1. Capitalization Rules

2. Capitalization Rules Rule Example
#1: Do capitalize the first letter of
George Washington; Canada;
a proper noun, a name for a
Dr. Pepper; the Rocky Mountains;
person, place, thing, or event.
the Lincoln Tunnel; World War II

3. Capitalization Rules Rule Example #2: Do capitalize all significant
A Tale of Two Cities
words in titles of books,
The Scarlett Letter
magazines, stories, movies, and
The New York Times
other media.
Revenge of the Teenage Vixens from
Always capitalize
Outer Space
the first and last words.
The Star-Spangled Banner
Do NOT capitalize articles (a, an,
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Sewing
the), prepositions (as, at, of on,
Of Mice and Men
for, in), or conjunctions (and,
but, or) that contain four
letters or fewer

4. Capitalization Rules Rule Example
#3: Do capitalize the first letter of a sentence, even in a quotation.
My mother said, “Your father will be home
shortly.”
#Rule 4: Do capitalize names of
Aunt Karen gives great presents.
relatives that indicate family
Please ask Grandmother to answer
relationship when used with the
her telephone.
person’s name or alone as the
Dad gets home early on Fridays, but
name you call that person.
Mom usually works late.

5. Capitalization Rules Rule Example I wrote a letter to Governor Jindal.
# 5: Do capitalize a title that
I wrote a letter to Governor Jindal.
precedes a name, but do not
I also wrote to Bobby Brown, a senator
capitalize a title that follows a
from Louisiana.
name or is used as a general
Thank you for your response,
word.
Governor.
Do capitalize titles when
Do I need to come in today, Doctor?
addressing someone directly.
# 6: Do capitalize countries,
England, English, American
nationalities, and languages.
Spain, Spanish