{"id":364,"date":"2014-07-25T20:09:59","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T20:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/writershandbook\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=364"},"modified":"2014-07-25T21:16:43","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T21:16:43","slug":"19-2-using-capital-letters","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/chapter\/19-2-using-capital-letters\/","title":{"raw":"19.2 Using Capital Letters","rendered":"19.2 Using Capital Letters"},"content":{"raw":"&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"im_section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\"><span class=\"im_title-prefix\">19.2<\/span> Using Capital Letters<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"im_learning_objectives im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_n01\">\r\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_l01\">\r\n\t<li>Recognize standard capitalization conventions.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Utilize capitalization in proper situations.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nWith the advent of new <span class=\"im_margin_term\"><span class=\"im_glossterm\">social networking<\/span><\/span> structures, such as text messaging, IM (instant messaging), and Facebook, the reliance on traditional standard capital letters has been relaxed in informal settings. This laxity got its start as a means of expediency since the use of capital letters required additional efforts for people using only a couple of fingers or thumbs for typing words. Rather quickly, the use of abbreviations and lack of capital letters became fashionable\u2014almost like a status symbol indicating a person\u2019s social networking awareness. Despite this now common exclusion of capital letters in personal situations, capital letters are still the proper choice in professional and academic settings. If you are someone who writes far more often on a cell phone than on a computer, you are likely to benefit from a brush up on capitalization rules for those occasions when you are composing more official documents.\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns, Trade Names, I, and O<\/h2>\r\nSome words are capitalized whenever they are used. Proper nouns, trade names, the pronoun \u201cI,\u201d and \u201cO\u201d when used as an interjection make up this category of words.\r\n\r\n<span class=\"im_margin_term\"><span class=\"im_glossterm\">Proper nouns<\/span><\/span> include names of specific persons, places, or things. Words that are typically <span class=\"im_margin_term\"><span class=\"im_glossterm\">common nouns<\/span><\/span> can become proper nouns when they are used as part of a name.\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">People<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01_s01\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns<\/h2>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01_s01_l01\">\r\n\t<li>Mike Smith<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Mrs. Fenora<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Judge Halloway<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Slick (used as a name)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>President Abraham Lincoln<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Mom (used as a name)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Methodist<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Kelly<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01_s02\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Nouns (Not Proper)<\/h2>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01_s02_l01\">\r\n\t<li>girl<\/li>\r\n\t<li>teacher<\/li>\r\n\t<li>mom (my mom)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>friend<\/li>\r\n\t<li>judge<\/li>\r\n\t<li>president<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Places<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02_s01\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns<\/h2>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02_s01_l01\">\r\n\t<li>Florida<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Disney World<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Tampa<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Africa<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Stockton High School<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Winnie\u2019s Grocery Store<\/li>\r\n\t<li>1432 W. Cherry Ave.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Museum of Modern Art<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Atlantic Ocean<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02_s02\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Nouns (Not Proper)<\/h2>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02_s02_l01\">\r\n\t<li>state<\/li>\r\n\t<li>city<\/li>\r\n\t<li>street<\/li>\r\n\t<li>park<\/li>\r\n\t<li>town<\/li>\r\n\t<li>store<\/li>\r\n\t<li>kitchen<\/li>\r\n\t<li>museum<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Things<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03_s01\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns<\/h2>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03_s01_l01\">\r\n\t<li>Washington Monument (a monument)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Great Wall of China (a landmark)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Chico (a dog)<\/li>\r\n\t<li><em class=\"im_emphasis\">USS California<\/em> (a ship)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>US History 101 (a course)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>University of Arizona (a university)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Renaissance (an era)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Bible (a book)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Tuesday (a day)<\/li>\r\n\t<li>April (a month)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03_s02\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Nouns (Not Proper)<\/h2>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03_s02_l01\">\r\n\t<li>boat<\/li>\r\n\t<li>newspaper<\/li>\r\n\t<li>dog<\/li>\r\n\t<li>house<\/li>\r\n\t<li>book<\/li>\r\n\t<li>history<\/li>\r\n\t<li>university<\/li>\r\n\t<li>century<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Trade Names<\/h2>\r\nTrade names include names of specific companies and products.