Should Per Be Capitalized In A Title

Okay, picture this: you're at your favorite cafe, latte in hand (extra foam, obviously), and you're staring at your computer screen. You're wrestling with a beast of a title, a real word-slinging hydra, and it all boils down to this: should that tiny little word, "per," be dignified with a capital letter? It's the question that has haunted poets and professors, graphic designers and, well, probably just you and me. Let's dive in, shall we? It's more complicated than you think!

The Great Capitalization Conundrum: A "Per"plexing Problem

First, let's acknowledge the sheer absurdity of worrying about this. In the grand scheme of things, whether "per" gets a capital or not isn't going to solve world hunger or bring about world peace. But, darn it, details matter! Especially when you're crafting something that needs to look polished and professional. Imagine submitting your magnum opus to a literary journal, only to be rejected because of a rogue lowercase "per"! The horror! The absolute horror!

The truth is, the answer, like most things in life, isn't a simple "yes" or "no." It depends. Oh, the dreaded "it depends"! But don't worry, I'm here to guide you through the treacherous jungles of grammatical guidelines with nothing but a machete of wit and a thirst for correctness (and maybe another latte).

The Official Rules (Or Lack Thereof)

Generally speaking, the capitalization rules for titles are governed by what's called "title case." And what is title case, you ask? Well, it's that stylish way of capitalizing words in titles, headings, and subheadings to make them look all fancy and important. Think of it as giving each word a little boost of self-esteem.

Most style guides (think AP, MLA, Chicago – the holy trinity of writing rules) agree on the following:

• Capitalize the first and last word of your title, no matter what they are. This is like the bookends of your sentence, making sure everything stays in place.
• Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. These are the meaty words, the content carriers, the ones that do all the heavy lifting.

So far, so good. But what about the little guys? The prepositions, conjunctions, and articles? Ah, here's where the fun begins (or the confusion, depending on your disposition).

The Case Against Capitalizing "Per"

Most style guides would advise against capitalizing "per" in a title because it's a preposition. Prepositions, conjunctions, and articles (like "a," "an," and "the") are generally considered "minor words" and, thus, get the lowercase treatment. They're like the supporting cast, crucial to the overall story but not exactly headliners.

Think of it this way: "Running Per Mile Seems Excessive" is more grammatically sound than "Running Per Mile Seems Excessive." The lowercase "per" blends in nicely, doing its job without screaming for attention. It's humble, unassuming, and grammatically correct (according to most). It's the grammar ninja of prepositions!

The Case For Capitalizing "Per" (Gasp!)

Now, hold on to your hats! There are exceptions! Just when you thought you had this "per" thing figured out, I'm here to throw a wrench into the works. Because why not? Life is too short for simple answers.

Here are some scenarios where you might consider capitalizing "per":

• If "per" is the first or last word of your title. Remember those bookends? The first and last word get capitalized, no matter what. So, "Per Diem Adventures" gets a capitalized "Per" because it's the first word. Similarly, if your title ended in "Per," you'd capitalize it.
• If your style guide specifically tells you to capitalize all words. Some publications have their own quirky style guides, and if they decree that all words shall be capitalized, then all words shall be capitalized! Obey the style guide! It's the law (of writing, anyway).
• If "per" is being used as part of a proper noun or in a specific, established phrase. This is a bit trickier. For example, if you were writing about a company called "Per Se Consulting," the "Per" would be capitalized because it's part of the company name. However, this isn't particularly common with the word "per."

Basically, if there's a compelling reason to capitalize "per," go for it! But be prepared to defend your decision with the ferocity of a thousand suns (or at least be able to cite a reputable source).

The Subjective Side of Syntax (aka When to Break the Rules)

Let's be honest, sometimes grammar is less about rigid rules and more about aesthetics. If capitalizing "per" just looks better to you, and you think it enhances the overall impact of your title, then you might be tempted to throw caution to the wind and capitalize it anyway. I'm not advocating for this, mind you, but I'm not not advocating for it either. I'm a neutral party here, just observing the human condition and its inherent need to occasionally rebel against established norms.

However, before you go rogue, consider your audience and the overall tone of your work. Are you writing a highly formal academic paper? Stick to the lowercase "per." Are you creating a quirky blog post about the joys of interpretive dance? Maybe a capitalized "Per" adds a touch of whimsy. It's all about knowing your audience and making informed choices. Remember, with great grammatical power comes great grammatical responsibility!

So, What's the Verdict?

In most cases, you should probably leave "per" lowercase in a title. It's the safest bet, the grammatically sound choice, the one that will keep the grammar police off your back. But, like with any rule, there are exceptions. If "per" is the first or last word, if your style guide demands it, or if you have a compelling aesthetic reason, then go ahead and capitalize it! Just be prepared to justify your decision. And maybe have that extra latte handy – you might need the caffeine boost.

Ultimately, the capitalization of "per" is a tiny detail in the grand tapestry of writing. Don't let it paralyze you with indecision. Make a choice, own it, and move on. There are bigger grammatical fish to fry, like the proper use of semicolons (now that's a topic for another day!).

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to write a title that features the word "per" prominently. I'm thinking something along the lines of "The Perplexing Paradox of Perfecting 'Per' in Prose." Wish me luck!