1. Capitalization Rules

2. Capitalization: The Basics
A good rule to follow when dealing with capitalization is to keep in mind that the more specific an item is, the more likely it is to be capitalized.
Examples:
bridge (common noun, lowercase)
London Bridge (proper noun, capitalized)
food (common noun, lowercase)
Chinese food (Chinese is what we call a proper adjective. We would capitalize the adjective here.)

3. Rule 1 Capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence.
“Watch where you are going,” she said, “or you will fall on the recently mopped floor.”

4. Rule 2 Capitalize proper nouns. Jordan Hare Stadium
Great Smoky Mountains (place)
The Roaring Twenties(time period)
The Milky Way (celestial body)

5. Rule 3
Capitalize a title when it precedes the name. Do not capitalize when the title follows the name and describes it.
President Bush
Barbara Sinclair, the chairperson of the committee

6. Rule 4
Capitalize names of ethnic groups, national groups, political parties and their members, and languages
Native Americans
Mexicans
Republican party
Hebrew, Spanish

7. Rule 5
Capitalize when the person's title follows the name on the address or signature line.  
Sincerely,
Barbara Sinclair, Chairperson

8. Rule 6 Capitalize any title when used as a direct address.
Will you see my son now, Doctor?
May we start the meeting now, Principal Richards?

9. Rule 7 & 8 Capitalize regions of the country, not directions.
Living in the South, rarely do we see snow.
Head north on Interstate 85 toward Atlanta to find the airport.
Family relationship (when they refer to a specific person): Uncle Jack
Note: If a possessive pronoun is used in front of the title (such as my uncle Jack), you do not capitalize the relationship.

10. Rule 9
 When it comes to capitalizing titles of books, poems, movies, etc., we capitalize the first word and the most important words in the title. We do not capitalize conjunctions, articles, or prepositions if they are not the first words in the title.
The Crucible
Of Mice and Men
To Kill a Mockingbird

11. Rule 10 Do not capitalize names of seasons.
I enjoy winter weather during the Christmas season.

12. Rule 11
Capitalize the first word and all nouns in letter salutations and the first word in letter closings.  
Salutations:
Dear Dr. Smith,
My dear Aunt,
To whom it may concern:
Closings:
Your sincere Friend,
Thank you,

13. Rule 12 Capitalize the names of course titles.
I must pass science, two electives, and Algebra II to earn enough credits.
Courses like English and Spanish will always be capitalized.

14. Resource http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/capital.asp
Glencoe Language Arts Grammar and Language Workbook

15. Bell Ringer 1/9: Write each sentence
Bell Ringer 1/9: Write each sentence. Correct all errors in capitalization.
Our Club raised money for the American heart association.
The U.S. senate and house of representatives may pass a bill to become a law, but the president can veto it.
Malcom Smith is only the third linebacker in nfl history to earn super bowl MVP Honors.
Abandoned cars littered the road after a Winter snowstorm slammed into the south on Tuesday.
Guz Malzahn accepted his Coach Of The Year honors.

16. Read each sentence. Write the words that should and should NOT be capitalized.
The judges of the essay contest are mrs. sarah wright and mr. john smith.
The Governor is a member of the republican party.
I enjoy Spring weather during the months of april and may.
I must pass Science, History, and my spanish II class in order to graduate on time.
She attended Valley High school before enrolling in Auburn university.

17. When we were in tennessee in October, we drove to the top of lookout mountain.
Please see Sarah, President of the committee for more information about prom duties.