Rules for Rules for CapitalizationCapitalization

This is one of the easier parts This is one of the easier parts of of

grammar. You already know grammar. You already know most of them. most of them.

1. First word rule1. First word rule

Capitalize the first word of each Capitalize the first word of each sentence. (Was I right? Haven’t sentence. (Was I right? Haven’t you known this one forever???)you known this one forever???)

EX. Exceptional students always EX. Exceptional students always capitalize correctly. capitalize correctly.

2. Quotation Rule2. Quotation Rule

Capitalize the first word of a direct Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation except when it is a split quotation except when it is a split quotation. quotation.

EX. Helen said, “School starts on EX. Helen said, “School starts on Monday morning.” not when—Monday morning.” not when—

““School starts on Monday School starts on Monday morning,” Helen said, “but they morning,” Helen said, “but they hand out the schedules tomorrow.”hand out the schedules tomorrow.”

3. Titles3. Titles

Capitalize the first, last, and all other Capitalize the first, last, and all other important words in titles of books, literary important words in titles of books, literary articles, movies, music, and magazines, articles, movies, music, and magazines, etc. Prepositions, articles, and conjunctions etc. Prepositions, articles, and conjunctions are not usually capitalized unless they are are not usually capitalized unless they are over four letters. over four letters.

EX. EX. To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird (book)(book) ““The Exports of North and South America” The Exports of North and South America”

(article)(article) The Lord of the Rings The Lord of the Rings (movie)(movie)

4. Poems4. Poems

Capitalize the first word of each Capitalize the first word of each line in a poem.line in a poem.

EX. “A thing of beauty is a joy EX. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever;forever;

Its liveliness increases…”Its liveliness increases…”

5. The “I” rule5. The “I” rule

Always, always, always capitalize the Always, always, always capitalize the word “I”. You are the most important word “I”. You are the most important person in your world. Capitalize person in your world. Capitalize yourself. Remember you are in school. yourself. Remember you are in school. You are not texting, im’ing, or You are not texting, im’ing, or anything social. This is business. anything social. This is business.

EX. The teacher took Jimmy and I to EX. The teacher took Jimmy and I to the office because we didn’t capitalize the office because we didn’t capitalize I. I.

6. Name Rule6. Name Rule

Ok, here is another one you know Ok, here is another one you know but forget. Capitalize a person’s but forget. Capitalize a person’s name and the initials of a name and the initials of a person’s name-first and last.person’s name-first and last.

Ex. Thomas James PhillipsEx. Thomas James Phillips T.J. PhillipsT.J. Phillips

7. Title Rule7. Title Rule

Capitalize the titles when used Capitalize the titles when used with, or in place of, a person’s with, or in place of, a person’s name.name.

Ex. I heard Principal Bussard will Ex. I heard Principal Bussard will swat people in the hall if they swat people in the hall if they don’t capitalize correctly. don’t capitalize correctly.

The principal is very kind.The principal is very kind.

8. Mom and Dad rule8. Mom and Dad rule

Capitalize words showing a family’s Capitalize words showing a family’s relationships when used with or in place of a relationships when used with or in place of a person’s name.person’s name.

EX. I asked EX. I asked MomMom for some money. (You could for some money. (You could substitute a name here.)substitute a name here.)

She said that She said that Aunt Sue Aunt Sue would take me.would take me. These words are not usually capitalized if These words are not usually capitalized if

they come after a possessive pronoun.they come after a possessive pronoun. EXEX. My grandmother. My grandmother called called my dad my dad to ask for to ask for

some help.some help.

9. Days and Months 9. Days and Months rulerule

Capitalize the days of the week and Capitalize the days of the week and the months of the year. You must also the months of the year. You must also spell them correctly!!!!!spell them correctly!!!!!

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and SaturdaySaturday

January, February, March, April, May, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, June, July, August, September, October, November, DecemberOctober, November, December

Do not capitalize the seasons. spring, Do not capitalize the seasons. spring, fall, winter, or summerfall, winter, or summer

10. Holiday Rule10. Holiday Rule

Capitalize the names of holidays.Capitalize the names of holidays. EX. New Year’s Day (winter), EX. New Year’s Day (winter),

Memorial Day(summer), Halloween Memorial Day(summer), Halloween (fall), Valentine’s Day (winter), (fall), Valentine’s Day (winter), Fourth of July (summer), Fourth of July (summer), Thanksgiving (fall), Easter (spring), Thanksgiving (fall), Easter (spring), Labor Day (summer) Christmas Labor Day (summer) Christmas (winter), Mother’s Day (spring).(winter), Mother’s Day (spring).

11. Historical events11. Historical events

Capitalize the names of historical Capitalize the names of historical events and periods, documents, events and periods, documents, laws, organizations, and their laws, organizations, and their members. members.

EX. The Great DepressionEX. The Great Depression Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence Bill of Rights Bill of Rights Civil WarCivil War Middle AgesMiddle Ages The Republican PartThe Republican Part a Democrata Democrat

12. Cities, towns, etc.12. Cities, towns, etc.

Capitalize the names of cities, Capitalize the names of cities, towns, counties, states, countries, towns, counties, states, countries, and nations.and nations.

