Capitalization Rules



Capitalization Rules

Capitalize the pronoun “I” and the interjection “O” (but not “oh”)

Ex: Walt Whitman wrote a poem called “O Captain!

My Captain!”

Capitalize proper nouns and adjectives

Ex: a poet Homer Homeric simile

Capitalize geographical names—towns, counties, states, regions

Ex: Mt. Airy, Surry County, North Carolina, The South

Capitalize countries, continents, islands, mountains, bodies of water, roads/streets, parks

Ex: Turkey, Europe, Long Island, Rocky Mountains,

Atlantic Ocean, Arlington Road, Yellowstone National

Park

Capitalize names of organizations, business firms,

institutions, and government bodies

Ex: National Basketball Assoc., J.C. Penney Co.,

North Surry High School, Northern Hospital,

Congress, State Department

Capitalize the names of historical events and periods, special events and calendar items

Ex: Middle Ages, Victorian, Interscholastic Debate

Tournament, Veteran’s Day, Friday, September

Capitalize the names of nationalities, races and religions

Ex: Canadians, Oriental, Baptist, Moslem

Capitalize the brand name of business products

Ex: Chevrolet, Nike, Mudd

Capitalize the names of ships, planets, monuments, awards, and any other particular places, things or events

Ex: the Mayflower, Apollo 13, Mars, the Milky Way,

Washington Monument, Chrysler Building, Purple

Heart

Do NOT capitalize the names of school subjects, except for languages and courses that are followed by a number

Ex: algebra, Algebra I, English, French, biology

Capitalize titles

Ex: President Bush, Dr. Bledsoe, Mrs. Whitaker

Capitalize a title used alone or following a person’s name only if it refers to a high official or to someone to whom you wish to show special respect

Ex: The Reverend spoke at graduation. 2. The

President was outside the White House. 3. James,

president of the French club…

Capitalize words that show family relationship when used with a person’s name but NOT when preceded by a possessive

Ex: Aunt Judy, Cousin Chrissy, Grandmother, my

mother, your brother, Brandon’s grandmother

Capitalize the first and last words and all important words in titles of books, periodicals, poems, stories, movies, television programs, painting, and other works of art

Ex: Gone With the Wind, “The Raven”, Mona Lisa, Bill

of Rights, Sixty Minutes, “Friends”

Capitalize words referring to the Deity

Ex: God and His universe

-The word god is NOT capitalized if it refers to the gods of ancient myths

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