CAPITALIZATION

by Gary Forlini
 BRIEF OVERVIEW
✘ The engravings of the ancient civilizations
were originally done using all capital letters
but later on evolved – capital letters were
used only in certain situations.
✘ Over the years, capitalization is still used.
✘ “Capitals signal important words.” – Forlini

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 Objectives
✘ Identify and apply the rules that govern the use of
capitalization.
✘ Maintain clarity in the work and to communicate
efficiently and effectively in accordance to the
capitalization rules.
✘ Determine the widely accepted rules of capitalization
to know when and where to capitalize words correctly.

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 Rules for
Capitalization
1. Capitals for First Words
2. Capitals for Proper Nouns
3. Capitals for Proper Adjectives
4. Capitals for Titles
5. Capitals in Letters
Rule 1: Capitals for first words

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1.1. In sentences

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❑ Capitalize the first word in
declarative, interrogative, imperative,
and exclamatory sentences.

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DECLARATIVE: Raoul sent the letter yesterday.

INTERROGATIVE: Did you mail the monthly bills?

IMPERATIVE: Get a stamp out of the drawer.

EXCLAMATORY: This letter says I’ve won the contest!

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1.2. In Interjections and
Incomplete questions

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✘ Exclamatory interjections:
Examples: Fantastic! Ouch! Darn!

✘ Incomplete questions:
Examples: When? For Maria? How much?

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1.3. In quotations

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❑Capitalizethe first word in a quotation if
the quotation is a complete sentence.
Example:
“Man is not made for defeat.”
– Ernest Hemingway
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Rule 2: Capitals for proper nouns
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2.1. Names of People

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Example 1 : Example 2: Example 3:

De Mello or de Mello
Chester Worth McGregor
La Coe or Lacoe
Maria A. Lopez O’Callahan
von Hofen or Von
S. D. Schneider St. John
Hofen

*surnames that
consist of several
parts

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 Tips: Ask for the
spelling of the name
Place your screenshot here

for accuracy.

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2.2. Proper Names of Animals

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Examples:

Silver, the horse; Coby, the dog

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2.3. Geographical and Place
Names

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Streets Curato Street, Mortola Street
Towns and Cities Magallanes, Surigao, Miami
Counties Cheyenne County
States and Agusan del Norte, Idaho, Utah
Provinces
Nations Philippines, Singapore, Scotland
Continents Asia, Australia, Africa
Mountains Mount Hilong-Hilong, Mount Fuji
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Valleys and Deserts Imperial Valley, Sahara Desert
Islands Panglao Virgin Island
Sections of a Country the Northwest
Scenic Spots the Grand Canyon, Impasug-ong
Communal Ranch
Rivers and Falls Enchanted River, Sumag-a Falls
Lakes and Bays Lake Mainit, Manila Bay

Oceans and Seas Pacific Ocean, West Philippine Sea

Celestial Bodies Venus,
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the Andromeda Galaxy
- Two celestial bodies that are not capitalized:
the moon and the sun.

- If you use the word earth as one of the planets, you

should capitalize it. However, if the word is
preceded by the article the, do not capitalize it.

Example:

The astronauts left Earth and landed on the moon.

The astronauts left the earth far behind.

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Compass points :

if used to show direction = not capitalized

if used for specific location = capitalized

Example:

We headed northwest.
My cousin lives in the Southwest.
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 2.4. Names of Monuments,
Buildings, and Meeting Rooms

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Monuments and Memorials -the Rizal Monument
-the Lincoln Memorial

Buildings -the Techno building

-the Superdome
-the Actor’s Conservatory
Theater

School and Meeting Rooms -Acad 304

-Laboratory C
-the Oval Office

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✔ Do not capitalize the words theater, hotel, and
university unless they are part of a proper name.

Example:

The theater is one of the oldest buildings in town.

The Fallon House Theater is in an old ghost town.

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2.5. Names of Specific Events
and Periods of Time

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Historical Periods the Stone Age

Historical Events the Philippine Revolution

Documents and Laws the Philippine Declaration of

Independence, the Bill of Rights

Days and Months Monday, April

Holidays and Religious Days Labor Day, Good Friday

Special Events the PBA Governor’s Cup

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• Do not capitalize the seasons.

Example:

We felt a winter chill in the air.

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 2.6. Names of Organizations,
Government Bodies, Political Parties,
Races, Nationalities, and Languages

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Clubs -Rotary Club
Organizations -League of Women Voters
Institutions -University of Miami
Businesses -Ford Motor Company
Government Bodies -Executive, Legislative, Judicial
Political Parties -the Republicans
Races -Caucasian, Asian
Nationalities -Russian, Filipino, French
Languages -English,
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Spanish, Yiddish
2.7. Names of Religion, Deities, and
Religious Sculpture

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Examples:

Christianity: God, the Father, the Son

Judaism: the Prophets

Eastern Religions: Buddhism (Buddha, the Tripitaka)

Islam (Allah, the Koran)
Hinduism (Brahma, the Vedas)
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• Pronoun references made to deities are also capitalized.