EX. Amarillo EX. Amarillo DumasDumas Moore CountyMoore County TexasTexas United States of AmericaUnited States of America AfricaAfrica MexicoMexico ThailandThailand

13. Directions13. Directions

Capitalize the words north, east Capitalize the words north, east south, and west when they refer to south, and west when they refer to sections of the country ( a place), sections of the country ( a place), but not when they mean direction.but not when they mean direction.

EX. Summers are usually hot in EX. Summers are usually hot in the South. (section of the country)the South. (section of the country)

Walk two blocks south and turn Walk two blocks south and turn right. (direction)right. (direction)

14. Streets, roads, etc.14. Streets, roads, etc.

Capitalize the names of streets, Capitalize the names of streets, roads, highways, routes, and post roads, highways, routes, and post office boxes.office boxes.

EX. Main StreetEX. Main Street P.O. Box 45P.O. Box 45 Route 66Route 66 Jones RoadJones Road Highway 89Highway 89

15. Water 15. Water

Capitalize the names of lakes, Capitalize the names of lakes, rivers, and oceans.rivers, and oceans.

EX. Lake MeredithEX. Lake Meredith Canadian RiverCanadian River Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean

16. Mountains, 16. Mountains, deserts, etc.deserts, etc.

Capitalize the names of mountains, Capitalize the names of mountains, deserts, parks, stars, planets, and deserts, parks, stars, planets, and constellations. Do not capitalize constellations. Do not capitalize “sun” and “moon”, and “earth” “sun” and “moon”, and “earth” when it doesn’t refer to the planet.when it doesn’t refer to the planet.

EX. The Rocky MountainsEX. The Rocky Mountains Sahara DesertSahara Desert Venus Venus the Milky Waythe Milky Way Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park EarthEarth

17. Building, etc.17. Building, etc.

Capitalize the names of building, Capitalize the names of building, bridges, and monuments. bridges, and monuments.

EX. Empire State BuildingEX. Empire State Building Lincoln MemorialLincoln Memorial Golden Gate BridgeGolden Gate Bridge

18. Clubs, businesses, 18. Clubs, businesses, etc.etc.

Capitalize the names of clubs, Capitalize the names of clubs, businesses, organizations, businesses, organizations, schools, and colleges.schools, and colleges.

EX. Leo ClubEX. Leo Club West Texas A&M UniversityWest Texas A&M University Wal-MartWal-Mart Dumas Jr. HighDumas Jr. High Girl Scouts of AmericaGirl Scouts of America Amarillo College Amarillo College

19. School Subjects19. School Subjects

Capitalize the names of specific Capitalize the names of specific school subjects. Always capitalize school subjects. Always capitalize the languages!the languages!

EX. History I (not history)EX. History I (not history) Art 101 (not art)Art 101 (not art) EnglishEnglish SpanishSpanish

20. Nationalities, 20. Nationalities, languages, etc. languages, etc.

Capitalize the names of nationalities, Capitalize the names of nationalities, languages, races, religions, and languages, races, religions, and tribes.tribes.

EX. Roman Catholic ChurchEX. Roman Catholic Church EnglishEnglish HispanicHispanic KarenKaren ChinChin MuslimMuslim BurmeseBurmese

21. Proper names21. Proper names

Capitalize names derived from Capitalize names derived from proper names.proper names.

EX. Italy---- ItalianEX. Italy---- Italian An Italian restaurantAn Italian restaurant Mexico- Mexican foodMexico- Mexican food

22. Religion22. Religion

Capitalize all words referring to Capitalize all words referring to God or Jesus. God or Jesus. Do not capitalize Do not capitalize when used as a general term. when used as a general term.

Ex. The ruler of the universe is Ex. The ruler of the universe is God.God.

I know that He is the Lord.I know that He is the Lord. Romans had more than two Romans had more than two

hundred gods.hundred gods.

23. Bible23. Bible

Capitalize names for the Bible Capitalize names for the Bible and parts of the Bible.and parts of the Bible.

EX. I read the New Testament in EX. I read the New Testament in my Bible.my Bible.

Businesses and Businesses and ProductsProducts

Capitalize the names of businesses Capitalize the names of businesses and the official names of their and the official names of their products. products. Do not capitalize Do not capitalize a a general, descriptive word when it general, descriptive word when it follows the trade name.follows the trade name.

EX. Radio ShackEX. Radio Shack Pizza HutPizza Hut Crest toothpasteCrest toothpaste Tombstone PizzaTombstone Pizza

LettersLetters

Capitalize the words in the Capitalize the words in the heading of a letter. Ex. To Whom heading of a letter. Ex. To Whom It May Concern, or Dear Ms. Kelly,It May Concern, or Dear Ms. Kelly,

Only capitalize the first word in Only capitalize the first word in the closing of a letter. the closing of a letter.

Ex. Sincerely yours,Ex. Sincerely yours, Hugs and kisses,Hugs and kisses,