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| Essential Writing Skills in Context |
Capitalization
Capitalization is perhaps the most easy of all writing mistakes to detect. Some capitalization errors are glaringly obvious (like forgetting to capitalize the first letter of a sentence), while others are more obscure and require writers (and even some teachers) to go hunting for a higher authority to clarify the rule. The higher authority I suggest you consult would be the Capitalization page on the Grammar Rules section of this CD. For now, here are seven rules that you should be aware of, and below them are 3 examples of capitalization questions that you may see on the HSGQE.
1. Capitalize the first word of every sentence and the first word of a greeting and closing of a letter.
As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality. Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Dear John,
Sincerely,
2. Always capitalize the personal pronoun I.
The roaring of the wind in my wife and the stars through the window pane are my children. The mighty abstract idea I have of beauty in all things stifles the more divided and minute domestic happiness. John Keats (1795-1821)
If you tell me I'm fired, I'll quit!
3. Capitalize words such as mother, father, aunt, uncle, etc., only when they are used as names.
Is Dad home yet, it's well past midnight?
I went to visit my Aunt Carmella before she had her surgery.
My dad is home every night by seven sharp..
I went with my mom and dad to visit my aunt and uncle.
4. In titles, capitalize the first, last and all important words. Usually we don't capitalize articles, prepositions, and coordinating conjunctions.
Shadows on the Koyukuk was written by the brother of the author of On the Edge of Nowhere.
The Iliad was the first book I read in college.
5. Capitalize names of specific persons, places, and geographic locations, but don't capitalize directions.
Did you know that Michael Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York but was raised in the South?
If you head due west, you'll eventually hit the Pacific Ocean.
6. Capitalize the initials of a person's name.
P.J. Brown has had a successful basketball career.
An excellent guide to writing was co-authored by E.B. White.
7. Capitalize the names of the days of the week, month, and holiday.
This year Thanksgiving will be on the third Thursday in November.