Rule 1: Capitalize the first word in declarative , interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Examples: Declarative: Several members if the royal family were impatiently waiting for the ceremony to begin. Interrogative: Isn’t anyone going to start? Imperative: Bo deeply when introduced to the Queen. Exclamatory: What an unusual day this is?
Rule 2: Always capitalize the word I. Examples: I watched the clock while I waited for you. I never understood why he was so late.
Rule 3: Capitalize all proper nouns Rule 3: Capitalize all proper nouns. - The name of a specific person is perhaps the most common kind of proper noun. Examples: Martin Luther King Statue of Liberty Awtrey Middle School
Rule 4: Capitalize each part of a persons full name, including initials. Examples: Margaret Rose Windsor L.T. Cornwall
Rule 5: Capitalize geographical names. Examples: Streets- Wildflower Drive Boxwood Drive Towns and Cities- Acworth Kennesaw Mountains- Mount Everest Cascade Range
Rule 6: Capitalize the names of specific events and periods of time. Historical Periods Age of Enlightenment Middle Ages Days/Months Wednesday December Holidays/religious days Christmas Labor Day Special events Boston Marathon
Rule 7: Capitalize the names of various organizations, government bodies, political parties, nationalities, as well as the languages spoken by different groups. Beta Club Supreme Court Republicans German, Spanish, English
Rule 8: Capitalize references to religions, deities, and religious scriptures Religions – Christianity, Islam, Deities – God, Allah, Jehovah Scriptures – Holy Bible, Torah, Koran
Rule 9: Capitalize names of specific places and items Monuments – Twin Towers, Effiel Tower Memorials- Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall Celestial Bodies – Mars, Jupiter, Aries, Earth Awards – Newberry Award, People’s Choice
Rule 10: Capitalize names of awards Awards – Newberry Award, People’s Choice, Academy Awards
Rule 11: Capitalize most proper adjectives A proper noun used to describe a common noun Spanish rice American literature Georgia history African American books
Rule 12: Capitalize brand names Capitalize brand names when used as adjectives. When the item is NOT part of the brand, do NOT capitalize the item. Kellog’s frosted flakes Campbell’s soup Apple Bottom jeans Timberland boots Coach purse
Rule 13: Capitalize titles when with a person’s name Do NOT capitalize title without a name Dr. Martin; the doctor walked to me Captain Douglas; our captain President Clinton; the president is missing Senator Obama; our senator is leaving town Sister O’dell; the sister in the church was singing off key
Rule 14: Capitalize family titles When a person’s name is with their family title, capitalize it Aunt Betty Uncle George Papa Joe Grandma Annette Grandma Karen
Rule 15: Capitalize titles of works Capitalize the first word and all other important words in titles of books, periodicals, poems, stories, plays. Do NOT capitalize conjunctions, articles, and prepositions that are shorter than (5) letters (and, in, an, the, on, of, with) Gone with the Wind The Cat in the Hat
Rule 16: Capitalize courses Capitalize the title of courses when the course is a language OR followed by a number Language Arts 7A Honors English 10A Math 7/8 Do NOT capitalize the course if you are only referring to a class - language arts class, math class, social studies