\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04_s01\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns<\/h2>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04_s01_l01\">\r\n\t<li>Kellogg\u2019s<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Panasonic<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Starbucks<\/li>\r\n\t<li>BlackBerry<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Chevrolet<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Land\u2019s End<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04_s02\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Nouns (Not Proper)<\/h2>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04_s02_l01\">\r\n\t<li>cereal<\/li>\r\n\t<li>television<\/li>\r\n\t<li>doll<\/li>\r\n\t<li>phone<\/li>\r\n\t<li>car<\/li>\r\n\t<li>company<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s05\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">I and O<\/h2>\r\nThe letters \u201cI\u201d and \u201cO\u201d each represent words that are always capitalized.\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s05_l01\">\r\n\t<li>I (as a proper noun): If you have time, I will go with you.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>O (as a vocative in direct address): O you who are about to enter here, beware!<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s02\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">First Word in a Sentence<\/h2>\r\nCapitalizing the first word in a sentence appears fairly straightforward at first glance. But there are actually some variations you should keep in mind.\r\n<div class=\"im_informaltable im_block\">\r\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Capitalize the first word of a standard, simple sentence.<\/td>\r\n<td><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">W<\/strong>e usually start mowing our lawn in March.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Capitalize the first word in a sentence of dialogue.<\/td>\r\n<td>Beth said, \u201c<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">P<\/strong>lease help me lift this box.\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Do not capitalize the first word of dialogue that continues after the speaker\u2019s name when the sentence has not yet ended.<\/td>\r\n<td>\u201cPlease,\u201d Beth said, \u201chelp me lift this box.\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Capitalize the first word in a quoted sentence when it is written in dialogue formation.<\/td>\r\n<td>Ellery Jones noted, \u201c<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">O<\/strong>nline education is here to stay.\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Do not capitalize the first word in quoted text when it is imbedded in an existing sentence.<\/td>\r\n<td>Ellery Jones agrees that online education is \u201chere to stay.\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Do not capitalize the first word of a sentence that follows a colon, unless the colon introduces two or more sentences.<\/td>\r\n<td>Sports carry a lot of weight at our school: the football program is the only program that is funded at 100 percent each year.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Capitalize stand-alone sentences within parentheses.<\/td>\r\n<td>Order your binders ahead of time. (<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">Y<\/strong>ou\u2019ll need one for each course.)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Do not capitalize sentences within parentheses if they are included as part of another sentence.<\/td>\r\n<td>Order your binders ahead of time (one for each course).<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Capitalize the first word of continuation questions.<\/td>\r\n<td>Are you attending on the eighth? <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">T<\/strong>he ninth? <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">T<\/strong>he tenth?<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Do not capitalize the first letter of a noncapitalized proper noun even if it falls at the beginning of a sentence. (Generally try not to place such words at the beginning of sentences.)<\/td>\r\n<td><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">i<\/strong>Phones took the market by storm.\r\n\r\nOR\r\n\r\nThe iPhone took the market by storm.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Defer to the capitalization used in poetry or in other sources. (In some cases, the poem will not capitalize the first word of each line.)<\/td>\r\n<td><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">I<\/strong> think that I shall never see\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">A<\/strong> poem lovely as a tree\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">A<\/strong> tree whose hungry mouth is prest\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">A<\/strong>gainst the earth\u2019s sweet flowing breast\u2026\r\n\r\nfrom \u201cTrees\u201d by Joyce Kilmer<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s03\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Key Words in Titles and Subtitles<\/h2>\r\nIn titles and subtitles, capitalize key words, including first words, last words, nouns, verbs, pronouns, adverbs, and adjectives. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions unless they are in the initial position (either at the beginning of the entire title or at the beginning of the phrase after a colon if there is one). Look at the Figure 19.1 and consider why each word is capitalized or not.