Rules for Capitalization This is one of the easier parts of grammar. You already know most of them.

1. First word rule Capitalize the first word of each sentence. (Was I right? Haven’t you known this one forever???) EX. Exceptional students always capitalize correctly.

2. Quotation Rule Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation except when it is a split quotation. EX. Helen said, “School starts on Monday morning.” not when— “School starts on Monday morning,” Helen said, “but they hand out the schedules tomorrow.”

3. Titles Capitalize the first, last, and all other important words in titles of books, literary articles, movies, music, and magazines, etc. Prepositions, articles, and conjunctions are not usually capitalized unless they are over four letters. EX. To Kill a Mockingbird (book) “The Exports of North and South America” (article) The Lord of the Rings (movie)

4. Poems Capitalize the first word of each line in a poem. EX. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever; Its liveliness increases…”

5. The “I” rule Always, always, always capitalize the word “I”. You are the most important person in your world. Capitalize yourself. Remember you are in school. You are not texting, im’ing, or anything social. This is business. EX. The teacher took Jimmy and I to the office because we didn’t capitalize I.

6. Name Rule Ok, here is another one you know but forget. Capitalize a person’s name and the initials of a person’s name-first and last. Ex. Thomas James Phillips T.J. Phillips

7. Title Rule Capitalize the titles when used with, or in place of, a person’s name. Ex. I heard Principal Bussard will swat people in the hall if they don’t capitalize correctly. The principal is very kind.

8. Mom and Dad rule Capitalize words showing a family’s relationships when used with or in place of a person’s name. EX. I asked Mom for some money. (You could substitute a name here.) She said that Aunt Sue would take me. These words are not usually capitalized if they come after a possessive pronoun. EX. My grandmother called my dad to ask for some help.

9. Days and Months rule Capitalize the days of the week and the months of the year. You must also spell them correctly!!!!! Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December Do not capitalize the seasons. spring, fall, winter, or summer

10. Holiday Rule Capitalize the names of holidays. EX. New Year’s Day (winter), Memorial Day(summer), Halloween (fall), Valentine’s Day (winter), Fourth of July (summer), Thanksgiving (fall), Easter (spring), Labor Day (summer) Christmas (winter), Mother’s Day (spring).

11. Historical events Capitalize the names of historical events and periods, documents, laws, organizations, and their members. EX. The Great Depression Declaration of Independence Bill of Rights Civil War Middle Ages The Republican Part a Democrat

12. Cities, towns, etc. Capitalize the names of cities, towns, counties, states, countries, and nations. EX. Amarillo Dumas Moore County Texas United States of America Africa Mexico Thailand

13. Directions Capitalize the words north, east south, and west when they refer to sections of the country ( a place), but not when they mean direction. EX. Summers are usually hot in the South. (section of the country) Walk two blocks south and turn right. (direction)

14. Streets, roads, etc. Capitalize the names of streets, roads, highways, routes, and post office boxes. EX. Main Street P.O. Box 45 Route 66 Jones Road Highway 89

15. Water Capitalize the names of lakes, rivers, and oceans. EX. Lake Meredith Canadian River Atlantic Ocean

16. Mountains, deserts, etc. Capitalize the names of mountains, deserts, parks, stars, planets, and constellations. Do not capitalize “sun” and “moon”, and “earth” when it doesn’t refer to the planet. EX. The Rocky Mountains Sahara Desert Venus the Milky Way Yellowstone National Park Earth

17. Building, etc. Capitalize the names of building, bridges, and monuments. EX. Empire State Building Lincoln Memorial Golden Gate Bridge

18. Clubs, businesses, etc. Capitalize the names of clubs, businesses, organizations, schools, and colleges. EX. Leo Club West Texas A&M University Wal-Mart Dumas Jr. High Girl Scouts of America Amarillo College

19. School Subjects Capitalize the names of specific school subjects. Always capitalize the languages! EX. History I (not history) Art 101 (not art) English Spanish

20. Nationalities, languages, etc. Capitalize the names of nationalities, languages, races, religions, and tribes. EX. Roman Catholic Church English Hispanic Karen Chin Muslim Burmese

21. Proper names Capitalize names derived from proper names. EX. Italy---- Italian An Italian restaurant Mexico- Mexican food

22. Religion Capitalize all words referring to God or Jesus. Do not capitalize when used as a general term. Ex. The ruler of the universe is God. I know that He is the Lord. Romans had more than two hundred gods.

23. Bible Capitalize names for the Bible and parts of the Bible. EX. I read the New Testament in my Bible.

Businesses and Products Capitalize the names of businesses and the official names of their products. Do not capitalize a general, descriptive word when it follows the trade name. EX. Radio Shack Pizza Hut Crest toothpaste Tombstone Pizza

Letters Capitalize the words in the heading of a letter. Ex. To Whom It May Concern, or Dear Ms. Kelly, Only capitalize the first word in the closing of a letter. Ex. Sincerely yours, Hugs and kisses,