God gave His only begotten son to bring salvation.

• Religious references are not capitalized ONLY when

writing about mythological gods and goddess.

In Norse mythology, the god of thunder is Thor.

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2.8. Names of Awards and Brands

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Examples for Awards:

the Kevin E. Morris Scholarship

the Nobel Peace Prize
the Oscar
the Academy Awards

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This rule applies to both brand names used as
adjectives and to full trademark names.

Examples: a Honda import

the Honda Accord

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2.9. Names of Specific Types of Air,
Sea, Space, and Land Craft

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When capitalizing the names of any air, sea, space,
and land craft– do not capitalize the word “the”
preceding a name unless it is part of the official
name.

AIR Boeing 747

SEA Titanic

SPACE Sputnik 1

LAND the Ford Mustang GTD

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Rule 3: Capitals for proper
Adjective

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3.1. Most Proper Adjectives

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 Examples:
✘ Swiss government, American
people, Gothic art

✘ french fries, teddy bear

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3.2. Brand Name used as Adjectives

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Examples:

Rolex watches
Samsonite luggage

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✔ Do not capitalize prefixes attached to proper
adjectives unless the prefix refers to a nationality.

Examples:
pre-Mayan architecture
pro-American sentiment
Indo-European
Afro-American

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✔ In a hyphenated adjective, capitalize only the
proper adjective.

Example:
Spanish-speaking American

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Rule 4: Capitals for Titles

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4.1. Titles of People and
Titles of Works

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✔ Capitalize a person’s title when it is used
with the person’s name or when it is used
in direct address.

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 With Proper In Direct In General
Names Address Preferences
Sir Henry Bellamy May I help you The duke attended
into the car, Sir? the coronation.

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 Social, Business, Religious, and Military Titles
With Proper Names In Direct Address In General
Preferences
Business
Dr. Pauline Greer I feel fine, Doctor. The doctor set the
broken leg.
Religious
Reverend James Are you going to be The father plays the
there, Father? trombone.
Military
Major D. Moyer I’m glad you could be Tell the major what
here, Major. happened.

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 4.2. Titles of Government Officials
when they are followed by a Proper
Name or when used in Direct Address

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Examples:

Preceding a proper name: Mayor Martin Hanley will speak.

In direct address: Will you speak tonight, Mayor?
In a general reference: The mayor works on the budget.

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 4.3. Titles of Certain High-ranking
Government Officials even when the titles
are not followed by a Proper Name or
used in Direct Address

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Examples:

The President cut short his stay at Camp David.

He will meet the Queen of England today.
The Senator spoke in favor of the legislation.

A senator is elected for a six-year term.

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4.4. All Important Words in
Compound Titles

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Examples:
Lieutenant Governor
Assistant Secretary of the Interior
Commander in Chief
ex-Senator Jorgenson
Governor-elect Richter
*Do not capitalize prefixes and
suffixes added to titles.

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 4.5. Titles showing Family
Relationships when they refer to a
Specific Person

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Examples:
• Did Uncle John bring the package?
• This package is for Grandmother.
Do not capitalize if they are preceded by a possessive
noun or pronoun.

• I wonder if my dad saw the package arrive.

• Anne’s uncle brought the package.
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4.6. Abbreviations of Titles before
and after Names

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Examples:
Mr. Kevin Peterson, Jr.
Mrs. Ann Sikorski

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4.7. The First Word and all other
key words in the Titles of Books,
Periodicals, Poems, Stories, Plays,
Paintings, and other Works of Art

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 Examples
✘ Book: “Heart of Darkness”
✘ Periodical: “Better Homes and Gardens”
✘ Poem: “Flower in the Crannied Wall”
✘ Story: “Bernice Bobs her Hair”

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 Examples
✘ Play: “How to Succeed in Business Without
Really Trying”
✘ Painting: “The Artist’s Daughter with a Cat”
✘ Music: “The Triumph of Time and Truth”
✘ Subtitle: “Language: A Reflection of People and
Culture”
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 4.8. Capitalize Titles of Courses
when they are Language Courses or
when followed by a Number

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Examples:

With Capitals:
Latin II, English, California History 1A

Without Capitals:
mathematics, history, home economics

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Rule 5: Capitals in letters
5.1. Capitalize the First Word and
all Nouns in Letter Salutations
and the First Word in Letter
Closings

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Examples

Salutations: Dear Brian, My dear Friend,

Ladies:

Closings: With deepest regards,

Sincerely, Yours truly,

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 “Capital letters works as a
visual clue to the reader by
making certain words stand
out more prominently on a
printed page.”
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THANKS!
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