Capitalize Numbered and Lettered References
Capitalization
Rulebase Summary
Capitalize references to numbered and lettered items — Exhibit A, Chapter 3, Room 12, Section 4, Article II. Exceptions: do not capitalize page, line, stanza, verse, size, or vitamin references. Some writers capitalize paragraph and roman numeral references and some do not. When the word Number appears between the reference word and the figure, capitalize and abbreviate it (Policy No. 5427).
Examples
A. I am referring to exhibit 4, page 12, line 3.
A. I am referring to Exhibit 4, page 12, line 3.
Exhibit is capitalized as a numbered reference; page and line are exceptions and stay lowercase.
A. It is covered in article III, section 2 of the bylaws.
A. It is covered in Article III, Section 2 of the bylaws.
Numbered and lettered references like Article and Section are capitalized.
Style Guides Disagree
Morson's says to capitalize and abbreviate 'number' as 'No.' when it appears between the reference word and the figure. Margie Wakeman Wells originally agreed (BGGP Abbreviation.34) but has since reversed her position — she now says 'number' should be written out to avoid confusion with the negative response 'No' in electronic searches. She acknowledges the result looks unusual (e.g., 'line Number 3') but says consistency requires it.
Transcript Notes
Capitalize references to numbered and lettered items with the exception of 'page,' 'line,' 'stanza,' 'verse,' 'size,' and 'vitamins.'
Some writers capitalize 'paragraph' and some do not. Some writers capitalize 'roman numeral' and some do not. Capitalize and abbreviate 'number' when it comes between the reference word and the figure (Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 10, Policy No. 866702).
Note: when an exhibit is identified by a letter followed by a number with another letter, the first letter is capitalized but not the second (Exhibit L-14b). When 'identification' appears after the exhibit reference, do not capitalize 'identification.'
Style Guide References (1)
Morson's