When to Capitalize "Department":
* Formal Names: When "department" is part of a formal, official name, it's capitalized.
* Examples: Department of Transportation, Human Resources Department, Marketing Department.
* Shortened Forms: Even shortened forms of formal names are capitalized:
* Examples: HR Department, IT Department, Sales Dept.
When NOT to Capitalize "Department":
* Generic References: When "department" is used generically, it's lowercase.
* Examples: "She works in the marketing department." "The department is located on the third floor."
Exceptions:
* Specific Names: If the department name has a unique, specific title, you'll capitalize it according to its structure:
* Examples: "The Sales and Marketing Department," "The Customer Service and Support Department."
Remember: Consistency is key. Choose a style and stick with it throughout your writing.