1. Capitalization Rules © 2012 Brooke Beverly Conway

2. Rule 1: Capitalize the first word of every sentence. the sheep escaped from the trailer. The sheep escaped from the trailer.

3. Rule 2: Always capitalize the pronoun I. i am counting sheep to fall asleep. I am counting sheep to fall asleep. My friend and i are eating lunch. My friend and I are eating lunch.

4. Rule 3: Capitalize people’s names or titles. abraham lincoln was the president. Abraham Lincoln was the president. He had a check up with dr. kit e. cat. He had a check up with Dr. Kit E. Cat.

5. Rule 4: Capitalize the name of cities, states, countries, and continents. The continent we live on is north america. The continent we live on is North America. The girl is holding the flag from france. The girl is holding the flag from France.

6. Rule 4, continued: Capitalize the name of islands, bodies of water, rivers, and mountains. The penguin surfed in the pacific ocean. The penguin surfed in the Pacific Ocean. The king claimed mount royal for his kingdom. The king claimed Mount Royal for his kingdom.

7. Rule 4, continued: Capitalize the name of streets, highways, and parks. The pizza shop was on 190 windy lane. The pizza shop was on 190 Windy Lane. The red car was driving on highway 290. The red car was driving on Highway 290.

8. Rule 5: Capitalize north, south, east, and west when they refer to locations, but not for directions. We went to the apple orchard in north brookfield. We went to the apple orchard in North Brookfield. Columbia is the capital of south carolina. Columbia is the capital of South Carolina.

9. Rule 6: Capitalize the names of businesses, firms and organizations. Do not capitalize the word “of.” The man works at hometown bank. The man works at Hometown Bank. The family went shopping at emerald square galleria. The family went shopping at Emerald Square Galleria.

10. Rule 7: Capitalize the names of institutions and government groups. Do not capitalize the word “of.” Who is the president of the parent teacher organization? Who is the president of the Parent Teacher Organization? Mrs. Conway went to providence college. Mrs. Conway went to Providence College..

11. Rule 8: Capitalize special events, holidays, days of the week, and months of the year. The kids dressed up for halloween. The kids dressed up for Halloween. Mom had an appointment on monday, june 3, 2012. Mom had an appointment on Monday, June 3, 2012.

12. Rule 9: Capitalize the name of races and nationalities. The english queen sat on her throne. The English queen sat on her throne. The italians are known for their pasta. The Italians are known for their pasta.

13. Rule 10: Capitalize the names of religions and the full names of churches. st. anthony’s of balboa is a church in Dudley. St. Anthony’s of Balboa is a church in Dudley.

14. Rule 11: Capitalize the brand names of products. Zachary’s favorite kind of cookies are oreos. Zachary’s favorite kind of cookies are Oreos. Her parents bought a general electric washing machine. Her parents bought a General Electric washing machine.

15. Rule 12: Capitalize languages and school subjects followed by a number or letter. DO NOT capitalize the names of other school subjects. The college student is enrolled in anatomy 101. The college student is enrolled in Anatomy 101. DO NOT CAPITALIZE: We have math class at 12:00 PM.

16. Rule 13: Capitalize words that show family relationship when they are used instead of a person’s name or as part of their name. uncle Peter is a custodian. Uncle Peter is a custodian. DO NOT CAPITALIZE: My uncle lives in Massachusetts.

17. Rule 14: Capitalize all of the main words in the titles of movies, books and stories. Andrew Clements is the author of the book frindle. Andrew Clements is the author of the book Frindle. Taylor Swift sings the song, “we are never ever getting back together again.” Taylor Swift sings the song, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together Again.”