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Proper Capitalization Rules for Writing

Learn proper capitalization rules for different types of words and expressions in writing, including names, titles, locations, and organizations. Enhance your writing skills and ensure accuracy with capitalization.

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Proper Capitalization Rules for Writing

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  1. Objectives • Use capitalization rules for proper nouns, first words in sentences, specific organizations, committees, government agencies, boards, and departments. • Apply capitalization rules for publications, events, holidays, acts, bills, laws, and titles. • Apply capitalization rules for academic degrees, languages, education levels and courses, and ethnic and religious designations. continued PP 6-1a

  2. Objectives continued • Apply capitalization rules for time periods, seasons, days and months, specific and general locations, and directions. • Apply capitalization rules for abbreviations, nouns with numbers, trademarks, brand names, and product names. • Apply capitalization rules for direct and indirect quotes, words after colons, and material within parentheses. continued PP 6-1b

  3. Objectives continued • Identify appropriate items to capitalize in lists, outlines, business letters, and legal documents. PP 6-1c

  4. Capitalization Rules Capitalize the first word in a sentence. Managing time reduces stress. Capitalize proper nouns. Do not capitalize common nouns. The Benbow Inn is in California. We attended a time management workshop. Capitalize the names or nicknames of specific persons. Elena Catelli Nick PP 6-2a

  5. Capitalization Rules Always capitalize the pronoun I. Do not capitalize other pronouns unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence. I return my phone calls at 11 a.m. He kept his urgent papers in a red folder. Capitalize specific names of geographic locations. Do not capitalize general location names. Kansas City is located in both Kansas and Missouri. The mountains of Colorado are beautiful. PP 6-2b

  6. Capitalization Rules continued Capitalize informal substitutions for proper nouns and shortened versions of proper nouns. These substitutions are often referred to as imaginative names and nicknames. the Oval Office Air Force One Mother Nature a Big Mac Big Brother (intrusive big government) the Beltway (Washington, D.C.) the Big Apple (New York City) City of Angels (Los Angeles) the Pacific Rim PP 6-2c

  7. Capitalization Rules continued Capitalize adjectives formed from proper nouns. However, adjectives formed from proper nouns that are now commonly used and that are no longer identified with those nouns are not capitalized. Italian leather french fries Greek food manila folder Australian hat arabic numbers Proper Adjectives Commonly Used Adjectives PP 6-2d

  8. Companies, Institutions, and Clubs Capitalize the first letters of all major words in names of companies, institutions, organizations, and clubs. Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and,but, or, nor), and prepositions with fewer than four letters (of, in, on, by) unless one of these words is the first word of the name. Valley of the Moon Camp Inn at the Tides The Pet Pantry Sonoma State University PP 6-3a

  9. Companies, Institutions, and Clubs continued Do not capitalize words such as company, club, institution, or organization when used as general expressions. company employees our club’s policies the mission of the college PP 6-3b

  10. Departments, Committees, and Divisions Capitalize the specific names of departments, committees, project teams, or divisions within the organization with which the writer is associated. The Human Resources Department offers time management seminars. Do not capitalize names of departments, committees, project teams, or divisions if words other than the appear before them or if the names are not precise. Call someone in their accounting department about your refund. PP 6-4

  11. Government Units Capitalize specific official names of foreign, national, state, and local government units. The Republic of Ireland National Park Service Capitalize the names of agencies, divisions, departments, offices, commissions, and boards. Human Services Department Cultural Heritage Board Capitalize short forms of the names of government units. the Housethe Congress PP 6-5

  12. Titles Capitalize a social, professional, religious, academic, political, or military title that precedes a name. Mrs. Jamie Chen Dr. Bruce Comstock Professor Betty HowellMayor Bob Lindsey Capitalize a title that follows the name of a high-ranking foreign, national, or state government official. Capitalize a title used to substitute for the complete name of a high-ranking government official. George W. Bush, President of the United States Thomas Vilsack, Governor of Iowa PP 6-6a

  13. Titles continued Do not capitalize the title of a company, institution, or association official that follows a name or that is used as a substitute for a complete name unless practice or tradition indicates to the contrary. Robin Matthews, president of Evergreen Nursery Dan Johanson, secretary of United Farm Workers of America PP 6-6b

  14. Titles continued Do not capitalize occupational titles used in a general way. The manager reviewed our priorities. Capitalize a title used as a substitute for a complete name in a direct address. When will you vote on the bill, Senator? Capitalize a title used in place of a name in minutes or bylaws. The President called the meeting to order. PP 6-6c

  15. Family Titles Capitalize the title of a family member when it is used by itself or when it is used in direct address. I always wondered how Father found time to coach Little League. I will not be home for dinner tonight, Mom. Capitalize the title of a family member when it precedes a name. I ride to work with Aunt Julia. PP 6-7