\r\n<div class=\"im_figure im_large im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s03_f01\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"im_title-prefix\">Figure 19.1<\/span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/textimgs.s3.amazonaws.com\/writershandbook\/section_23\/4daaed98ad1a730880245eede8c71b15.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/textimgs.s3.amazonaws.com\/writershandbook\/images\/sm_4daaed98ad1a730880245eede8c71b15.jpg#fixme\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s04\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Abbreviations<\/h2>\r\nCapitalize abbreviations of proper nouns, such as the following:\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s04_l01\">\r\n\t<li>Schools: UNL, ISU, U of I<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Government agencies: USDA, CIA, FBI<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Countries and states: USA, NY, TX<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Organizations: BSA, AFS<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Corporations: IBM, AT&amp;T<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Television and radio stations: NBC, CBS, WLS<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s05\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Bulleted Items<\/h2>\r\nIf the items in a bulleted list are sentences, capitalize the first word of each item, as follows:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSemester exam schedule:\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s05_l01\">\r\n\t<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">S<\/strong>emester exams for M-W-F classes will be given on December 12.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">S<\/strong>emester exams for T-Th classes will be given on December 13.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">S<\/strong>emester exams for once-a-week classes will be given as arranged by the professor.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf the items are not sentences and are not continuations of a sentence stem, capitalize the first word of each item, as follows:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSemester exam schedule:\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s05_l02\">\r\n\t<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">C<\/strong>lasses held on M-W-F: December 12<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">C<\/strong>lasses held on T-Th: December 13<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">C<\/strong>lasses held once-a-week: As arranged by instructor<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf the items are continuations of a sentence stem, do not capitalize the first word unless it happens to be a proper noun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSemester exams will be held on\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s05_l03\">\r\n\t<li>December 12 for M-W-F classes,<\/li>\r\n\t<li>December 13 for T-Th classes,<\/li>\r\n\t<li>a date arranged by the professors for once-a-week classes.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Misuse of Capital Letters<\/h2>\r\nAvoid the unnecessary use of capital letters. As a rule, you can avoid capitalization errors by adhering to the rules for capitalization. But the following \u201cdon\u2019t capitalize\u201d suggestions can help you to avoid making some common mistakes.\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_l01\">\r\n\t<li>Capitalize names of holidays and months but not seasons:\r\n\r\nwinter, spring, summer, fall<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not capitalize words such as \u201cmom\u201d and \u201cdad\u201d when they are used to talk about someone as opposed to when used as a name:\r\n\r\nCapitalize: \u201cWhat did you say, <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">M<\/strong>om?\u201d\r\n\r\nDon\u2019t capitalize: \u201cMy mom and dad came with me.\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not capitalize words that are often used as part of a name when they are used in other ways:\r\n\r\n\u201cMy family tree includes a general, a US president, and a princess.\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Only capitalize direction words that designate a specific location:\r\n\r\nCapitalize: \u201cI live out <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">W<\/strong>est.\u201d\r\n\r\nDon\u2019t capitalize: \u201cI live west of Nebraska.\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t<li>You can choose to capitalize a word for emphasis, but avoid overusing this technique since it will lessen the effect.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Entire words and sentences written in capital letters are hard to read. Also, in online situations, this type of typing is referred to as shouting. So except in very rare situations, avoid typing in all capitals.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"im_key_takeaways im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_n01\">\r\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_l02\">\r\n\t<li>Capitalize proper nouns, trade names, the word \u201cI,\u201d and the interjection \u201cO.\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Capitalize the first word in a sentence and key words in titles and subtitles.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Capitalize abbreviations of proper nouns and the first word of items in a bulleted list.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_exercises im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_n02\">\r\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Exercises<\/h3>\r\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_l03\">\r\n\t<li>Write a (short) short story that uses five capitalization rules in this section. Use a color-coded key and word highlighting to identify where the capitalization rules are satisfied.