Capitalization Rules

Capitalize

Names and initials of specific people - Brad Pitt, George W. Bush, Detra Fipps

Title with a person’s name - Miss Susie Brown, Dr. William Lee, Mayor Lamar Bailes (but not when speaking of doctors or mayors in general terms - The doctors met for lunch.)

Capitalize

Titles used alone if they refer to current holder of position - the Pope, the President

Mom, dad uncle, etc. when used in place of given name

Hey, Mom, get me up at 7. My favorite relative is Uncle Buck.

(but not when speaking of them generally - My mom gets me up at 7. It usually follows a possessive pronoun.)

Capitalize

The pronoun “I” - When the bell rang, I hustled for the classroom.

Deity or religious scripture - God, Allah, the Bible, the Koran (but not when referring to the mythological gods and goddesses - In Greek mythology, Athena was the goddess of wisdom.)

Capitalize

Brand names, but not the product that follows - Crest toothpaste, Tombstone pizza

Places: cities, counties, states, provinces, nations (countries), continents - Paris, Bradenton, Oconee, Cook County, South Carolina, California, United States, Spain, Alberta, British Columbia, Africa, South America

Capitalize

Other words made from the places above - Spanish, Spaniard, American, Chinese

Bodies of water - Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Bengal, Chattooga River

Capitalize

Major landforms - Rocky Mountains, Kalahari Desert, Skull Island

Public areas - Central Park, Yellowstone National Park, Fort Sumter

Capitalize

Buildings and other major structures - the Pentagon, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, the Pyramids

Roads and highways - Blue Ridge Parkway, Interstate 85

Capitalize

Directions referring to specific areas of the United States or other countries - We moved to the South when my dad was transferred. (but not compass points - We drove south along the coast.)

Capitalize

Proper adjectives made from the directions referring to the sections of the U.S. (or other countries) - We enjoyed Southern hospitality in South Carolina.

Organizations and groups - the Red Cross, Nolan Middle School, Sertoma Club, the Beatles

Capitalize

Major events, documents, and periods of time - the Battle of New Orleans, the Civil War, Gettysburg Address, the Renaissance, Oktoberfest

Months, days, and holidays, but not seasons - November, Saturday, Memorial Day, summer

Capitalize

Languages - English, Latin

Races, cultural groups - Caucasian, Hispanics, Christians

Names of specific school courses, but not general subjects - Biology 101, English I, social studies, science

Capitalize

Ships, trains, aircraft, brand name of automobiles - Mayflower, Voyager 2, Chevrolet

First word of a sentence - We are having dinner at home tonight.

Capitalize

First word of most lines in poetry - Oh, say can you see

First word of a direct quotation - Dad said, “The alien is riding the spacecraft toward Neptune.”

Capitalize

First word of each entry in an outline I. Martin Luther King A. Early life 1. Birth 2. His books B. College life

Capitalize

Greeting of a letter - Dear Liza,

First word (only) of the closing of a letter - Always yours,

Capitalize

First and last word of titles, plus other “important” words, but not article adjectives, conjunctions, and prepositions usually

Of Mice and Men

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

“Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Capitalize

Names of businesses - Crispers, Ryan’s, Advanced Auto Parts, Taco Bell