Capitalization
Capitalization
Proper names are capitalized: Mrs. Smith, Caroline
Capitalize names and nicknames such as Buffalo Bill, Pepsi, George Washington
Capitalize people and their languages such as African Americans, Eskimos, Asians, English, Korean, etc.
Capitalize geographical names. Capitalize both words if a specific location is addressed. Do not capitalize directions unless it is part of a specific location.
China, Ellis Island, New Jersey, Yellowstone National Park
Ohio River, Pacific Ocean, North Main Street, Randolph County
There is a river near our house. The ocean is to the east. We live in a rural county.
Capitalize organizations, institutions, and companies such as Howard University, Ford Motor Company, Museum of Modern Art if is specific.
Ford Motor Company vs. a motor car company
There is a university in our city vs. the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is in our city.
Landwell and Rubrics Law Firm vs. a large law firm
Capitalize regions such as the Midwest, the Far East, the Pacific Northwest
Capitalize days of the week, months, and holidays but not seasons such as Wednesday, August, Fourth of July, winter, and spring.
Capitalize historical documents, periods, and movements such as Declaration of Independence, Stone Age, Gulf War
Capitalize religions, holy books, holy days such as Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Bible, Koran, Easter, Ramadan, Yom Kippur
Capitalize titles of words that precede the name are capitalized but not those that follow it or stand alone such as President Bush but not George Bush, the president
In titles of books, plays, and essays, the words are capitalized except for small words such as a, an, the, in , on, to, with, for, etc.
Capitalize the first word of every sentence.