Sentence Case
What is sentence case:
- Sentence case is a capitalization style where only the first letter of the initial word in a sentence, title, or heading is capitalized. All subsequent words are written in lowercase, except for proper nouns, which are always capitalized regardless of their position.
- For example:
- “This is an example of sentence case.”
- “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
Importance of applying sentence case:
- Clarity: Sentence case improves clarity by making text more readable and easier to understand. It follows the natural structure of sentences, aiding in smoother information absorption.
- Uniformity: Employing sentence case consistently ensures that your writing appears refined and professional, reducing the visual noise caused by over-capitalization.
- Tone: Sentence case often conveys a friendly and accessible tone, which is advantageous in casual writing formats such as blogs, emails, and social media.
- Contemporary Appeal: Many modern brands and platforms, like Google and Slack, utilize sentence case to present a sleek and contemporary look.
Appropriate application of sentence casing:
- Sentence case is widely used in various contexts to enhance readability and maintain a conversational tone. Below are some common scenarios where sentence case is particularly appropriate:
- Body text: In the primary content of articles, essays, reports, and other written documents, sentence case is employed to ensure clarity and ease of reading.
- Titles and subtitles: Numerous style guides, including APA, advocate for the use of sentence case in titles and subtitles to maintain a consistent and professional appearance.
- Email subject lines: Using sentence case in email subject lines can render them more approachable and less formal, which is advantageous for casual or internal communications.
- Blog entries and social media: Sentence case is frequently used in blog entries and social media posts to foster a friendly and engaging tone.
- News Headlines: Newspapers and online news platforms often adopt sentence case for headlines to enhance readability and comprehension.
When not appropriate to apply sentence case to your text:
- Academic and formal titles: In scholarly writing, formal reports, and academic papers, title case is often preferred. This includes the titles of books, research articles, and dissertations.
- Brand names and trademarks: Brand names, trademarks, and certain proper nouns should always be capitalized according to their official styling, which often uses title case or all capital letters.
- Legal documents: Legal documents and contracts typically use title case for headings and important sections to ensure clarity and emphasis.
- Professional resumes and CVs: In professional resumes and CVs, title case is commonly used for section headings to maintain a polished and formal appearance.
- Formal invitations and announcements: For formal events, such as weddings or official ceremonies, title case is often used in invitations and announcements to convey a sense of formality and importance.
How to apply sentence case to your text:
- Capitalize the first word of the sentence and lowercase all other words, except for proper nouns (names of people, places, etc.).
- For example:
- Correct: “This is an example of sentence case.”
- Incorrect: “This Is An Example Of Sentence Case.”