CapitalizationCapitalization
Names and InitialsNames and Initials
Carissa A. JonesCarissa A. Jones Brooke L. ShoreBrooke L. Shore Carson B. KohlerCarson B. Kohler Bryson F. PhillipsBryson F. Phillips
Personal Titles and Personal Titles and AbbreviationsAbbreviations
Mr.Mr. Mrs.Mrs. Ms.Ms. Dr.Dr. Jr.Jr. Sr.Sr. Ph.D.Ph.D. M.D.M.D. D.D.S.D.D.S. D.V.M.D.V.M.
Family RelationshipsFamily Relationships
Capitalize family Capitalize family words only if they are words only if they are used as names or used as names or before names.before names.
My mother is a saint.My mother is a saint. That is Mother; she is That is Mother; she is
a saint.a saint. My favorite cousin is My favorite cousin is
Marsha.Marsha. I am going with I am going with
Cousin Marsha to the Cousin Marsha to the movies.movies.
The Pronoun IThe Pronoun I
She and I are best friends.She and I are best friends.When will I receive my money?When will I receive my money?
Religious TermsReligious Terms
Religions – Christianity, Religions – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism Buddhism
Holy Days – Christmas, Holy Days – Christmas, Rosh HashanahRosh Hashanah
Writings – Bible, Torah, Writings – Bible, Torah, KoranKoran
Deities – God, Yahweh, Deities – God, Yahweh, AllahAllah
Nationalities, Languages, and Nationalities, Languages, and RacesRaces
MexicanMexicanJapaneseJapaneseGermanGermanFrenchFrenchEnglishEnglishJewishJewishMuslimMuslim
Sentences and PoetrySentences and Poetry
Capitalize the first word of every Capitalize the first word of every sentence.sentence.You are a sight for sore eyes.You are a sight for sore eyes.
In traditional poetry, the first word of every In traditional poetry, the first word of every line is capitalized.line is capitalized.Roses are red.Roses are red.Violets are blue.Violets are blue.You look like a monkey.You look like a monkey.And act like one, too!And act like one, too!
QuotationsQuotations
Capitalize the first word of a direct quote if it is a Capitalize the first word of a direct quote if it is a complete sentence.complete sentence. Ms. Berger said, “My favorite class is English.”Ms. Berger said, “My favorite class is English.”
If the quote is divided do not capitalize the If the quote is divided do not capitalize the second portion of the quote (unless it starts a second portion of the quote (unless it starts a new sentence.)new sentence.) ““My favorite class,” said Ms. Berger, “is English.”My favorite class,” said Ms. Berger, “is English.” ““My favorite class is English,” said Ms. Berger, “It is My favorite class is English,” said Ms. Berger, “It is
fabulous!”fabulous!”
QuotationsQuotations
OutlinesOutlines
Capitalize only the Capitalize only the first word of each new first word of each new entry in an outline.entry in an outline.
I. CapitalizationI. Capitalization A. People and culturesA. People and cultures
1. Personal titles1. Personal titles 2. Abbreviations2. Abbreviations 3. Family relationships3. Family relationships 4. The pronoun I4. The pronoun I 5. Religious terms5. Religious terms 6. Nationalities, races6. Nationalities, races
B. First words and titlesB. First words and titles 1. Sentence and poetry1. Sentence and poetry 2. Quotes2. Quotes 3. Outlines3. Outlines 4. Parts of a letter4. Parts of a letter 5. Titles5. Titles
Parts of a LetterParts of a Letter
Capitalize only the Capitalize only the first word in the first word in the greeting and closing greeting and closing of the letter.of the letter.
Dear darling Darby,Dear darling Darby, Yours truly, Yours truly,
TitlesTitles
Capitalize all words in a Capitalize all words in a title except for articles, title except for articles, conjunctions, and conjunctions, and prepositions less than five prepositions less than five letters.letters.
