Rhetoric and Composition/Capitalization
Capitalize means to use uppercase for the first letter of a word.
Basic Principles
edit- Proper nouns: Capitalize nouns that are the unique identification for a particular person, place or thing.
- Example: Michael, Minnesota, North America.
- Proper names: Capitalize common nouns like party only when they are part of the full name for the person, place or thing.
- Example: I am a member of the Democratic Party.
- Example: Are you going to the party?
They are also lowercased when being used in a plural setting:
- Example: The Democratic and Republican parties.
- Sentences: Capitalize the first word of every sentence including quoted statements and direct questions.
- Composition: Capitalize the main words in the names of books, movies, plays, poems, operas, songs, radio and television programs, etc.
- Example: Family Guy.
- Titles: Capitalize formal titles only when used in front of a name, not when used after the name.
- Example: Associate Professor John Doe / John Doe, associate professor.
- Academic titles: Capitalize and spell out formal titles only when they precede a name.
- Example: Chancellor David Nachriener.
Bibliography
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