February 5, 2009: Issue 276
Capitalize a title when it comes immediately before a person’s name, describes a designated authority, and is not set off by commas:
President Barack Obama
Pope Benedict XVI
Professor Patricia Prijatel
Don’t capitalize a title that comes after a person’s name:
Barack Obama, president of the United States
Don’t capitalize a title that stands alone:
the 266th pope
Don’t capitalize a title set off by commas, even when it comes before a name:
a Drake University professor, Patricia Prijatel
Don’t capitalize job descriptions:
architect Stephen Herlong
dietitian Jeannette Jordan
chef Cat Cora
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