Capitalization

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.

Senator, Secretary of Senator, Secretary of State, Surgeon General, State, Surgeon General, Justice, Mayor, etc.Justice, Mayor, etc.

President, Czar, Prime President, Czar, Prime Minister, King, Queen, etc.Minister, King, Queen, etc.

Capt., Lt., P.F.C., etc.Capt., Lt., P.F.C., etc. Rev., Fr., Sr., Br., etc.Rev., Fr., Sr., Br., etc. Only capitalize these titles if they Only capitalize these titles if they

come directly in front of a specific come directly in front of a specific name. name.

The senator from New York is The senator from New York is Clinton. Clinton.

New York’s Senator Clinton was New York’s Senator Clinton was running for president.running for president.

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!”

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.

If an article, conjunction, If an article, conjunction, or preposition is the first or preposition is the first word in the title, it may be word in the title, it may be capitalized.capitalized.

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

Short Stories – “Ghost of the Lagoon”Short Stories – “Ghost of the Lagoon” Poems – “Where the Sidewalk Ends”Poems – “Where the Sidewalk Ends” Magazines and Newspapers – Magazines and Newspapers – Time, Time,

The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal Musical Compositions – “U and UR Musical Compositions – “U and UR

Hand”, “Paralyzer”, “See You Again”Hand”, “Paralyzer”, “See You Again” Movies – Movies – Indiana Jones and the Indiana Jones and the

Temple of DoomTemple of Doom T.V. Shows – T.V. Shows – Third Rock from the SunThird Rock from the Sun Works of Art – Works of Art – Mona Lisa, The Last Mona Lisa, The Last

SupperSupper Games – Guitar HeroGames – Guitar Hero

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