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AP Style for Titles

1. Why AP Style for Titles Matters

A writer who misuses titles looks inconsistent, unprofessional, and unreliable.

A writer who follows AP Style uses titles correctly, clearly, and consistently — just like every major newsroom.

Correct title formatting improves:

  • Clarity
  • Professionalism
  • Reader trust
  • SEO consistency
  • Editorial accuracy
  • Brand credibility
  • Contributor confidence

Every Total Apex contributor must master AP Style titles because job titles appear constantly in news, sports, gaming, entertainment, lifestyle, and business writing.

2. AP Style Basics for Titles

AP Style answers the question:

Is this title formal, job‑related, or descriptive — and where is it placed?

AP Style divides titles into three categories:

  • Formal titles (capitalized before a name)
  • Occupational/Job descriptions (lowercase)
  • Courtesy titles (rarely used)

Placement determines capitalization.

3. Formal Titles (Capitalized Before a Name)

Formal titles are capitalized only when they come directly before a name and are part of the name.

Correct

  • President John Smith
  • Director Maria Lopez
  • Coach Brian Kelly
  • Editor‑in‑Chief Sarah Jones

Incorrect

  • John Smith, President
  • Maria Lopez, Director
  • Brian Kelly, Coach

When titles come after a name, they are lowercase.

Correct

  • John Smith, president of the company
  • Sarah Jones, editor‑in‑chief

Incorrect

  • John Smith, President of the Company

4. Job Descriptions (Always Lowercase)

If the title is more of a job description than a formal title, it is always lowercase, even before a name.

Examples

  • game designer John Smith
  • actor Chris Evans
  • singer Taylor Swift
  • reporter Jane Doe
  • coach Mike Brown (generic use)

These are roles, not formal titles.

5. Courtesy Titles (Rarely Used)

AP Style avoids courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss) except:

  • In direct quotes
  • When needed for clarity
  • When requested in sensitive stories

Correct

  • Mr. Smith said… (in a quote)
  • Ms. Johnson, 82, said… (elderly subjects)

Incorrect

  • Mr. John Smith wrote…
  • Mrs. Taylor Swift performed…

Total Apex almost never uses courtesy titles.

6. Long Titles (Lowercase After a Name)

Long titles are always lowercase when placed after a name.

Correct

  • John Smith, chief executive officer of the company
  • Maria Lopez, vice president of operations

Incorrect

  • John Smith, Chief Executive Officer

AP Style avoids capitalizing long titles unless they appear before a name.

7. Titles Before Names (Capitalized Only If Formal)

Formal Titles — Capitalized

  • President Joe Biden
  • Gov. Mike DeWine
  • Sen. Sherrod Brown
  • Coach Erik Spoelstra (team context)

Occupational Titles — Lowercase

  • singer Billie Eilish
  • actor Pedro Pascal
  • game developer Neil Druckmann
  • director Greta Gerwig (generic use)

Context determines capitalization.

8. Titles After Names (Always Lowercase)

When a title follows a name, it is always lowercase, even if formal.

Correct

  • Joe Biden, president of the United States
  • Greta Gerwig, director of the film
  • Erik Spoelstra, coach of the Heat

Incorrect

  • Joe Biden, President of the United States

9. Multiple Titles

When someone has multiple titles, only the first is capitalized (if formal and before a name).

Correct

  • President and CEO John Smith
  • Director and Producer Ava DuVernay

Incorrect

  • President And CEO John Smith
  • Director And Producer Ava DuVernay

10. Titles in Sports Writing

Sports titles follow the same rules:

Capitalized Before Name

  • Coach Mike Tomlin
  • Quarterback Joe Burrow (position titles are capitalized before names in sports contexts)

Lowercase After Name

  • Mike Tomlin, coach of the Steelers
  • Joe Burrow, the team’s quarterback

11. Titles in Entertainment Writing

Lowercase

  • actor Tom Holland
  • singer Beyoncé
  • director Christopher Nolan

Capitalized Only If Formal

  • Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige
  • Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes

Entertainment writing uses mostly lowercase.

12. Titles in Gaming Writing

Lowercase

  • game director Todd Howard
  • lead designer Jane Park
  • producer Naoki Yoshida

Capitalized Only If Formal

  • Studio Head Phil Spencer
  • Creative Director Neil Druckmann

Gaming titles are often job descriptions — lowercase unless formal.

13. Common AP Style Title Mistakes (and Fixes)

1. Capitalizing titles after names

❌ John Smith, Director  

✔️ John Smith, director

2. Capitalizing job descriptions

❌ Singer Taylor Swift  

✔️ singer Taylor Swift

3. Using courtesy titles unnecessarily

❌ Mr. Smith said…  

✔️ Smith said…

4. Capitalizing long titles

❌ John Smith, Chief Executive Officer  

✔️ John Smith, chief executive officer

5. Capitalizing positions generically

❌ The Coach said…  

✔️ The coach said…

Final Takeaway for Total Apex Writers

AP Style titles are all about placement, formality, and clarity.

Total Apex AP Style Title Essentials

  • Capitalize formal titles only before names
  • Lowercase titles after names
  • Lowercase job descriptions
  • Avoid courtesy titles
  • Capitalize sports positions before names
  • Lowercase long titles after names
  • Keep title usage consistent across all verticals

Mastering AP Style titles ensures every Total Apex article — across news, gaming, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle — is polished, consistent, and newsroom‑ready.