CAPITALIZATION RULES
Capitalize . . .
1. the first word of a sentence
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization1.jpg)
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization1.jpg)
2. proper nouns
- names of relatives (to indicate family relationship) when used with name
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization2.jpg)
- names of relatives when used as proper name
|
EXAMPLE
- titles
A. preceding a name
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization4.jpg)
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization4.jpg)
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize titles that follow names.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization5.jpg)
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize titles used as general words.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization7.jpg)
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization7.jpg)
B. when used in direct address
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization6.jpg)
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization6.jpg)
ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR TITLES
Capitalize very high ranking government officials' titles even when not followed by a name or used in direct address when a specific individual is referred to.
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization8.jpg)
If no specific individual is referred to, do not capitalize titles of even very high ranking government officials.
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization9.jpg)
Capitalize important words in compound titles used with names, but do not capitalize prefixes or suffixes added to the titles.
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization10.jpg)
3. major words in titles of books, articles, and songs
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization11.jpg)
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize short prepositions, conjunctions, or articles unless they are the first word of the title
EXAMPLES ![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization12.jpg)
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization12.jpg)
4. names of God, specific deities, religious figures, and holy books
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization13.jpg)
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize the non-specific use of the word "god."
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization14.jpg)
5. directions that are names, such as North, South, East, and West when used as sections of the country
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization15.jpg)
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize directions when used as compass directions
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization16.jpg)
6. days of the week, months of the year, and holidays
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization17.jpg)
7. seasons, when used in a title
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitization18.jpg)
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize the names of seasons if they are used generally.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization19.jpg)
8. countries, nationalities, and specific languages
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization20.jpg)
9. periods and events
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization21.jpg)
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize century numbers
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization22.jpg)
10. names of national, political, racial, social, civic, and athletic groups
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization23.jpg)
11. trademarks
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization24.jpg)
12. the first word in a sentence that is a direct quote, even if the direct quote comes in the middle of a sentence
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization25.jpg)
13. the first word of a sentence following a colon
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization26.jpg)
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize the first word of a list following a colon if the list is not a complete sentence.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization27.jpg)
14. The first word in each line of most poetry
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization28.jpg)
15. the single-letter word, first person pronoun I.
EXAMPLE
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization29.jpg)
16. salutations and closings in letters - first word only unless proper name is used
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization30.jpg)
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization30.jpg)
17. initials, initialisms, and acronyms
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization31.jpg)
18. names of the planets
EXAMPLES
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/capitalization33.jpg)
NOTE - Experts disagree about whether to capitalize earth, sun, and moon. For consistency, this author suggests capitalizing them when they are used to designate celestial bodies.
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