USAGE/MECHANICS
1 CAPITALIZATION
Take the trouble to capitalize words only according tostandard principles. Do not capitalize words unnecessarily.The rules of capitalization are generally clear and lesssubject to exceptions than most rules of language.Nevertheless, if you encounter problems, a good recentdictionary should help you, especially where the capitalization of a word depends upon its use: "the bible of show business" but "the Holy Bible," "my big brother"but "your Big Brother in Washington."
1A Proper names
Note that common nouns like
boulevard, heights, university, park,
and
store
are capitalized when they accompany proper nouns.1. Names of persons or specific entities or trademarks
Sarah Kaltgrad, J. P. Morgan, Mohammed,Nissan Maxima, William the Conqueror, theConstitution, English 101, Peabody Award, theStatue of Liberty, Cheerios
2. Geographical names
Little Neck, New York, the Southwest, Colorado,Niagara Falls, Quebec, Rocky Mountains,Yellowstone Park, MacArthur Park, Zuma Beach,Coney Island, Germany, Europe, Asia, MissouriRiver, Bermuda Triangle, Rodeo Drive, Cape Fear
3. Specific nations, cultures, ethnic groups, and lan
guages
Mexican, Thai, Cherokee, English, Afro-American,Pacific Islanders, Tahttians, Chinese, Koreans,Bosnians, IraniansFarsi, English, Russian, Armenian, Spanish,Chinese, Swedish
4. Schools, institutions, government divisions and agencies, companies
United Way, Library of Congress, UCLA,Securities and Exchange Commission, HoustonOilers, General Mills, Kent School, Red Cross,Rotary Club, Medicare, Coast Guard
5. Days, months, commemorative days, or holidays
Monday, March, Veterans' Day, Father's Day,Thanksgiving
6. Significant events or periods, historical documents
the Fourteenth Amendment, Middle Ages,Operation Desert Storm, the Bill of Rights, theGreat Depression, Prohibition, the Constitution
7. Religious references to documents, holidays, personages or deities
the Bible, Koran, Upanishads, Genesis,Revelations, Easter, Allah, Messiah, Christian,Hindu, Moslem, Judaic, Mormon, Christmas, YomKippur
8. Words used in a special sense
We all know that Time waits for no man.Only the all-consuming, obsessive drive for Moneyremains as a motivation.
1B Abbreviations and acronyms
Capitalize abbreviations or shortened forms of capitalized words
USC, NBC, IBM, AT&T, CA, NYC, NFL, MADD,UNESCO
1C Capitalize titles indicating rank orrelationship
Capitalize titles and words denoting family relationshipsthat precede the name but not those that follow it,
Mama McCaslin; Cousin Jenny; President WilliamClinton; George Bush, the president of the UnitedStates; Governor Pete Wilson; General Taylor-George West, the captain; Phillip Stein, ourgovernor; Aunt Adrienne; Adrienne, my aunt
When words indicating family relationships are substituted for proper names, they are usually capitalized:
Well, Father, you certainly did well on the coursetod ay I
ID Capitalize the first word and all otherimportant words in titles
Articles
(the, a, an),
coordinating conjunctions
(and, but, for, or, yet),
prepositions
(in, to, for, around, up, under),
and the
to
in infinitives are not normally capitalized,unless they are the first word in the title.
1E Always capitalize the first word in asentence and the first word in directlyquoted speech
Never have so many viewers tuned in to oneprogram.Are you sure? Well, then, let's cancel thewedding. I'm serious.Father Mike often says, "Blessed are those whoare funny."Without hesitation, Elizabeth shouted, "Down withthe Bruins!"
Keep in mind this handy rule: common (uncapitalized)nouns are often preceded by articles
(a, an, the)
or bylimiting words like
each, many, several, every, some.
IF Capitalization review chart
Capitals
No Capitals
Lieutenant Cameron Winston the lieutenant in charge, every
lieutenant
the Korean War the gas wars of the 70'sGerman, Swedish, Tagolog Foreign languagesEast-West University your local university
the
U.S. Army a rough and ready army1
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