Use of Courtesy Titles and Honorifics in Professional Writing - Comparison of Publications

Comparison of Publications

Wire services

• Associated Press: The AP does not use courtesy titles except in obituaries, in direct quotations, or when a story on a family may cause confusion without the use of courtesy titles. Instead, using the first and last names on first reference and the last name on later references is preferred. The AP Stylebook advises that the first reference to a member of the clergy should include a capitalized title: The Reverend John Smith on first reference and Smith or the reverend on every reference thereafter. For popes, the AP advises Pope John XXIII on first reference and John XXIII, Pope John, the pope, or the pontiff on later references. For titles of nobility, the stylebook notes that "references to members of the nobility in nations that have a system of rank present special problems because nobles frequently are known by their titles rather than their given names. Their titles, in effect, become their names." In general, AP prefers to follow their general guidelines, but uses the titles "Lord," "Lady," and "Dame." AP never uses styles except in direct quotes.
• Canadian Press: The CP does not use courtesy titles such as Mr. and Mrs., nor does it use styles (except in direct quotations). Other titles are generally dropped after the first reference.

Newspapers

• The New York Times: Stylistic concerns are governed by The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage. Unlike most newspapers, the Times uses courtesy titles in news stories (but not in editorials or "light" stories, such as lifestyle or fashion): John Smith on first reference, Mr. Smith on later references. This applies even when the person holds a non-courtesy title: Mayor John Smith on first reference, Mr. Smith or the mayor on the second. The Times never uses styles except in direct quotes. For royalty, Queen Elizabeth is acceptable on first reference to Queen Elizabeth II, with the queen or Elizabeth II used on later references. Curiously, upon his death, Pol Pot was referred to as "Mr. Pol Pot," although this changed to "Pol Pot" approximately two weeks later. The reason given by an editor was that for the "renowned" (e.g., Stalin, Lenin), no courtesy title was deemed necessary.
• The Times: Generally follows formal tradition meaning each titled role is assigned an appropriate (but not necessarily full) style for introductory reference and one or more options for subsequent references, e.g. "the Duke of Edinburgh, thereafter the Duke or (sparingly) Prince Philip". For untitled persons, full name then title-surname is used except for certain fields (e.g., arts and sports) whose members can be known by untitled single name, convicted offenders (who are intentionally disrespected), and the dead in historical contexts (e.g. Gladstone not Mr Gladstone) or in obituaries. The newspaper changed away from using foreign titles (e.g., M for a Frenchman) in 2006.

Reference works

• Bartlett's Familiar Quotations: Inconsistent usage. "George Noel Gordon, Lord Byron"; "Sir Thomas More"; "Elizabeth I"; "Francis Bacon" (not "Sir"). Most honorifics not used, and styles never.