Capitalizing Answer Choices

Feb 08, 2017

As I am reviewing and writing questions and answer choices, my OCD is getting to me, and so my question for you all is do we capitalize the first letter of each answer choice? 

6 Replies
Lu Post

According to the Chicago Manual of Style, if the response completes the stem (question), it should begin with a lowercase letter. If the response is a complete sentence, it should begin with a capital letter. If the stem is a complete sentence, it should contain ending punctuation (period, question mark). In most situations, unless your style sheet states otherwise, responses should not contain ending punctuation. Mostly, I think consistency is important.

Dave Cox

Hi Tram,

That's a great question! I've looked this up so many times. One style manual says one thing, and someone else's style manual says something else. Usually, Then your employer will decide something else. I tend to go with the Chicago Manual of Style that Lu mentions.  

I think it is most important to be consistent. This also includes with the distractor wording, and format. All distractors for each question should complete or answer the stem sentence in the same manner, and be punctuated the same.

This discussion is closed. You can start a new discussion or contact Articulate Support.