Capitalization Rules
*Capitalize the first word in a sentence or line of poetry.
Ex: Today John andTom will attend the concert.
Capitalize the pronoun I, both alone and in contractions.
Ex: I would like a banana split for dessert.
When the bus comes, I'll sit in the back seat.
Proper Nouns
*Capitalize proper nouns and their abbreviations.
*Please refer to the following capitalization rules when you edit your writing.
Names of Persons and Animals
*Capitalize the names of particular persons and animals.
Persons: Alisa, H.W. Solomon, Albert M. Miller, Jr.
Animals: Spot, Fluffy, Duke, Miss Kitty
Geographical Names
*Capitalize the names of particular places and bodies of water.
Streets, Highways: Avery Road (Rd.), Ohio Turnpike, Route 128, Fifty-sixth Street
Cities, States: Los Angeles, California
Countries: Egypt, New Zealand, China, India
Continents: North America, Africa, Antarctica
Mountains: Blue Ridge Mountains, Mount Hood
Parks: Bryce Canyon National Park,
Islands: Vancouver Island, Cape Hatteras
Bodies of Water: Mississippi River, Lake Ontario, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico
***Section of the country, such as the Southwest and the East are also capitalized.(The word theis often used in naming a section of the country.)Simple compass directions, however, are not capitalized.
Section of the country: I once lived in the South.
Compass directions: Go south for six miles.
Planets and Stars
*Capitalize the names of planets and stars. Do not capitalize sun and moon.
Planets: Mercury, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto
Stars: the North Star, Sirius, Canopus
***Do NOT capitalize earth if the comes before it.
Capital: Is Venus bigger or smaller than Earth.
No Capital: Many satellites are orbiting the earth.
Nouns of Historical Importance
*Capitalize the names of historical events, periods, and documents.
Events: the French Revolution, the Battle of Hastings, the War of 1812
Periods: the Victorian Era, the Space Age
Documents: the Declaration of Independence
***Prepositions, such as the of, in Declaration of Independence, are not capitalized.
Names of Groups and Businesses
*Capitalize the names of organizations, businesses, institutions, and government bodies.
Organizations: the National Organization for Women, the Red Cross, the New York Yankees
Businesses: the Douglas Equipment Company, R.F. Foster and Sons, Inc., Casper's Market
Institutions: Glover Memorial Hospital, Tamaqua Middle School, Penn State University
Government Bodies: the Senate, the House of Lords, the Department of Commerce, Congress
Specific Time Periods and Events
*Capitalize the days of the week, months of the year, civil and religious holidays, and special events. Also capitalize the abbreviations used in giving dates and the time of day: A.D., B.C., A.M., P.M.
Days, Months: Monday, Tuesday, February, March
Holidays: Martin Luther King Day, New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday
Special Events: the New York Marathon, Tulip Festival
Abbreviations: The alarm is set for 6:30 A.M.
***Do NOT capitalize the seasons of the year unless they are part of a specific name.
No Capital: Each fall the squirrels prepare for winter.
Capital: Are you going to the next dance, the one called the Fall Fling?
Nationalities, Races, and Religions
*Capitalize the names of nationalities, races, and religions. Also capitalize religious references.
Nationalities: an Italian, a Seminole, a Canadian
Races: Caucasian, Asian
Religions: Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism
Religious References: God, the Almighty, the Old Testament, the Talmud, the Koran, the Vedas
***The word god is not capitalized when it refers to mythological gods. Their names, however, are capitalized.
Ex: The god who gave fire to mortals was Prometheus.
Languages and Specific School Courses
*Capitalize the names of languages and of courses followed by a number.
Languages: English, Turkish, Russian
Numbered Courses: Art II, Typing I, Chorus II
***Course names such as history, math, science, and physical education are not capitalized.
Other Proper Nouns
*Capitalize all other proper nouns.
Awards: The Nobel Peace Prize, the World Cup
Brand Names: Dixie cups, Dove soap, Chevrolet sedan (The product itself are NOT capitalized.)
Monuments, Memorials: the Gateway Arch, the Pearl Harbor Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial
Vehicles: the Queen Mary, Apollo V, Air Force One (Always Italicize, or underline, vehicles' names.)
Proper Adjectives
*Capitalize most proper adjectives.
*Capitalize the titles of people and works of art.
Titles Used with Names of People
*Capitalize a title showing office, rank, or profession when it comes before a person's name. The same title is usually not capitalized when it follows a name.
Before a Name: The speaker will be Governor Blake.
After a Name: Would Todd like to be the governor?
Before a Name: That woman is Colonel Hanks.
After a Name: When was Ann promoted to colonel?
Titles Used in Direct Address
*A noun of direct address is used to call someone by name. Capitalize a title used alone, instead of a name, in direct address.
Direct Address: What is your opinion, Doctor?
Titles Showing Family Relationships
*Capitalize titles showing family relationships when the titles come before people's names. Capitalize the titles, also, when they are used instead of names or used in direct address.
Before a Name: Is Uncle David staying for dinner?
Used as a Name: Yesterday Mom fixed my lunch.
In Direct Address: Thanks for the ride, Dad.
*When a possessive noun or pronoun comes before a title showing family relationship, do not capitalize the title - unless it is considered part of the person's name.
No Capital:My aunt is talking to Linda's brother.
Capital: Is your Aunt Harriet from Arizona visiting?
Titles of Written Works and Other Works of Art
*Capitalize the first work, the last word, and all important words in the titles of books, newspapers, magazines, stories, poems, movies, plays, musical compositions, and other works of art. Do not capitalize a preposition, a coordinating conjunction, or an article unless it is the first or last word in a title.
Written Works: I liked the chapter "People and Land" in our textbook The Geography of the World.
The article "Starvation around the World" on the front page of the Hartford Courant was very sad. (Generally
the word the before a newspaper or magazine title is not capitalized.)
Musical Compositions: The song "Tomorrow" is from the musical Annie.