  16. Publications Capitalize the first letters of all the words with four or more letters in the title of a book, magazine, or newspaper. Underscore or place these titles in italics. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions with fewer than four letters unless they are the first or last words in the title. Ames Daily Tribune Travel and Leisure The Boston Globe Sports Illustrated magazine PP 6-8a

  17. Publications continued Capitalize the first letters of all the main words in works such as chapters in books, magazine articles, plays, musical productions, movies, documentaries, speeches, radio and television programs, and poems. Place quotation marks around these titles. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions with fewer than four letters unless they are the first or last words in the title. “The Death of a Salesman” (play) “Phantom of the Opera” (musical production) PP 6-8b

  18. Events and Holidays Capitalize the names of historical and current events, holidays, and special events. Vietnam War Thanksgiving Labor Day Leukemia Curathon Summit Avenue Walking Tour PP 6-9

  19. Acts, Bills, and Laws Capitalize specific titles of laws, acts, codes, and amendments. Child Safety Law 102 Family and Medical Leave Act Do not capitalize general names of laws, acts, codes, or amendments. the animal control regulations several conservation bills PP 6-10

  20. Academic Degrees Capitalize a specific academic degree that follows a person’s name. Jan Reynolds, Ph.D., teaches time management. Do not capitalize academic degrees used in a general way. She received her associate’s degree from Pikes Peak Community College. PP 6-11

  21. Languages Always capitalize names of specific languages. Mark speaks Danish and Swedish fluently. This computer program translates English into Japanese. PP 6-12

  22. Education Levels, Subjects, and Courses Capitalize a specific education course title. Office Communications 202 Do not capitalize the general name of a course or area of study or a general level of education. majoring in computer applications earning an accounting certificate completed classes in business English and communications PP 6-13

  23. Ethnic Designations Capitalize the names of nationalities, ethnic groups, and races. Native Americans British Asian Hispanic PP 6-14

  24. Religious References Capitalize the names of specific religious groups, religious days and books, names of churches, and any adjectives formed from religious terms. Judaism Koran Christians Easter PP 6-15

  25. Days, Months, and Seasons Capitalize days of the week and months of the year. Monday September Do not capitalize the name of a season unless it is listed with a specific year or is included in the specific name of an event. summer sales Art in Autumn Festival PP 6-16

  26. Time Periods Do not capitalize time periods, decades, or centuries used in a general way. first-quarter earnings the last century Do not capitalize a.m. or p.m. or general times of the day. The seminar began at 9 a.m. Our luncheon will start at noon. PP 6-17

  27. Compass Directions Capitalize compass directions when they designate specific regions of the country. the far East Northern Ireland Capitalize derivatives of specific regions. Southerners Westerners Do not capitalize general compass points or directions. northern Minnesota east side of Chicago turn west on Interstate 5 travel north on Ely Road Capitalize compass points that are part of a street name. 250 South Eastman Lane 312 Swan Drive, SE PP 6-18

  28. Abbreviations Capitalize an abbreviation representing a proper noun. UPS United Parcel Service AFLAC American Family Life Assurance Company Capitalize some shortened forms of common nouns. CPA certified public accountant PC personal computer CEO chief executive officer PP 6-19

  29. Nouns With Letters and Numbers Capitalize nouns when they precede a letter or number. Volume 5 Highway 126 Do not capitalize the first letters of the words line,paragraph, page, size,and verse when they precede a number. page 3 paragraph 4 PP 6-20

  30. Trademarks, Brand Names, and Product Names Capitalize trademarks or specific brand names. Maytag Kleenex Do not capitalize the type of product. appliances tissues PP 6-21

  31. First Words Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation that is a complete sentence. Brenda said, “We are finishing a project.” Do not capitalize the first word of a quotation that cannot stand as a complete sentence. My manager said there is no “free lunch.” Do not capitalize the first word of the second part of an interrupted quotation. “Wasted time,” Elaine said, “helps you reduce tension.” PP 6-22

  32. Capitalizing Words Following a Colon Capitalize the first word following a colon if two or more complete sentences are involved. Consider these ideas for overcoming procrastination: Set a deadline and stick with it. Start with small portions of the project. Do not capitalize the first word of material following a colon if it is not a complete sentence. Shelly said time wasters are categorized into two types: internal and external. PP 6-23a

  33. Capitalizing Words Following a Colon continued Capitalize the first word of a sentence that follows a colon if the sentence states a formal rule (regulation) or needs emphasis. Remember: Do priority tasks first. Do not capitalize the first word of a sentence that follows a colon if the sentence simply expands or completes the first part of the sentence. Michelle had one major goal for the day: she wanted to complete the report. PP 6-23b

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