Books – Books – Surviving the Applewhites, Surviving the Applewhites, The Witch of Blackbird PondThe Witch of Blackbird Pond
Plays and musicals – Plays and musicals – The Sound of The Sound of MusicMusic
Geographical NamesGeographical Names
Divisions of the world – Northern Hemisphere, Western HemisphereDivisions of the world – Northern Hemisphere, Western Hemisphere Continents – Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Continents – Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa,
Australia, AntarcticaAustralia, Antarctica Bodies of Water – Pacific Ocean, Red Sea, Lake MichiganBodies of Water – Pacific Ocean, Red Sea, Lake Michigan Islands – Hawaii, Canary Islands, Puerto RicoIslands – Hawaii, Canary Islands, Puerto Rico Mountains – Himalayas, Alps, Rockies, Appalachian, AndesMountains – Himalayas, Alps, Rockies, Appalachian, Andes Other Land Forms – Strait of Magellan, Bering Strait, Cape HornOther Land Forms – Strait of Magellan, Bering Strait, Cape Horn Regions – Central America, Latin America, Great PlainsRegions – Central America, Latin America, Great Plains Nations – Canada, United States, Mexico, China, Japan, Germany, Nations – Canada, United States, Mexico, China, Japan, Germany,
France, EnglandFrance, England States – Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, TennesseeStates – Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee Cities and Towns – Louisville, Elizabethtown, Dale, Santa ClausCities and Towns – Louisville, Elizabethtown, Dale, Santa Claus Roads and Streets – Klondike Lane, Bardstown Road, Taylor Blvd.Roads and Streets – Klondike Lane, Bardstown Road, Taylor Blvd.
Bodies of the UniverseBodies of the Universe
Capitalize the names of the planets and Capitalize the names of the planets and other important objects in the universe.other important objects in the universe.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, (and sometimes Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, (and sometimes Pluto)Pluto)
Haley’s CometHaley’s CometMilky WayMilky WayAurora Borealis Aurora Borealis
Regions and SectionsRegions and Sections
Capitalize north, south, east, and west Capitalize north, south, east, and west only when they are used to refer to a only when they are used to refer to a specific region. They are not capitalized specific region. They are not capitalized when being used as a direction.when being used as a direction.
We went to the West for our family We went to the West for our family vacation this summer.vacation this summer.
I have to travel east to get to work.I have to travel east to get to work.
Buildings, Bridges, and Other Buildings, Bridges, and Other LandmarksLandmarks
Empire State BuildingEmpire State Building Sears TowerSears Tower Golden Gate BridgeGolden Gate Bridge Sherman Minton Sherman Minton
BridgeBridge Kennedy BridgeKennedy Bridge Churchill DownsChurchill Downs Indianapolis Motor Indianapolis Motor
SpeedwaySpeedway
Mount RushmoreMount Rushmore Washington Washington
MonumentMonument Kennedy Space Kennedy Space
CenterCenter
Planes, Trains, and Other Planes, Trains, and Other VehiclesVehicles
Airplanes – Airplanes – Spirit of Saint Spirit of Saint Louis, Enola GayLouis, Enola Gay
Trains - Trains - Orient Express, Orient Express, Cannonball ExpressCannonball Express
Ships – Ships – USS Arizona, USS Arizona, HMS Bounty, TitanicHMS Bounty, Titanic
Cars – Pontiac, Ford, Cars – Pontiac, Ford, HondaHonda
Spacecraft – Discovery, Spacecraft – Discovery, Challenger, Apollo XIIIChallenger, Apollo XIII
Organizations and InstitutionsOrganizations and Institutions
St. Martha SchoolSt. Martha School League of NationsLeague of Nations NATONATO United NationsUnited Nations National Honors National Honors
SocietySociety Governor’s CupGovernor’s Cup Book BeeBook Bee Quick RecallQuick Recall
University of University of LouisvilleLouisville
University of University of KentuckyKentucky
Indiana UniversityIndiana University
Historical Events, Periods, and Historical Events, Periods, and DocumentsDocuments
Revolutionary WarRevolutionary War Civil WarCivil War World War IIWorld War II ReconstructionReconstruction RenaissanceRenaissance Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution Space AgeSpace Age Jurassic PeriodJurassic Period Constitution of the U.S.Constitution of the U.S.
Bill of RightsBill of Rights Magna CartaMagna Carta
Time Abbreviations and Time Abbreviations and Calendar ItemsCalendar Items
A.D. or C.E.A.D. or C.E. B.C. or B.C.E.B.C. or B.C.E.
A.M.A.M. P.M.P.M.
Do not capitalize the Do not capitalize the seasons!!!!seasons!!!!
Months – January, Months – January, February, March, April, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, May, June, July, August, September, October, September, October, November, and November, and DecemberDecember
Days – Monday, Days – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and SundaySaturday, and Sunday
Holidays – Memorial Day, Holidays – Memorial Day, Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, etc.Halloween, etc.
Special Events, Awards, and Special Events, Awards, and Brand NamesBrand Names
Super BowlSuper Bowl World SeriesWorld Series World CupWorld Cup
Country Music AwardsCountry Music Awards People’s Choice AwardsPeople’s Choice Awards OscarsOscars EmmysEmmys
NikeNike Frito LayFrito Lay Coca ColaCoca Cola McDonald’sMcDonald’s
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