|
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1
stranger
|
OP
stranger
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1 |
Is there a reason to capitalize the words "communist" and "socialist" in this sentence: Anyone who thinks that is nothing but a Socialist or Communist ... This is quoted from a book about writing: "Reading, Writing, and Rhetoric" by Hogins and Yarber. I can understand if he meant "Communist Party of China" where capitalization is required but in this context, is capitalization justified?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I would say leave them all lower case unless, as you say, they're part of a proper noun phrase.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
|
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
I would leave it lower case as well but there could be an argument that it is capitalized to indicate that the writer was referring to members of a group or movement and not just to their ideology.
Nope, capitals still look wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,895 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,895 Likes: 2 |
If I were still teaching high school I would have the students
leave them in lower case, unless, as Zed says, it refers to
a particular group, and not their ideology.
This is a great topic, our country and its use of language
and grammar sadly and badly needs this, to wit, the media.
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3
stranger
|
|
stranger
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3 |
If you're going to label a person a member of the Socialist or Communist groups (parties), then the words Socialist and Communist are proper nouns and should be capitalized.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,895 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,895 Likes: 2 |
If you're going to label a person a member of the Socialist or Communist groups (parties), then the words Socialist and Communist are proper nouns and should be capitalized. but would not zed's comment above still be correct?
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 23
stranger
|
|
stranger
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 23 |
Different publishers have their own house rules about capitalization; problems can arise when there is a difference between for instance a college fellow (contemporary) and a College Fellow (proprietor).
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 107
member
|
|
member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 107 |
Different publishers have their own house rules about capitalization; problems can arise when there is a difference between for instance a college fellow (contemporary) and a College Fellow (proprietor). But, aren't there a number of style manuals that serve as standards? I think of the Chicago Style Manual for one. When I was in college (1960s), Harbrace's Manual was the standard at the university I attended.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
But, aren't there a number of style manuals that serve as standards?
There are. They don't always agree on specifics. Different publishers choose different manuals.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
But, aren't there a number of style manuals that serve as standards?
PastorVon started a sentence with a conjunction! 
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,910
Posts228,881
Members9,174
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
320
guests, and
2
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
