Capitalization Proper Nouns

Capitalization Like most other conventions of language, capital letters help make writing easier to read. They call attention to certain special words and indicate the beginnings of sentences. There are specific rules for capitalizing words. This PowerPoint will show you the rules.

Proper Nouns Rule: Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives.

Common vs. Proper Nouns A common noun is the name of a general group of people, places, or things. Example: queen, country, government A proper noun is the name of a particular person, place, or thing. Example: Elizabeth, France, Congress

Names of People Rule: Capitalize people’s names and the initials or abbreviations that stand for names.

Names of People J. K. Rowling Joanne Kathleen Rowling J. R. R. Tolkien John Ronald Reuel Tolkien Arthur C. Clarke Arthur Charles Clarke

Names of People Rule: Capitalize the titles – written or abbreviated – used with people’s names.

Names of People Gov. R. T. Alberg Mrs. Jennifer Manzano Judge Ellen Sullivan Pfc James A. Morris Dr. L. K. Jenkins Rev. Charles Klein

Names of People Rule: Do not capitalize a title that is used without a name. It is a common noun.

Names of People Barbara Sloan is president of the bank. The judge in this courtroom is Justice Banks. The principal announced a staff meeting. The tribe searched the reservation for its chief.

Names of People Rule: Do capitalize titles of very high importance, even when they are used without a name.

Names of People the President of the United States the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court the Prime Minister of Great Britain. the Pope

Family Relationships Rule: Capitalize such family words as mom, father, aunt, and grandpa when they are used as names.

Family Relationships What was Dad like when he was sixteen, Grandma? Jessica is here, Mom. Uncle Don is coming home from Iraq.

Family Relationships Rule: Do not capitalize such family words as mom, father, aunt, and grandpa if it is preceded by a possessive word or by a, an, or the.

Family Relationships Mom calls our grandma every Sunday. My aunt’s car needs a new battery. The father in the movie was played by Denzel Washington.

If you are unsure whether to capitalize a noun or not, use this trick If you are unsure whether to capitalize a noun or not, use this trick! Substitute the noun for any name. If it makes sense, capitalize it! If it doesn’t make sense, leave it lower case!

Let’s try this one together! For Example: My (dad/Dad) went to the store. Could you substitute the name Steve for the word dad? No! It doesn’t make sense. My Steve went to the store.

Let’s try another example! In the morning, (dad/Dad) is coming home from Iraq. Could you substitute the name Steve for the word dad? YES! It makes sense! In the morning, Steve is coming home from Iraq.

Let’s Practice Tara’s (mom/Mom) and (dad/Dad) threw her a surprise party.

My (mom/Mom) bought my (dad/Dad) a map of Canada for his birthday.

“I have a surprise for you,” (mom/Mom) teased.

I begged my (mom/Mom) to take us all to Disneyland.

My (dad/Dad) always gets lost on the way to (grandma’s/Grandma’s) house.

Your Turn! In your notebook, write a paragraph about a family member. Be sure to include sentences that show both proper and common nouns of the person you chose. Circle your nouns for a quick check!