical compositions, motion pictures, pamphlets, radio and television programs, and songs, should all be placed in italics.

War and Peace
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
ABC’s This Week With George Stephanopoulos

The titles of newspapers, journals, newsletters, and magazines should be italicized.

The Charlotte Observer
U.S. News & World Report