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Make a copy of a page from a textbook. Assign each capital letter on the page to one of the capitalization rules by placing a letter from <em class=\"im_emphasis\">a<\/em> through <em class=\"im_emphasis\">f<\/em> (representing Section 2.1 through Section 2.6) next to each capital letter. Make sure to use a color of ink that will stand out. Circle any missing or misused capitalization.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"im_section\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\"><span class=\"im_title-prefix\">19.2<\/span> Using Capital Letters<\/h2>\n<div class=\"im_learning_objectives im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_n01\">\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_l01\">\n<li>Recognize standard capitalization conventions.<\/li>\n<li>Utilize capitalization in proper situations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p>With the advent of new <span class=\"im_margin_term\"><span class=\"im_glossterm\">social networking<\/span><\/span> structures, such as text messaging, IM (instant messaging), and Facebook, the reliance on traditional standard capital letters has been relaxed in informal settings. This laxity got its start as a means of expediency since the use of capital letters required additional efforts for people using only a couple of fingers or thumbs for typing words. Rather quickly, the use of abbreviations and lack of capital letters became fashionable\u2014almost like a status symbol indicating a person\u2019s social networking awareness. Despite this now common exclusion of capital letters in personal situations, capital letters are still the proper choice in professional and academic settings. If you are someone who writes far more often on a cell phone than on a computer, you are likely to benefit from a brush up on capitalization rules for those occasions when you are composing more official documents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns, Trade Names, I, and O<\/h2>\n<p>Some words are capitalized whenever they are used. Proper nouns, trade names, the pronoun \u201cI,\u201d and \u201cO\u201d when used as an interjection make up this category of words.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"im_margin_term\"><span class=\"im_glossterm\">Proper nouns<\/span><\/span> include names of specific persons, places, or things. Words that are typically <span class=\"im_margin_term\"><span class=\"im_glossterm\">common nouns<\/span><\/span> can become proper nouns when they are used as part of a name.<\/p>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">People<\/h2>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01_s01\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01_s01_l01\">\n<li>Mike Smith<\/li>\n<li>Mrs. Fenora<\/li>\n<li>Judge Halloway<\/li>\n<li>Slick (used as a name)<\/li>\n<li>President Abraham Lincoln<\/li>\n<li>Mom (used as a name)<\/li>\n<li>Methodist<\/li>\n<li>Kelly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01_s02\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Nouns (Not Proper)<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s01_s02_l01\">\n<li>girl<\/li>\n<li>teacher<\/li>\n<li>mom (my mom)<\/li>\n<li>friend<\/li>\n<li>judge<\/li>\n<li>president<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Places<\/h2>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02_s01\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02_s01_l01\">\n<li>Florida<\/li>\n<li>Disney World<\/li>\n<li>Tampa<\/li>\n<li>Africa<\/li>\n<li>Stockton High School<\/li>\n<li>Winnie\u2019s Grocery Store<\/li>\n<li>1432 W. Cherry Ave.<\/li>\n<li>Museum of Modern Art<\/li>\n<li>Atlantic Ocean<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02_s02\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Nouns (Not Proper)<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s02_s02_l01\">\n<li>state<\/li>\n<li>city<\/li>\n<li>street<\/li>\n<li>park<\/li>\n<li>town<\/li>\n<li>store<\/li>\n<li>kitchen<\/li>\n<li>museum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Things<\/h2>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03_s01\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03_s01_l01\">\n<li>Washington Monument (a monument)<\/li>\n<li>Great Wall of China (a landmark)<\/li>\n<li>Chico (a dog)<\/li>\n<li><em class=\"im_emphasis\">USS California<\/em> (a ship)<\/li>\n<li>US History 101 (a course)<\/li>\n<li>University of Arizona (a university)<\/li>\n<li>Renaissance (an era)<\/li>\n<li>Bible (a book)<\/li>\n<li>Tuesday (a day)<\/li>\n<li>April (a month)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03_s02\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Nouns (Not Proper)<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s03_s02_l01\">\n<li>boat<\/li>\n<li>newspaper<\/li>\n<li>dog<\/li>\n<li>house<\/li>\n<li>book<\/li>\n<li>history<\/li>\n<li>university<\/li>\n<li>century<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Trade Names<\/h2>\n<p>Trade names include names of specific companies and products.<\/p>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04_s01\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Proper Nouns<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04_s01_l01\">\n<li>Kellogg\u2019s<\/li>\n<li>Panasonic<\/li>\n<li>Starbucks<\/li>\n<li>BlackBerry<\/li>\n<li>Chevrolet<\/li>\n<li>Land\u2019s End<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04_s02\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Nouns (Not Proper)<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s04_s02_l01\">\n<li>cereal<\/li>\n<li>television<\/li>\n<li>doll<\/li>\n<li>phone<\/li>\n<li>car<\/li>\n<li>company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s05\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">I and O<\/h2>\n<p>The letters \u201cI\u201d and \u201cO\u201d each represent words that are always capitalized.