OST164
Text Editing Applications
Section 3 – Capitalization
Part I: Paragraphs 301-317
Basic Rules ¶ 301
Capitalize the first word of:



Every sentence.
An expression used as a sentence.
How come? So much for that.
A quoted sentence.
Mrs. Eckstein herself said, “We surely have not
heard the complete story.”

An independent question within a sentence.
The principal asked, “Who broke the window?”
Basic Rules (¶ 301 cont’d)
Capitalize the first word of:

Each item displayed in a list or outline.
Here is a powerful problem-solving tool:
 Become an effective leader.
 Improve your relations with others
 Cope with stressful situations on the job.

Each line in a poem. Always follow the style of the
poem, however.

The salutation and complimentary closing of a
letter.
Dear Mrs. Pancetta:
Sincerely yours,
Proper Nouns ¶303

Capitalize every proper noun, that is the official name of
a particular person, place, or thing.

Also capitalize the pronoun, “I.” Jerry and I are dancing.

Prepositions (like “of”, “for”, and “in”) are not capitalized
unless they have four or more letters (like “with” and
“from”). The United States of America

The articles “a” and “an” are not capitalized; the article
“the” is capitalized only under special circumstances.
The article “Love is a Treasure” was great.

Conjunctions (like “and” and “or”) are also not
capitalized. My favorite article was “School and You.”

However, follow the capitalization style used by the
owner of the name.
Proper Nouns ¶304
Capitalize adjectives derived from proper nouns.
American (noun)
Russian (noun)
Hispanics (noun)
Exceptions:
Congress
Senate
Constitution
American (adj.)
Russian (adj.)
Hispanic (adj.)
congressional
senatorial
constitutional
Proper Nouns ¶305
Capitalize imaginative names and nicknames
that designate particular persons, places or
things.
the Founding Fathers Mother Nature
Amber Alert
El Nino and La Nina
a Good Samaritan
the Middle Ages
the First Lady
a Big Mac
Ground Zero
the Queen Bee
the Big Kahuna
Big Brother
Mr. Nice Guy
Smokey Bear
Generation X
Common Nouns ¶307-308-309a
Do
not capitalize nouns used as general terms of
classification.
Capitalize the common noun only when it is used as part of
a proper noun.
the act
The Clayton Antitrust Act
a hotel
Hotel California
the doctor
Doctor Ray
the pastor
Pastor Jonnson
the professor
Professor Anderson
the river
the Neuse River
a boulevard
Sunset Boulevard
the Boston airport
the street
the Logan Airport (serving Boston)
the Ninth Street
Special Rules ¶311 Personal Names

Treat a person’s name exactly as the person does.
Respect individual preferences.

In names containing the prefix O’ – always capitalize the
O and the letter following the apostrophe. O’Brian

Watch for differences in capitalization and spacing in
names containing prefixes. d’, da, de, della, l’, la, van

When a surname with an uncapitalized prefix stands
alone, capitalized the prefix to prevent a misreading.
Paul de Luca
Mr. de Luca
Charles de Gaulle served…
Is De Luca leaving?
De Gaulle served…
Special Rules ¶312-313
Titles With Personal Names

Capitalize all official titles of honor and respect when
they precede personal names.
Yesderday, President Julia McLeod didn’t…
Did Chairperson Dean say…

Do not capitalize such titles when the personal name
that follows is in apposition and is set off by commas.
Yesterday, the president, Julia McLeod, didn’t…
Did the chairperson, Bob Knight, say…

Do not capitalize occupational titles preceding a name;
for example, author, surgeon, publisher.
Special Rules ¶313
Titles With Personal Names
Retain the capitalization in the titles of high-ranking national,
state, and international officials when they follow or replace a
specific personal.
National - The President, the Vice President, Secretary of State,
Attorney General, the Speaker (of the House)
State - Governor, Lieutenant Governor
Foreign Dignitaries - Queen of England, the King, the Prime
Minister
International - the Pope, Secretary-General of the United States
Special Rules ¶313
Titles With Personal Names
Always capitalize titles used in/on:

A personal name in an inside address.

A complimentary closing.

An envelope.

A business card.
Special Rules ¶313
Titles With Personal Names
Titles of local governmental officials and those of lesser
federal and state officials are not usually capitalized when
they follow or replace a personal name.
The mayor promised only last fall to hold the city sales
tax at its present level.
Francis Fahey, mayor of Coventry, Rhode Island,
appeared before a House committee today.
I saw Mayor Jones yesterday here on campus.
However, these titles are sometimes capitalized in writing
intended for a limited readership.
Special Rules ¶317
Do not capitalize late, former, ex-, -elect, acting, or
–designate when used in titles.
The late President Truman
former President Carter
Mayor-elect Ellen Kourmadas
acting Superintendent Alex Beaudette
Chairman-designate Fenton Fogg