Capitalization is a part of grammar that we all think is easy and not worth studying.

Let’s see just how easy it is…

-- A ROOM DIVIDED --

“Good morning, good morning, good morning Coaches; how are you?”

“I run split veers. Like Novocain, give it time and it

always works.”

“How ya doin’ Reverend?”

“If you want any of us to play for you, you reserve half the starting positions for Hammond players.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ve got an announcement to

make.”

“Where’s your folks, Gary?” He asked, “Your parents,

are they here?”

Gary, if you want to play on this football team, you

answer me when I ask you, “Who is your Daddy?”

Uh, Dean? Fix that tie Son.

-- Tie Breaker --

I’m Gerry Bertier, the only All-American you got on this

team.

-- Congratulations --

Rules of Capitalization-- --

You should always capitalize…Courses of specific study.

You should always capitalize…Courses of specific study.

-- Always capitalize subjects when they are used specifically or are derived from proper nouns.

Ex. -I have to take Calculus and history this year.-Of everything I take, English is my favorite

course.

You should always capitalize…Courses of specific study.

Adjectives made from nouns.

You should always capitalize…Adjectives made from nouns.

--Always capitalize any adjectives that are made from proper nouns.

Ex: -I really like that SNL skit about a Japanese gameshow.

-We all really enjoy the American way of life.

You should always capitalize…Courses of specific study.

Adjectives made from nouns.

Places you can go.

You should always capitalize…Places you can go.

--Always capitalize the name of a place.

Ex: -One of my favorite cities to visit is Savannah.-Most of the people in our class grew up in the South.

You should always capitalize…EXCEPTION

Do not capitalize directions.

Ex. We’re heading south for the winter.

You should always capitalize…Courses of specific study.

Adjectives made from nouns.

Places you can go.

Someone’s or something’s name or title.

You should always capitalize…

Someone’s or something’s name or title.--Always capitalize someone’s or

something’s proper name and title.

Ex: -My Isuzu Rodeo is about to hit 100,000 miles.-My daughter’s name is Nora Reese.-I think that Mom is the best cook on the planet!

You should always capitalize…EXCEPTION

Do not capitalize titles that you could not replace with someone’s name.

Ex. -I think that Stacy’s mom has got it going on.-When my brother was born, I asked to return him to the hospital and trade him for a dog.

You should always capitalize…EXCEPTION

Do not capitalize seasons.

Ex. -Many birds, and senior citizens, go south for the winter.

You should always capitalize…Courses of specific study.

Adjectives made from nouns.

Places you can go.

Someone’s or something’s name or title.

Start of quotations.

You should always capitalize…Start of quotations.

--Always capitalize the first letter in a quote if the quote is a complete

sentence, question, or fragment.

Ex: -He replied, “My iguana ate my homework!”-She asked, “Why did you do that?”-He shouted, “You told me to!”

You should always capitalize…EXCEPTION

Do not capitalize quotes that are fragments AND a part of the larger

sentence.

Ex. -Jay said that it would be “far better” to admit to doing it than to lie about it.

You should always capitalize…EXCEPTION

Do not capitalize quotes that are interrupted.

Ex. - “I think it would be a good idea,” said the teacher, “to do your work ahead of time.”

Just remember…CAPSS

Just remember…Courses of specific study.

APSS

Just remember…Courses of specific study.

Adjectives made from nouns.

PSS

Just remember…Courses of specific study.

Adjectives made from nouns.

Places you can go.

SS

Just remember…Courses of specific study.

Adjectives made from nouns.

Places you can go.

Someone’s or something’s name or title.

S

Just remember…Courses of specific study.

Adjectives made from nouns.

Places you can go.

Someone’s or something’s name or title.

Start of quotations.