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Apostrophes in Titles

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Latest post Mon, Nov 7 2005 8:50 AM by Anonymous. 2 replies.
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Anonymous  +  155929 Mon, 07 Nov 05 08:04 AM

I'm currently translating the reports that some students wrote about their participation in a home stay program. 

In a sentence, I would have no problem writing, for example, "Yesterday, I received the students' reports in the mail."  However, I am now faced with putting a title on the section of this little publication, and it seems odd to me to write "Students' Reports" as a title.  I usually eliminate apostrophes in titles and it would sound better to me to write "Student Reports" with 'student' acting as an adjective, I think. 

Here in Japan, it is common to see ('s) used in strange ways, but I'm not sure why it seems so odd when used in a title, even when it would appear to be correct (at least to me).

Is there any rule regarding this?  Any opinions are appreciated, as my grammar sucks.

Thank you.

 
Anonymous
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Mister Micawber  +  155932 Mon, 07 Nov 05 08:31 AM

No rule at all; both forms are correct; it is a matter of style.  I too would use student as an adjective and write Student Reports-- it is simple and clear.  And I think that the plural possessive seems odd only because most natives would use the adjective form.

It has been my experience also that Japanese English users are somewhat preoccupied with the apostrophe-- especially for plural nouns--, and seem to prefer having one in the wrong place to none at all.  It is a matter of teaching the available options.
Mister Micawber
Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
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'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
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Anonymous, 4 yr 17 days ago

Thanks for the rapid reply!

 

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