CAPITALIZATION

Rule 1. Capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence.

Examples He said, "Treat her as you would your own daughter."
"Look out!" she screamed. "You almost ran into my child."

Rule 2. Capitalize a proper noun.

Example Golden Gate Bridge

Rule 3. It is often requested that you capitalize a person’s title when it precedes the name. Do not capitalize when the title is acting as a description following the name.

Examples Chairperson Haines OR chairperson Haines
Ms. Haines, the chairperson of the company, will address us at noon.

Rule 4. Capitalize when the person’s title follows the name on the address or signature line.

Example Sincerely,
Ms. Haines, Chairperson

Rule 5. Capitalize the titles of high-ranking government officials when used with or without their names.

Examples The President will address Congress. All Senators are expected to attend.
President Clinton will discuss the economy.

Rule 6. Capitalize points of the compass only when they refer to specific regions.

Examples We have had Presidents from the South.
Go south three blocks and then turn left.
We live in the southeast section of town. Southeast is just an adjective here so should not be capitalized.

Rule 7. Capitalize titles of publications except for a, an, the, but, as, if, and, or, nor, and other little words when used internally. Capitalize short verb forms like Is, Are, and Be.

Examples The Day of the Jackal
What Color Is Your Parachute?

Rule 8. The capitalization rules for state and federal continue to be hotly debated. Capitalizing the words state and federal, when referring to them as agencies, is optional. When state and federal are actual parts of the agencies’ names, capitalize.

Examples The State has evidence to the contrary. OR The state has evidence to the contrary.
That is a Federal offense. OR That is a federal offense.
The State Board of Equalization deals with sales taxes.
We will visit three states during our summer vacation.

Rule 9. You may capitalize words such as department, bureau, and office if you have prepared your text in the following way:

Example The Bureau of Land Management (Bureau) will have some jurisdiction over Fort Ord. The Bureau is finding this role difficult.

Rule 10. Do not capitalize names of seasons.

Example I love autumn colors and spring flowers.

Rule 11. Capitalize the first word of a salutation and the first word of a complimentary close.

Example My dear Mr. Smith:
Very truly yours,

Rule 12. Capitalize words derived from proper nouns.

Examples I must take English and math. English is capitalized because it comes from the proper noun England but math does not come from mathland.

I must take French and Math 1.
Math 1 is a specific course title.

Are you ready for the exercise?