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s01_s05_l01\">\n<li>I (as a proper noun): If you have time, I will go with you.<\/li>\n<li>O (as a vocative in direct address): O you who are about to enter here, beware!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s02\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">First Word in a Sentence<\/h2>\n<p>Capitalizing the first word in a sentence appears fairly straightforward at first glance. But there are actually some variations you should keep in mind.<\/p>\n<div class=\"im_informaltable im_block\">\n<table cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"border-spacing: 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Capitalize the first word of a standard, simple sentence.<\/td>\n<td><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">W<\/strong>e usually start mowing our lawn in March.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Capitalize the first word in a sentence of dialogue.<\/td>\n<td>Beth said, \u201c<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">P<\/strong>lease help me lift this box.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Do not capitalize the first word of dialogue that continues after the speaker\u2019s name when the sentence has not yet ended.<\/td>\n<td>\u201cPlease,\u201d Beth said, \u201chelp me lift this box.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Capitalize the first word in a quoted sentence when it is written in dialogue formation.<\/td>\n<td>Ellery Jones noted, \u201c<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">O<\/strong>nline education is here to stay.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Do not capitalize the first word in quoted text when it is imbedded in an existing sentence.<\/td>\n<td>Ellery Jones agrees that online education is \u201chere to stay.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Do not capitalize the first word of a sentence that follows a colon, unless the colon introduces two or more sentences.<\/td>\n<td>Sports carry a lot of weight at our school: the football program is the only program that is funded at 100 percent each year.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Capitalize stand-alone sentences within parentheses.<\/td>\n<td>Order your binders ahead of time. (<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">Y<\/strong>ou\u2019ll need one for each course.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Do not capitalize sentences within parentheses if they are included as part of another sentence.<\/td>\n<td>Order your binders ahead of time (one for each course).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Capitalize the first word of continuation questions.<\/td>\n<td>Are you attending on the eighth? <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">T<\/strong>he ninth? <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">T<\/strong>he tenth?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Do not capitalize the first letter of a noncapitalized proper noun even if it falls at the beginning of a sentence. (Generally try not to place such words at the beginning of sentences.)<\/td>\n<td><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">i<\/strong>Phones took the market by storm.<\/p>\n<p>OR<\/p>\n<p>The iPhone took the market by storm.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Defer to the capitalization used in poetry or in other sources. (In some cases, the poem will not capitalize the first word of each line.)<\/td>\n<td><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">I<\/strong> think that I shall never see<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">A<\/strong> poem lovely as a tree<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">A<\/strong> tree whose hungry mouth is prest<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">A<\/strong>gainst the earth\u2019s sweet flowing breast\u2026<\/p>\n<p>from \u201cTrees\u201d by Joyce Kilmer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s03\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Key Words in Titles and Subtitles<\/h2>\n<p>In titles and subtitles, capitalize key words, including first words, last words, nouns, verbs, pronouns, adverbs, and adjectives. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions unless they are in the initial position (either at the beginning of the entire title or at the beginning of the phrase after a colon if there is one). Look at the Figure 19.1 and consider why each word is capitalized or not.<\/p>\n<div class=\"im_figure im_large im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s03_f01\">\n<p><span class=\"im_title-prefix\">Figure 19.1<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/textimgs.s3.amazonaws.com\/writershandbook\/section_23\/4daaed98ad1a730880245eede8c71b15.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/textimgs.s3.amazonaws.com\/writershandbook\/images\/sm_4daaed98ad1a730880245eede8c71b15.jpg#fixme\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s04\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Abbreviations<\/h2>\n<p>Capitalize abbreviations of proper nouns, such as the following:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s04_l01\">\n<li>Schools: UNL, ISU, U of I<\/li>\n<li>Government agencies: USDA, CIA, FBI<\/li>\n<li>Countries and states: USA, NY, TX<\/li>\n<li>Organizations: BSA, AFS<\/li>\n<li>Corporations: IBM, AT&amp;T<\/li>\n<li>Television and radio stations: NBC, CBS, WLS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s05\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Bulleted Items<\/h2>\n<p>If the items in a bulleted list are sentences, capitalize the first word of each item, as follows:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Semester exam schedule:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s05_l01\">\n<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">S<\/strong>emester exams for M-W-F classes will be given on December 12.