CapitalizationCapitalization

General rules for General rules for capitalization:capitalization:

Proper nounsProper nouns

A proper noun identifies a specific person, place, or thing. Words derived from proper nouns A proper noun identifies a specific person, place, or thing. Words derived from proper nouns are also capitalized. Also capitalize titles of persons when used as part of a proper name but are also capitalized. Also capitalize titles of persons when used as part of a proper name but usually not when used alone.usually not when used alone.

ExamplesExamples: Japan, Japanese food, the Democratic Party, John, District Attorney Jones: Japan, Japanese food, the Democratic Party, John, District Attorney Jones

First word of a sentence or quoted sentenceFirst word of a sentence or quoted sentence

The first word of a sentence should be capitalized. Also, capitalize the first word of a quoted The first word of a sentence should be capitalized. Also, capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence but not a quoted phrase. If a quoted sentence is interrupted, do not capitalize the sentence but not a quoted phrase. If a quoted sentence is interrupted, do not capitalize the first word after the interruption.first word after the interruption.

ExamplesExamples: The journalist wrote, : The journalist wrote, ““The situation seems more ominous as the various parties The situation seems more ominous as the various parties have failed to reach an agreement.have failed to reach an agreement.””

““SportsSports””, said Russell Baker , said Russell Baker ““is the opiate of the masses.is the opiate of the masses.””

Also capitalize:Also capitalize:Titles of worksTitles of works

Major words (and the first word) in titles and subtitles of works such as books, articles, and songs should Major words (and the first word) in titles and subtitles of works such as books, articles, and songs should be capitalized.be capitalized.

ExamplesExamples: : The Last of the MohicansThe Last of the Mohicans; ; Return to MeReturn to Me

First word following a colonFirst word following a colon

Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it begins an independent clause (and that is actually Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it begins an independent clause (and that is actually optional).optional).

ExampleExample: We come to this conclusion: The (or the) federal government is needed to protect the rights of : We come to this conclusion: The (or the) federal government is needed to protect the rights of minorities.minorities.

AbbreviationsAbbreviations

Capitalize abbreviations for government departments and agencies, other organizations, corporations, Capitalize abbreviations for government departments and agencies, other organizations, corporations, trade names, and call letters for radio and television stations.trade names, and call letters for radio and television stations.

ExamplesExamples: FBI, IBM, Xerox, WRVL: FBI, IBM, Xerox, WRVL

Use capitalization also for the pronoun Use capitalization also for the pronoun ‘‘II’’..

ExamplesExamples1. 1. BBali is an ali is an IIndonesian ndonesian IIsland. sland.

2. 2. HHer name is er name is MMary.ary.

3. 3. SShe lives in he lives in SSpain.pain.

4. 4. TThey live in a hey live in a GGeorgian house.eorgian house.

5. 5. The The GGreat reat GGatsbyatsby

6. The 6. The QQueen of ueen of EEnglandngland

7. 7. JJoseph oseph CConradonrad’’s novel, s novel, HHeart of eart of DDarknessarkness

8. the 8. the UUniversity of niversity of DDelawareelaware

9. the 9. the SSecond econd WWorld orld WWarar

10. 10. HHe lives at 10 e lives at 10 GGreenstoke reenstoke AAvenue, venue, NNewbay, ewbay, BBristol.ristol.

11. 11. SShe was born on he was born on TTuesday the sixth of uesday the sixth of JJune, 1998.une, 1998.

12. 12. TThe shops on he shops on FFifth ifth AAvenue were decorated for venue were decorated for CChristmas.hristmas.

A few more examples…A few more examples…13. 13. JJapanese and apanese and RRussian are difficult languages to learn.ussian are difficult languages to learn.

14. 14. MMany stars shop on any stars shop on RRodeo odeo DDrive.rive.

15. 15. ““WWait,ait,”” he said, he said, ““until the until the BBears have won the rest of the ears have won the rest of the season.season.””

16. 16. TThe reporter asked he reporter asked MMayor ayor JJohnson about the events of the ohnson about the events of the previous day.previous day.

17. 17. OOn the fourth of n the fourth of JJuly, we celebrate the uly, we celebrate the WWar of ar of IIndependence.ndependence.

18. 18. EEveryone was planning to go out for veryone was planning to go out for IIndian food.ndian food.

19. 19. HHe has always driven a e has always driven a PPorche.orche.

A few more examples…A few more examples…

20. 20. TThe class had to read and write a paper on the he class had to read and write a paper on the LLord ord of the of the RRings.ings.

21. 21. TThey all watch hey all watch AAmerican merican IIdol on dol on FFox every ox every TTuesday.uesday.