Capitalization
Guidelines and Practice
As a general rule, capitalize proper nouns – proper nouns name a specific person, place, thing or idea
1. Always capitalize the first word of a sentence or direct quotation.
Example:
Damian said, "Let's go to the park."
2. Always capitalize the pronoun, "I."
Example:
He asked if I wanted to go to the park.
3. Capitalize most words in the titles of books, magazines, newspapers, articles, stories, essays, plays, poems, works of art, musical compositions, films, and television programs. Do not capitalize articles, prepositions, coordinating conjunctions, or the to of an infinitive (to know) unless they are the first or last words in a title or subtitle.
Example:
I love the movie "Running on Empty," but I truly dislike "The Nightmare on Elm Street."
Practice with Rules 1-3
4. Capitalize the name of a family relationship when it is used before a person's name (Uncle Jose) or in place of a name (Is Mom here?) but not when it's used after a possessive word (Magda's sister).
Examples:
Aunt Stephanie asked Mom, "Where is Fran's cousin?"
My mom told her that Fran's cousin was in the hospital.
5. Capitalize words that show rank, office, or profession when they are used before a person's name. The titles of high offices occupied by a single person are capitalized even when they are used without the official's name (the President, the Speaker of the House).
Examples:
The Vice President contacted several constituents.
My neighbor, Professor Martinez, responded to the Vice President's inquiry.
6. In a geographical name, capitalize the first letter of each word except articles and prepositions (the Gulf of Mexico).
Examples:
We went to Washington, D. C last summer.
After visiting Washington, D. C., we went to Chicago and Lake Michigan.
7. A common noun that is part of a geographical name is capitalized (Washington State). A common noun that refers to a proper noun is not capitalized (the state of Washington).
Example:
We also visited the state of Vermont.
8. A noun modified by a proper adjective is not capitalized unless the adjective and noun together form a geographical name (the Arabian Sea, an Arabian horse).
Example:
That is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in town!
9. Capitalize names of parts of a country and the proper adjectives that come from them (Western boots)
10. Do not capitalize compass directions or adjectives that come from them (a northbound train).
Examples:
The West is known for more liberal politics.
I'm travelling west on 30th Avenue.
11. Capitalize the names of languages, races, nationalities, and the adjectives formed from them.
Examples:
Francisca learned Spanish from her grandparents.
Jorge has Chilean and Italian citizenship.
12. Capitalize important words in the names of organizations, firms, schools, churches, and other institutions (the National Endowment for the Arts)
Example:
The Department of Homeland Security has broken several privacy laws.
13. Capitalize specific names of historical events, documents, and periods.
Examples:
The Civil War marked a turning point in history.
The new legislation modified the Constitution.
14. Capitalize words referring to religions, deities, and religious texts.
Example:
The Bible, Koran, and Torah are respected by millions of people.
15. Capitalize days of the week, months, and holidays but not the seasons.
Examples:
She will celebrate her birthday on the first Saturday in September.
The celebration will be at the end of the summer.
16. Capitalize a name brand but not the product itself.
Example:
Sometimes I buy Starbucks coffee but not often.
17. Capitalize the names of specific courses (usually followed by a number) but not those of general subject areas (mathematics).
Examples:
I love to study history.
I'm planning to take History 202 this summer.