Rule 1: Capitalize the first word in declarative , interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Examples: Declarative: Several members if the royal family were impatiently waiting for the ceremony to begin. Interrogative: Isn’t anyone going to start? Imperative: Bo deeply when introduced to the Queen. Exclamatory: What an unusual day this is? Rule 2: Always capitalize the word I. Examples: • I watched the clock while I waited for you. • I never understood why he was so late. Rule 3: Capitalize all proper nouns. - The name of a specific person is perhaps the most common kind of proper noun. Examples: • Martin Luther King • Statue of Liberty • Awtrey Middle School Rule 4: Capitalize each part of a persons full name, including initials. Examples: • Margaret Rose Windsor • L.T. Cornwall Rule 5: Capitalize geographical names. Examples: • StreetsWildflower Drive Boxwood Drive • Towns and CitiesAcworth Kennesaw • MountainsMount Everest Cascade Range Rule 6: Capitalize the names of specific events and periods of time. Historical Periods Age of Enlightenment Middle Ages Days/Months Wednesday December Holidays/religious days Christmas Labor Day Special events Boston Marathon Rule 7: Capitalize the names of various organizations, government bodies, political parties, nationalities, as well as the languages spoken by different groups. • • • • Beta Club Supreme Court Republicans German, Spanish, English Rule 8: Capitalize references to religions, deities, and religious scriptures • Religions – Christianity, Islam, • Deities – God, Allah, Jehovah • Scriptures – Holy Bible, Torah, Koran Rule 9: Capitalize names of specific places and items • • • • Monuments – Twin Towers, Effiel Tower Memorials- Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall Celestial Bodies – Mars, Jupiter, Aries, Earth Awards – Newberry Award, People’s Choice Rule 10: Capitalize names of awards • Awards – Newberry Award, People’s Choice, Academy Awards Rule 11: Capitalize most proper adjectives • A proper noun used to describe a common noun • Spanish rice • American literature • Georgia history • African American books Rule 12: Capitalize brand names • Capitalize brand names when used as adjectives. When the item is NOT part of the brand, do NOT capitalize the item. • Kellog’s frosted flakes • Campbell’s soup • Apple Bottom jeans • Timberland boots • Coach purse Rule 13: Capitalize titles when with a person’s name • • • • • • Do NOT capitalize title without a name Dr. Martin; the doctor walked to me Captain Douglas; our captain President Clinton; the president is missing Senator Obama; our senator is leaving town Sister O’dell; the sister in the church was singing off key Rule 14: Capitalize family titles • When a person’s name is with their family title, capitalize it • Aunt Betty • Uncle George • Papa Joe • Grandma Annette • Grandma Karen Rule 15: Capitalize titles of works • Capitalize the first word and all other important words in titles of books, periodicals, poems, stories, plays. • Do NOT capitalize conjunctions, articles, and prepositions that are shorter than (5) letters (and, in, an, the, on, of, with) • Gone with the Wind • The Cat in the Hat Rule 16: Capitalize courses • Capitalize the title of courses when the course is a language OR followed by a number • Language Arts 7A • Honors English 10A • Math 7/8 • Do NOT capitalize the course if you are only referring to a class - language arts class, math class, social studies