Capitalization

Capitalize:

Proper Nouns:

Edmond North High School

Pulitzer Prize

Statue of Liberty

• Mrs. Pettiet

People’s Names and Initials

• Sally Smith

• John F. Kennedy

• W. C. Handy

Capitalize titles and the abbreviations of titles used before and after personal

names

• Professor Lee

• Dr. Dan Reeves

• Julie Bishop, M.D.

Capitalize the titles indicating family relationships.

Do NOT capitalize a family name when it follows the person’s name

or when it is used WITHOUT a proper name.

Uncle Bill

Grandpa Joe

Jerry, my cousin, is starting college.

Always capitalize the

word “I”.• I went to the store.

• What will I do?

• Will you eat what I’ve cooked?

Capitalize:

Days of the week and months of the year.

Monday, February 3, 2008

Capitalize the names of religions, sacred days, and

sacred writings.

• Islam

• Christmas

• Bible

Capitalize the names of

nationalities, languages, and

races.• Mexican

• I speak French and Italian.

• Irish American

Capitalize:

• The first word of every sentence.

• The first word of every line in

traditional poems.

Capitalize:• The first word of a direct quotation if it is a

complete sentence.

“What is your favorite book of all time?” asked Mrs. Barton.

Do NOT capitalize:• The first word of the second part of a divided quotation

unless it starts a new sentence.

“Let’s think of the books,” she said, “that we would recommend to others.”

“Let’s buy some books,” she said. “Which one do you want?”

Capitalize:

Names of states and countries.

Oklahoma

North America

Capitalize:

• The first word, the last word, and all other important words in titles.

“An American Childhood”

“The Last Dog”

“The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”