Chapter 17 Capitalization

Level 1: Basic Rules Beginning of a Sentence The man walked very fast. The pronoun I Always capitalized. Proper Nouns Names of people, places, schools, streets, parks, buildings, holidays, etc. Proper Adjectives Derived from proper nouns Swiss watch

If it is a derived from a proper noun that is common, do not capitalize. Geographic Locations Specific places, not general places  Lake Michigan Do not capitalize the words city, state, or county when they are after geographic locations (unless they are apart of the name) Organization Names Articles (a, an, the) are not capitalized, unless they are officially apart of the name

Short conjunctions, prepositions that have two or three letters—are only capitalized if the 1 st or last word Committee, company, association, board usually are not capitalized Academic Courses and Degree Numbered courses and specific titles are capitalized If generalized courses, not capitalized Abbreviations of academic degrees are capitalized  AA, BS Do not capitalize general mentions of degrees

 A bachelors degree Seasons Are not capitalized, unless combined with a year  Summer of '69

Level 2: Special Rules of Capitalization Business Correspondence Components Capitalize certain word components needed in letters, memos, and s. Titles of People Capitalize courtesy titles (Mr., Mrs., etc) Do not capitalize appositives, unless a proper name is mentioned Titles or Offices Following Names  Not capitalized if after proper noun

Titles or Offices Replacing Names  Usually are not capitalized—replace a person's name  Will be capitalized—using a title in direct address What is the answer, Professor? Titles in Business Correspondence  Capitalize openings and endings Family Titles  Do not capitalize family titles after possessive pronouns or nouns  Do capitalize titles of close relatives when they are used without pronouns Call Grandma, she needs to talk to you.

Numbered and Lettered Items Capitalize nouns followed by numbers or letters (except: page, paragraph, line, size, verse, and vitamin)  Volume 3 Points of the Compass (N, S, E, W) Capitalize if they are specific regions  West Coast Do not capitalize if they are general regions  I live south of Norfolk Ave. Departments, Divisions, Offices, Agencies, and Committees

If you know the specific name—needs to be capitalized. If you do not know it, not capitalized Government Terms Do not capitalize the words federal, government, nation, or state—unless part of a specific title. Product Names Capitalize if specific product names, otherwise, not capitalized  Coca-Cola  Tissues  Band-Aid

Published and Artistic Titles Capitalize the main words in the titles  Articles, conjunctions, and short prepositions are not capitalized, unless at the beginning or the end. If there is a subdivision in the title, it needs to be italicized or underscored.

Level 3: Additional Rules of Capitalization Beginning Words Capitalize the first word in quoted sentences, independent phrases, enumerated items, and formal rules or principals following colons. Celestial Bodies Capitalize names of planets, stars, etc. earth, sun or moon are not capitalized Ethnic, Cultural, Language, and Religious References

Hyphenate terms such as African-American and French-Canadian when they are used as adjectives. Words Following marked and stamped Capitalize words that follow these words Special Uses of Personal Titles and Terms If a title is marked in minutes, or bylaws, it will be capitalized.  By a vote, the Commissioner's rule was added. Ex, elect, late, and former not capitalized even when they are linked with capitalized titles.  ex-President