Using Capitalization Correctly
v Capitalize the first word in every sentence.
Ø We are studying the American Revolution.
v Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation that is a complete sentence. Direct quotations are a speaker’s exact words.
Ø The teacher said, “What do you know about the American Revolution?”
v When the speaker’s words are interrupted by clarifying words, you do not begin the second part with a capital letter.
Ø “I often remember,” said the teacher, “the men and women who were important in helping us become a free nation.”
v If the second part of the sentence is a new sentence, place a period after the clarifying words and begin the second part of the quotation with a capital letter.
Ø “I have traveled to many of the sites of the American Revolution,” said the teacher. “My favorite is the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.”
v Do not capitalize an indirect quotation.
Ø The teacher said the Liberty Bell was her favorite American Revolution site to visit.
v Always capitalize the pronoun I.
Ø When I was younger, I always enjoyed learning about Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine.
v Capitalize the first word in the salutation and closing of a letter as well as the name and title of the person addressed.
Ø Dear Mrs. Ross,
Ø Yours truly,
v Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives. A proper noun names a specific person, place, thing, or idea. A proper adjective is an adjective formed from a proper noun.
Ø This includes the names of people and initials that stand for their names;
§ Minutemen
§ Paul Reline Revere
Ø the names of planets, constellations, stars, and other celestial objects;
§ the Big Dipper
Ø the names of teams, institutions, organizations, government bodies and documents;
§ Congress
§ Boston Red Sox
§ Stamp Act 1765
Ø the names of bodies of water and other geographical features and locations;
§ the Catskill Mountains
Ø the names of historical events, special events and holidays, months, and days; the names of religions, sacred texts, and gods/goddesses;
§ Christianity
§ the Declaration of Independence
§ Tuesday
§ April
§ Independence Day
§ American Revolution
Ø the names of roads, streets, and highways;
§ Revolutionary Road
Ø the names of buildings and other structures;
§ King George Inn
Ø the names of automobiles, trains, ships, aircraft, and spacecraft;
§ Gaspée
Ø the names of memorials, monuments, and awards/recognition;
§ Old North Church
§ Congressional Gold Medal
§ Daughters of the American Revolution
Ø the names of businesses and the grand name of business products.
§ Revere Copper and Brass, Inc.
§ Revereware
Ø the names of ethnic groups, nationalities, and languages;
§ British
§ Colonists
§ European
§ German
§ African
Ø North, south, east, and west are capitalized when used as the name of a geographical region.
§ the South
v Capitalize a title or an abbreviation of a title when it comes before a person’s name or when it is used in a direct address. This includes family names. When the title or abbreviation is used as a substitute for a person’s name, do not capitalize it.
Ø George Washington was a famous general.
Ø President George Washington
Ø George Washington was the first president.
Ø General, what was it like on the Delaware?
Ø Dr. Joseph Warren was a famous doctor in the American Revolution.
Ø Uncle Thomas was very outspoken.
Ø My uncle, Samuel, was considered a rebel.
Ø Grandmother told me the story of Cripus Attucks.
v Capitalize the names and abbreviations of academic degrees that come after a person’s name as well as surnames, such as Jr. and Sr.
Ø John Jefferson, Jr.
Ø Warren Green, M. D.
v Capitalize the first word, the last word, and all important words in the title of a book, play, short story, drama, poem, film, novella, essay, article, song, television series, magazine, newspaper, and a chapter of a book or novella.
Ø Common Sense
Ø “Paul Revere’s Ride”
Ø “Yankee Doodle Dandy”
v Capitalize the course name of academic subjects that are followed by numerals and those that are languages.
Ø American History 101
Ø Mathematics 8
Ø mathematics 8
Ø Language Arts 7
Ø language arts
Ø French
Ø home economics
