Capitalization Rules

We already know…Capitalize the first word in every sentence

Capitalize the pronoun “I”

Capitalize proper nouns

What else?Proper names of people

The day and month of the year.

The first word of the closing of a letter, for example, Yours truly, Sincerely yours, Your friend

What else?Titles that precede names,

such as Mrs., Mr., Ms., Miss., and Dr.

Titles of stories, such as “Escape”

Capitalize Geographical NamesType of Name Examples

Towns, Cities JamestownSan DiegoSydneyCartagena

Counties, States BolivarTexasBedford CountyNew York

Forests and Parks Chimney Rock ParkTayrona National Park

Avenues, Streets and Highways

Panamerican HighwayRoute 44Madison AvenueSan Martin Street

Geographical Names (cont.)

Type of Name ExamplesMountains Mount Washington, Emory

Peak, Mount Everest

Continents Asia, Oceania (Australia), Africa

Regions the North, the Coastal Region, Patagonia

Other Geographical Names Malay Peninsula, Panama Canal, Seneca Rocks

Countries GermanyAustralia

Islands San Andres IslandRosario IslandEaster Island

Names of Teams, Organizations, Institutions,

and Government BodiesType of Name Examples

Teams Detroit Pistons, Karr Cougars, Cojowa Eagles

Organizations A Team, American Geographical Society,World Trade Organization

Institutions Colegio Jorge Washington, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Antioch College

Government Bodies Department of Agriculture, US Navy, Louisiana State Senate

Historical Events and Periods

Type of Name Examples

Historical Events Battle of Bunker Hill, World War I, Yalta Conference

Historical Periods Great Depression, Middle Ages

Special Events World Series, Olympics

Holidays April Fools Day, Memorial Day, Easter

* The name of a season is not capitalized unless it is part of a proper name: German Winter Carnival

Names of Religions, Nationalities, Dieties, and Holy Days

Type of Name Example

Nationalities and Races Caucasian, Greek, Filipino, African American

Religions and Followers Christianity, Zen Buddhism, Amish, Muslim

Holy Days and Celebrations Ash Wednesday, Easter, Ramadan, Yom Kippur

Sacred Writings Koran, Bible, New Testament

Specific Deities God, Brahma, Holy Spirit, Jehovah

PeopleType of Name Example

Personal Titles and Abbreviations

Mr. Carl Lewis, General Lee, Professor Smith; Todd Owens, Jr.; Mary Muelle, Ph.D.

Head of state, royalty, nobility

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, President Uribe, Emperor Hirohito, Princess Diana

Family Relationships Aunt Carla, Cousin Maggie, Dad, Grandpa JackDo not capitalize titles and family - relationships if they are not

used with a proper name. Dad is capitalized if you can substitute their name for dad in the sentence.

Ex: We saw the queen sitting in the royal box. Liz Fernandez is my cousin.

Names of Buildings and Structures

Sydney Opera House

Hoover Dam

Tower of London

Do not capitalize words such as hotel, theater, church, or school, unless it is part of the name: a new school or Hoover School

Names of Planets, Stars, Constellations, and Other

Heavenly BodiesJupiter

Sirius

The Big Dipper

The Milky Way

More Capitalization?

School subjects, such as US History and Geology 102 are capitalized.

“geology” is not capitalized on its own.

Proper adjectives, such as English and Spanish are always capitalized.