OST164 Text Editing Applications

Section 3 – CapitalizationPart I: Paragraphs 301-317

Basic Rules ¶ 301Capitalize 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) American (adj.)

Russian (noun) Russian (adj.)

Hispanics (noun) Hispanic (adj.)

Exceptions:

Congress congressional

Senate senatorial

Constitution 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 the Middle Ages a Big Mac

a Good Samaritan the First Lady Ground Zero

the Queen Bee the Big Kahuna Big Brother

Mr. Nice Guy Smokey Bear Generation X

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 Logan Airport (serving Boston)the street the Ninth Street

Common Nouns ¶307-308-309a

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 Is De Luca leaving?

Charles de Gaulle served… De Gaulle served…

Special Rules ¶311 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 ¶312-313Titles With Personal Names

Special Rules ¶313Titles 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 ¶313Titles 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 ¶313Titles 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.

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

Special Rules ¶317