<\/li>\n<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">S<\/strong>emester exams for T-Th classes will be given on December 13.<\/li>\n<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">S<\/strong>emester exams for once-a-week classes will be given as arranged by the professor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If the items are not sentences and are not continuations of a sentence stem, capitalize the first word of each item, as follows:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Semester exam schedule:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s05_l02\">\n<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">C<\/strong>lasses held on M-W-F: December 12<\/li>\n<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">C<\/strong>lasses held on T-Th: December 13<\/li>\n<li><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">C<\/strong>lasses held once-a-week: As arranged by instructor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If the items are continuations of a sentence stem, do not capitalize the first word unless it happens to be a proper noun.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Semester exams will be held on<\/p>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s05_l03\">\n<li>December 12 for M-W-F classes,<\/li>\n<li>December 13 for T-Th classes,<\/li>\n<li>a date arranged by the professors for once-a-week classes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_section\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\">Common Misuse of Capital Letters<\/h2>\n<p>Avoid the unnecessary use of capital letters. As a rule, you can avoid capitalization errors by adhering to the rules for capitalization. But the following \u201cdon\u2019t capitalize\u201d suggestions can help you to avoid making some common mistakes.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_l01\">\n<li>Capitalize names of holidays and months but not seasons:\n<p>winter, spring, summer, fall<\/li>\n<li>Do not capitalize words such as \u201cmom\u201d and \u201cdad\u201d when they are used to talk about someone as opposed to when used as a name:\n<p>Capitalize: \u201cWhat did you say, <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">M<\/strong>om?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t capitalize: \u201cMy mom and dad came with me.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Do not capitalize words that are often used as part of a name when they are used in other ways:\n<p>\u201cMy family tree includes a general, a US president, and a princess.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Only capitalize direction words that designate a specific location:\n<p>Capitalize: \u201cI live out <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">W<\/strong>est.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t capitalize: \u201cI live west of Nebraska.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>You can choose to capitalize a word for emphasis, but avoid overusing this technique since it will lessen the effect.<\/li>\n<li>Entire words and sentences written in capital letters are hard to read. Also, in online situations, this type of typing is referred to as shouting. So except in very rare situations, avoid typing in all capitals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"im_key_takeaways im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_n01\">\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_l02\">\n<li>Capitalize proper nouns, trade names, the word \u201cI,\u201d and the interjection \u201cO.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Capitalize the first word in a sentence and key words in titles and subtitles.<\/li>\n<li>Capitalize abbreviations of proper nouns and the first word of items in a bulleted list.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_exercises im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_n02\">\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Exercises<\/h3>\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch19_s02_s06_l03\">\n<li>Write a (short) short story that uses five capitalization rules in this section. Use a color-coded key and word highlighting to identify where the capitalization rules are satisfied.<\/li>\n<li>Make a copy of a page from a textbook. Assign each capital letter on the page to one of the capitalization rules by placing a letter from <em class=\"im_emphasis\">a<\/em> through <em class=\"im_emphasis\">f<\/em> (representing Section 2.1 through Section 2.6) next to each capital letter. Make sure to use a color of ink that will stand out. Circle any missing or misused capitalization.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-364\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Writers Handbook. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Anonymous. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Anonymous. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/writers-handbook\/\">http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/writers-handbook\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":5,"menu_order":105,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Writers Handbook\",\"author\":\"Anonymous\",\"organization\":\"Anonymous\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/writers-handbook\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-364","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":423,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":660,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/364\/revisions\/660"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/423"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/364\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=364"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=364"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}