Transcript Cooperative Online Writing Lab

Cooperative
Online
Writing Lab
Conquering
Capitalization
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
What is capitalization?
* Capitalization is when
the first letter of a
word is changed from
lower case form (he)
into upper case form
(He).
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
When do you use capitalization?
Sentences should begin with capital
letters.
The pronoun “I” should always be
capitalized.
Many words, however, should only be
capitalized in certain contexts.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Proper and Common Nouns


Capitalize proper nouns and words derived
from them; do not capitalize common
nouns.
Proper nouns are the names of specific
persons, places, and things. All other
nouns are common nouns.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Directions
The four directions (north, south, east, and west) should be
capitalized when used as sections of the country, but they
should not be capitalized when used as compass
directions.
In the South, the climate is hot and humid.
South in this sentence is referring to a specific place.
I turned south towards Florida.
South is not acting as a noun in this sentence, so it is not
capitalized. South is acting as an adverb.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Calendar Capitalization



Days of the week, the months of the year,
and holidays should be capitalized.
Seasons are not generally capitalized only
when they are used in a title.
Names of countries, nationalities, and
specific languages should be capitalized.
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Religious relations that
should be capitalized.



Names for deity like God, Father, Son, Holy
Spirit.
Scared books like the Bible, the Koran, etc.
Religions like Christianity, Buddhism,
Judaism, Hinduism, etc.
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Capitalization of Names


Capitalize names of persons when
addressing the person directly as if they
were in the room right now and listening to
the conversation.
For example: I asked Mom to get the
basket. I asked my mom to get the basket.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Titles of Persons
Capitalize titles of persons when used as part of
a proper name but usually not when used alone.
For example: Professor Don White gave a lecture
today. The professor gave a lecture today.
 In addition, do not capitalize titles following
names.
For example: Don White, professor of biology, is
giving a thirty minute lecture on cloning today.

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Titles of Literary Works

Capitalize the first, last, and all major
words in titles and subtitles of works
such as books, articles, songs, and
online documents.
For example: The Star Spangle Banner,
Go Tell It on the Mountain, and Romeo and
Juliet.

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Quotes


Capitalize the first word of a quoted
sentence but not a quoted phrase.
For example: Lee said, “I got my voting
ballot.” Lee was thrilled that she “got [her]
voting ballot.”
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Colons and Capitalization


Do not capitalize the first word after a colon
unless it begins an independent clause, in
which case capitalization is optional.
For example: I am going to having these
foods on my reception list: a wedding cake,
mini hot dogs, fruits, vegetables, crackers,
and a cheese ball.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Abbreviations


Capitalize abbreviations for departments
and agencies of government, other
organizations, and corporations; capitalize
the call letters of radio and television
stations.
For example: PBS TNN KISS-FM
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
It’s your turn!
Correct the following sentences.
You
are are
the the
bestbest
friend
I have.
Thank
you you
1. you
friend
i have.
Thank
for
me
onon
thethe
KISS-FM
show.
forgetting
getting
me
Kiss-FMradio
radio
show.
2.
Uncle
a joker
on april
fool’s
day.
My My
uncle
is a is
joker
on April
Fool’s
Day.
Aunt
Auntand
Betty
and Bill
uncle
Betty
Uncle
likeBill
to like
picktoonpick
theon
little
the little children.
children.
3. I was born in the deep south in the same
I was born in the deep South in the same state
state as president George Bush.
as President George Bush.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Now
you
have
control
of
capitalization!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Need More Assistance?
Stop by the
Writing Center or
Come back to
COWL again
and again!
We Mooove
fast to
help you!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005