Learn, review or practice using rules about correctly using capitalization in writing.

1. Capitalization Rules

2. Capitalize
Names and initials of specific people -
Brad Pitt, George W. Bush, Detra Fipps
Title with a person’s name - Miss
Susie Brown, Dr. William Lee, Mayor
Lamar Bailes
(but not when
speaking of doctors or mayors in general
terms - The doctors met for lunch.)

3. Capitalize
Titles used alone if they refer to current
holder of position - the Pope, the President
Mom, dad uncle, etc. when used in place of
given name
Hey, Mom, get me up at 7. My favorite relative is
Uncle Buck.
(but not when speaking of them generally - My
mom gets me up at 7. It usually follows a
possessive pronoun.)

4. Capitalize
The pronoun “I” - When the bell rang, I
hustled for the classroom.
Deity or religious scripture - God,
Allah, the Bible, the Koran
(but not when
referring to the mythological gods and
goddesses - In Greek mythology, Athena
was the goddess of wisdom.)

5. Capitalize
Brand names, but not the product that
follows - Crest toothpaste, Tombstone pizza
Places: cities, counties, states, provinces,
nations (countries), continents - Paris,
Bradenton, Oconee, Cook County, South
Carolina, California, United States, Spain,
Alberta, British Columbia, Africa, South America

6. Capitalize
Other words made from the places
above - Spanish, Spaniard, American,
Chinese
Bodies of water - Atlantic Ocean, Bay
of Bengal, Chattooga River

7. Capitalize
Major landforms - Rocky Mountains,
Kalahari Desert, Skull Island
Public areas - Central Park,
Yellowstone National Park, Fort Sumter

8. Capitalize
Buildings and other major structures -
the Pentagon, the Empire State Building,
Brooklyn Bridge, the Pyramids
Roads and highways - Blue Ridge
Parkway, Interstate 85

9. Capitalize
Directions referring to specific areas of
the United States or other countries -
We moved to the South when my dad was
transferred.
(but not compass
points - We drove south along the coast.)

10. Capitalize
Proper adjectives made from the
directions referring to the sections of
the U.S. (or other countries) - We
enjoyed Southern hospitality in South
Carolina.
Organizations and groups - the Red
Cross, Nolan Middle School, Sertoma
Club, the Beatles

11. Capitalize
Major events, documents, and periods
of time - the Battle of New Orleans, the
Civil War, Gettysburg Address, the
Renaissance, Oktoberfest
Months, days, and holidays, but not
seasons - November, Saturday,
Memorial Day, summer

12. Capitalize
Languages - English, Latin
Races, cultural groups - Caucasian,
Hispanics, Christians
Names of specific school courses, but
not general subjects - Biology 101,
English I, social studies, science

13. Capitalize
Ships, trains, aircraft, brand name of
automobiles - Mayflower, Voyager 2,
Chevrolet
First word of a sentence - We are
having dinner at home tonight.

14. Capitalize
First word of most lines in poetry - Oh,
say can you see
First word of a direct quotation - Dad
said, “The alien is riding the spacecraft
toward Neptune.”

15. Capitalize
First word of each entry in an outline
 I. Martin Luther King
 A. Early life
 1. Birth
 2. His books
 B. College life

16. Capitalize
Greeting of a letter - Dear Liza,
First word (only) of the closing of a
letter - Always yours,

17. Capitalize
First and last word of titles, plus other
“important” words, but not article
adjectives, conjunctions, and
prepositions usually
Of Mice and Men
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
“Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

18. Capitalize
Names of businesses - Crispers,
Ryan’s, Advanced Auto Parts, Taco Bell