Capitalization

Capitalize People and Cultures People’s names and initials Example: James E. Jones Titles and the abbreviations of some titles when they follow a name Mark Hayes, M.D. Sara Mines, Ph.D.

Capitalize People and Cultures Titles of heads of state or royalty when they are used with the person’s name Example: President Lincoln Titles including family relationships only when it is used as part of a name Aunt Susan Uncle James My brother (not capitalized)

Capitalize People and Cultures The pronoun- I Religions, sacred days, sacred writings, and deities Examples: Muslim, Bible, Allah, God

Capitalize People and Cultures The names of nationalities, languages, races and some ethnic groups and the adjectives formed from these. Examples: German, English, Native American, Caucasian Do not capitalize the word god or goddess when it refers to ancient mythology

Capitalize First Words and Titles The first word of every sentence. The first word of every line of traditional poetry The first word of a direct quotation if it is a complete sentence Example: She said, “Is it raining?”

Capitalize First Words and Titles The first word of each item in an outline I. Proper nutrition A. Basic food groups 1. Bread and grain 2. Protein

Capitalize First Words and Titles The first word in the greeting of a letter and the closing Dear Josie, Sincerely yours,

Capitalize First Words and Titles The first word, the last word and all other important words in titles. Don’t capitalize articles (an, a, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), or prepositions less than five letters (of, on, it) Example: Gone With the Wind The Sound and the Fury

Capitalize Places and Transportation Continents, bodies of water, islands, mountains, landforms, world regions, nations, states, cities, streets Examples: North America, Atlantic Ocean, Hawaiian Islands, Mount Whitney, Gobi Desert, Middle East, Canada, New York, Buffalo, Girdle Road

Capitalize Places and Transportation The names of planets and other specific objects in the universe. Examples: Mars, Milky Way Galaxy The words north, south, east and west when they name particular regions in the country or world or when they are parts of proper names. Do not capitalize them when they are directions. Example: South America We flew north to Canada.

Capitalize Places and Transportation The names of specific buildings, bridges, monuments, landmarks, airplanes, ships, trains, cars and spacecraft. Examples: Brooklyn Bridge, Washington Monument, Santa Maria, Orient Express

Capitalize Organizations and Other Subjects All important words in the names of organizations, institutions, stores, and companies. Examples: Boston University, National League of Women Voters Historical events, periods, and documents. Examples: French Revolution Ice Age

Capitalize Organizations and Other Subjects The abbreviations: B.C., A.D., A.M., and P.M. Names of months, days, holidays, but not seasons except when they are used as part of a festival or celebration Example: Flag day, Monday, Fourth of July

Capitalize Organizations and Other Subjects Names of special events and awards. Examples: Pulitzer Prize Brand names of products, but not a common noun that follows a brand name Example: Colgate toothpaste