Chapter 3
Capitalization
Capitalization is the writing of a word with its first letter in uppercase and the remaining letters in lowercase. Experienced writers are stingy with capitals. It is best not to use them if there is any doubt.
Rule 1. Capitalize the first word of a document and the first word after a period.
Rule 2. Capitalize proper nouns—and adjectives derived from proper nouns.
| Examples: | the Golden Gate Bridge |
| the Grand Canyon | |
| a Russian song | |
| a Shakespearean sonnet | |
| a Freudian slip |
With the passage of time, some words originally derived from proper nouns have taken on a life, and authority, of their own and no longer require capitalization.
| Examples: | herculean (from the ancient-Greek hero Hercules) |
| quixotic (from the hero of the classic novel Don Quixote) | |
| draconian (from ancient-Athenian lawgiver Draco) |
The main function of capitals is to focus attention on particular elements within any group of people, places, or things. We can speak of a lake in the middle of the country, or we can be more specific and say Lake Michigan, which distinguishes it from every other lake on earth.
Capitalization Reference List
- Brand names
- Companies
- Days of the week and months of the year
- Governmental matters
Congress (but congressional), the U.S. Constitution (but constitutional), the Electoral College, Department of Agriculture. Note: Many authorities do not capitalize federal or state unless it is part of the official title: State Water Resources Control Board ...
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