Mechanics Mania: Capitalization Workshop CAS

Capitalization

Capitalization is the writing of a word with its first letter as an upper case and the remaining letters in lower case.

This workshop lists some guidelines for capitalization. If you have a question about whether a specific word should be capitalized that doesn't fit under one of these rules, try checking with your teacher, a tutor, a dictionary, or the Internet to see if the word should be capitalized.

Rule #1

Capitalize the first word in a sentence.

Example:

When John tells a joke, he sometimes forgets the punch line.

Most people have trouble with writing.

Rule #2

Always capitalize the pronoun “I,” even if it is not at the beginning of a sentence.

Example:

I hope that I can figure out all of these rules.

Although these rules are complicated, I hope I can figure them all out.

Rule #3

Capitalize all proper nouns, including the names of people, countries, cities, states, regions, streets, oceans, lakes, rivers, parks, highways, organizations, and companies.

Note: Proper nouns name specific, often one-of-a-kind, items.

Examples:

The Titanic sailed across the Atlantic Ocean.

We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge.

There are nine justices on the United States Supreme Court.

Amy's house is two miles south of Glendora.

The Andersons moved to the Minnesota.

Do not capitalize words like street, river, lake, etc. unless they are part of a proper name.

Example:

Their house is actually on the lake, across the street from our house.

Rule #4

Capitalize proper adjectives that apply to people, nationalities, languages, races, religions, and religious terms.

Nouns: AsiaJewItalyChristFranceRome

Adjectives: AsianJewishItalianChristianFrenchRoman

Examples:

In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the god who ruled over all the other gods and people.

My husband likes waffles, but I prefer French toast.

A Bar mitzvah is a ceremony that initiates a young male into the Jewish religious community.

Barack Obama is the first African-American president of the United States.

Rule #5

Capitalize the days of the week, the months of the year, and holidays (but not the seasons used generally).

Examples:

Halloween is always on October 31st.

I love autumn colors and spring flowers.

I was born on a Sunday, but my birthday this year is on a Friday

Rule #6

Capitalize titles showing a person’s profession, rank, office, or family relationship when used as their name.

Examples:

Mayor Randall Fisher was defeated in the latest election.

I sent a thank-you note to Aunt Abigail, but not to my other aunts.

Did you buy a present for your father?

The captain of the football team was benched because of an injury.

Rule #7

Capitalize major words in the titles of books, stories, movies, poems, paintings, and songs except prepositions, conjunctions, and articles.

Examples:

In 1497 Leonardo di Vinci completed The Last Supper on the wall of a convent in Milan.

One of Jerry's favorite books is The Catcher in the Rye.

The King’s Speech was a major box office success.

Rule #8: Do not over-capitalize!

Do not capitalize the common names of trees, flowers, birds, fish, occupations, diseases, games, or foods.

Examples:

teacherapplescardinaltenniscancerbass

pizzaoakmeaslesgeraniumdaisypretzel

salmonfootballsteakgolfmanagerinterior designer

Exercise #1: Examine the underlined word in each of the following sentences. Indicate whether the word should be capitalized or not by circling one of the options below the sentence. Then, explain in your own words why it should or should not be capitalized.

  1. Yolanda needs to go to the doctor’s office to getAllergy medication.

This word should / should not be capitalized.

Reason: ______

  1. For my mom’s birthday, my Sisters and I bought her a beautiful necklace with a heart charm.

This word should / should not be capitalized.

Reason: ______

  1. The school semester begins in August, just two weeks before labor Day.

This word should / should not be capitalized.

Reason: ______

  1. Next Saturday, Jenny and Alexis are going to visit Martha in San Diego.

This word should / should not be capitalized.

Reason: ______

  1. Toni Morrison’s novel, The Bluest Eye, is one of the best books I have ever read.

This word should / should not be capitalized.Reason: ______

Exercise #3: Add capital letters where they are needed.

  1. We enjoyed driving through vermont to see the dazzling fall leaves.
  2. During the war of 1812 the white house was burned by the british.
  3. michael met sandy last july at a pool party.
  4. We are going to celebrate hannukah in baltimore this year.
  5. We are spending a week in the south during christmas vacation.
  6. The capital of california is sacramento.
  7. Every time I visit mcdonalds, I order a cheeseburger and a chocolate shake.
  8. My aunt and uncle recently took a road trip to arizona, and they took some great pictures of the grand canyon.
  9. Allison and her sister lauren are huge harry potter fans.
  10. mark twain is most famous for writing the adventures of huckleberry finn.
  11. michelle robinson, now known as michelle obama, graduated from princeton university and earned her law degree from harvard.
  12. brian loves sushi, but I feel like eating italian food for dinner.
  13. the young man became a citizen of the u.s.a.
  1. are dr. owusu and senator jackson members of the p.t.a.?
  1. the month of march can be very cold, but spring will come soon.
  1. i would like to hear about algeria from r.a. lajnef.
  1. elementary school closes early on mondays.
  1. there will be a parade on main street in los angeles, california onmemorial day.
  1. can you see the washington monument from the potomac river?
  1. ms fernandez will travel to mexico in september to buy fabric forher company, textiles international.
  1. they asked officer moore to meet them at 212 fifth avenue.
  1. charles dickens wrote the classic, oliver twist, about life in england.

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