Here is a little review of the rules of capitalization in English.\u00a0 The following is a list of when you should use capitalization.<\/p>\n
Always capitalize:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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The first word of a sentence<\/strong>,\u00a0 Example: W<\/strong>hen is it time to go?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The pronoun “I”<\/strong>, Example: James and I<\/strong> will be visiting Germany next month.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Proper nouns<\/strong> (the names of specific people, places, organizations, and sometimes things), Examples: J<\/strong>ames, M<\/strong>r. S<\/strong>mith, M<\/strong>issouri, WWF<\/strong>, the A<\/strong>tlantic O<\/strong>cean,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Family relationships<\/strong> (but only when used as proper names), Example: I sent a thank you note to my A<\/strong>unt E<\/strong>rin for the present she sent me.\u00a0 She is my favorite aunt.\u00a0 She is my mom’s sister.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The names of God, specific deities, religious figures, and holy books<\/strong>, Examples: G<\/strong>od, the V<\/strong>irgin M<\/strong>ary, the K<\/strong>oran, S<\/strong>hiva, Z<\/strong>eus\u00a0 (Exception – do not capitalize the nonspecific use of the word “god.”) Example: The word “polytheistic” means the worship of more than one god.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Titles preceding names, but not titles that follow names<\/strong>, Examples: My cousin works as the assistant to M<\/strong>ayor B<\/strong>loomberg.\u00a0 Because of this connection I was able to interview Mr. Bloomberg, mayor of New York.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Directions that are names North, South, East, and West<\/strong> (when used as sections of the country, but not when used as compass directions), Example: My family has recently moved to the S<\/strong>outhwest.\u00a0 Our house is two miles north of the highway.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The days of the week, the months of the year, and holidays, but not the seasons<\/strong>, Examples: F<\/strong>riday, A<\/strong>pril, H<\/strong>alloween, winter (Exception – seasons are capitalized when used in a title.) Example: The F<\/strong>all 2012 semester begins in September.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The names of countries, nationalities, and specific languages<\/strong>, Examples: C<\/strong>osta R<\/strong>ica, Z<\/strong>ambian, T<\/strong>agalog<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The first word of a direct quote<\/strong> in a sentence<\/strong>, Example: My grandfather always said, “D<\/strong>on’t count your chickens before they are hatched.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The major words in the titles of books, articles, or songs<\/strong> (don’t capitalize short prepositions or the articles “the,” “a,” or “an,” if they are not the first word of the title), Example: T<\/strong>he C<\/strong>atcher in the R<\/strong>ye.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Members of national, political, racial, social, civic, and athletic groups<\/strong>, Examples: C<\/strong>hinese, D<\/strong>emocrats, A<\/strong>frican-A<\/strong>mericans, Y<\/strong>oung W<\/strong>omen’s C<\/strong>hristian A<\/strong>ssociation, R<\/strong>otary C<\/strong>lub, L<\/strong>akers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Periods and events in history but not century numbers<\/strong>, Examples: the G<\/strong>reat D<\/strong>epression, V<\/strong>ictorian E<\/strong>ngland, sixteenth century<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n