Basic Caps

01-21-2005, 08:35 PM

Danny looks through the window and spots an older woman, (37) wearing a sheer blouse.

Would you cap OLDER WOMAN? She doesn’t say anything, but it is necessary that she be dressed a certain way and be a specific age. How important must the character be to deserve caps?

Please chastise me and send this post to One on One. It’s the only way that a part of me, gets to see the unknown.

01-22-2005, 12:54 AM

Yeah, you should CAP her. As far as her age, if it is necessary as you say, then we should probably learn that information when it becomes relevant instead of including it as part of a general character description.

01-22-2005, 03:06 AM

If I may say so, calling a 37 year old woman "older," unless in specific context, seems odd. And if she needs to be pointed out, if she'll have her own shot and is somewhat important, capitalize her.

01-22-2005, 09:02 AM

Looking at two books I've got: Cole and Haag say you don't capitalize the name of a non-speaking character when you introduce him or her. But they go on to say "Occasionally a 'minor character' may not have a speaking role but may be called upon for significant emotional reaction. In this and similar cases, it may be appropriate to capitalize the introduction of that character."

Trottier says "you don't need to capitalize the names of characters who do not have speaking parts, but it is not incorrect if you do."

So basically you can do whatever you want, but the convention is not to capitalize the name when you introduce a non-speaking character.

I don't think there's anything wrong with stating her age in her introduction. That's done all the time. It gives the reader a better mental picture of the character -- and it's not as if you can't tell roughly how old someone is by looking at them.

01-22-2005, 07:02 PM

Thanks for the responses—now I can keep right on typing. Gotta be ready for Nicholl!!!

Oh and yeah… Cynicide I wouldn’t consider 37 as being older. But my boyfriend would because he’s 19. (smiling) It’s well documented that I’m married. But anyway, the character Danny is 22 so I wanted to make a point that he likes older women (of course it could have been the sheer blouse). Better change that.

Please chastise me and send this post to One on One. It’s the only way that a part of me, gets to see the unknown.

01-21-2005, 08:35 PM	#1
BrownLisa Posts: n/a	Basic Caps *Danny looks through the window and spots an older woman, (37) wearing a sheer blouse.* Would you cap OLDER WOMAN? She doesn’t say anything, but it is necessary that she be dressed a certain way and be a specific age. How important must the character be to deserve caps? Please chastise me and send this post to One on One. It’s the only way that a part of me, gets to see the unknown.

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01-22-2005, 12:54 AM	#2
jimjimgrande Posts: n/a	Yeah, you should CAP her. As far as her age, if it is necessary as you say, then we should probably learn that information when it becomes relevant instead of including it as part of a general character description.

01-22-2005, 03:06 AM	#3
cynicide Posts: n/a	If I may say so, calling a 37 year old woman "older," unless in specific context, seems odd. And if she needs to be pointed out, if she'll have her own shot and is somewhat important, capitalize her.

01-22-2005, 09:02 AM	#4
refriedwhiskey Posts: n/a	Looking at two books I've got: Cole and Haag say you don't capitalize the name of a non-speaking character when you introduce him or her. But they go on to say "Occasionally a 'minor character' may not have a speaking role but may be called upon for significant emotional reaction. In this and similar cases, it may be appropriate to capitalize the introduction of that character." Trottier says "you don't need to capitalize the names of characters who do not have speaking parts, but it is not incorrect if you do." So basically you can do whatever you want, but the convention is not to capitalize the name when you introduce a non-speaking character. I don't think there's anything wrong with stating her age in her introduction. That's done all the time. It gives the reader a better mental picture of the character -- and it's not as if you can't tell roughly how old someone is by looking at them.

01-22-2005, 07:02 PM	#5
BrownLisa Posts: n/a	Thanks for the responses—now I can keep right on typing. Gotta be ready for Nicholl!!! Oh and yeah… Cynicide I wouldn’t consider 37 as being older. But my boyfriend would because he’s 19. (smiling) It’s well documented that I’m married. But anyway, the character Danny is 22 so I wanted to make a point that he likes older women (of course it could have been the sheer blouse). Better change that. Please chastise me and send this post to One on One. It’s the only way that a part of me, gets to see the unknown.