Capitalization!Capitalization!Lessons 1-5Lessons 1-5

Capitalization!Capitalization!Lessons 1-5Lessons 1-5

Lesson #1:Proper Nouns and Proper

Adjectives

• Capitalize the names and also the initials or abbreviations that stand for those names.– E.B. White Elwyn Brooks

White

Lesson #1:Proper Nouns and Proper Adjectives (continued)

• Capitalize title used with names.– Mayor Brown -Mr. David Chang– Dr. T. Brush -Mrs. G.H. Smith– Lt. C.E. Morro -Ms. Moniz

• Capitalize the following titles when used alone if they refer to the current holders of their positions.– The President (of the U.S.)– The Queen (of England)– The Vice-President (of the U.S.) – The Pope

• Do not capitalize titles used as common nouns.– Yesterday the mayor addressed the city

council.– One of the doctors on call is Dr. Ross.

Lesson #1:Proper Nouns and Proper Adjectives (continued)

• Capitalize words such as mother, father, aunt, uncle, brother, and sister when the titles are used as names. – Uncle Rob gave Mother a ring for her

birthday.

• When the noun is modified by a personal pronoun, the noun is not capitalized.– My mother helped me make my costume

for the party.

Lesson #2:Pronouns, Religions, and

Locations

• Capitalize the pronoun “I”.

• Capitalize words referring to the Deity and to religious scripture.– Allah, Jesus, the Bible, the Koran

• Do not capitalize the words that refer to mythological deities. – In Greek myths, Athena was the

goddess of wisdom.

Lesson #2:Pronouns, Religions, and Locations (continued)

• Capitalize major words in geographical names. Also capitalize names of sections of the United States but not compass directions.– Continents: North America, Asia– Bodies of Water: the Atlantic Ocean, the

Nile River– Landforms: the Rocky Mountains– Political Units (Cities/States): New York

City, West Virginia– Public Area: Fort McHenry, Central Park– Roads and Highways: Interstate 80,

Route 44, Addison Road

Lesson #2:Pronouns, Religions, and Locations (continued)

• Capitalize the names of sections of the United States and proper adjectives derived from them.– Many large cities are located in the

Northeast.– The Southwest is known for its hot, dry

weather.

• Do not capitalize directions of the compass or adjectives derived from them.– The flight east was smooth. – He likes northern winters.

Lesson #3:Institutions, Historical Events,

Languages, Holidays, and Subjects

• Capitalize all the important words in the names of organizations and institutions, including abbreviations.– Smith Middle School – University of Connecticut– UCONN

• Do not capitalize such words as: school, college, and church when they are not used as names.– Turn left at the church, then go right at the light.

Lesson #3: Institutions, Historical Events, Languages, Holidays, and Subjects (continued)

• Capitalize the names of historical events, documents, and periods of time.– Battle of Gettysburg -The Civil War

• Capitalize the names of months, days, and holidays, but not the names of the seasons.– The fall holiday of Halloween is always

October 31.– My favorite season is summer.

• Capitalize the names of languages, races, ethnic groups, nationalities, and religions.– French– Spanish– German

• Do not capitalize the names of school subjects unless they are languages or unless a course name is followed by a number.– World History I– history – mathematics– English

Lesson #3: Institutions, Historical Events, Languages, Holidays, and Subjects (continued)

• Capitalize the first word of every sentence.– We went to the store

• Capitalize the names of ships, trains, aircraft, and the brand names of automobiles.– Titanic– Ford– Volkswagen– Concorde

• Capitalize the abbreviations: – B.C. and B.C.E. -A.D. and C.E.

– A.M. and P.M.

Lesson #4:Object Names, Common

Abbreviations, Quotations, and Outlines

Lesson #4:Object Names, Common Abbreviations, Quotations, and Outlines

• Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation.– Susan said, “This book would make a

great movie!”

• Do not capitalize the first word of the second part of a divided quotation unless it starts a new sentence.– “I think,” replied Sasha, “that book

was made into a very popular movie.”– “You are right,” said Dan. “The movie

was made in 1990.”

Lesson #4:Object Names, Common Abbreviations, Quotations, and Outlines

• Capitalize the first word in each entry of an outline.

I. Motion picturesA. Story lines

i. Original scriptsii. Book adaptations

B. Costume design

Lesson # 5:Greetings, Closings, and Titles

• Capitalize all the important words in the greeting and closing of a letter.– Dear Sir: Sincerely,

• Capitalize the first word, last word, and all other important words in the titles of books, poems, short stories, articles, newspapers, magazines, plays, motion pictures, works of art, television programs, and musical compositions.– Book The Island of the Blue Dolphins– Poem “The Raven”– Story “To Build a Fire”– Play The Sound of Music– Movie Field of Dreams