Basic Capitalization Rules Review

capitalization and DIRECT quotes

1. Capitalize the first word of a sentence, whether or not it begins a direct quotation "The water and the air were the two things we shared," she said. 2. Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation that is a COMPLETE SENTENCE, even when it begins in the middle of a sentence. They walked on again in silence and finally she said, thoughtfully, "You know, I'm not afraid of you at all." 3. Do not capitalize the first word of a quotation that cannot stand as a complete sentence Thomas was described as "very much an unknown quantity." 4. When a quoted sentence is interrupted by an explanatory phrase, do not capitalize the second part of the sentence "Devil," I exclaimed, "do you dare approach me?" 5. If a new sentence begins the second part of a quotation, put a period after the explanatory phrase and capitalize the second part. "Bravery is not enough," said Squealer, "Loyalty and obedience are more important..."

closings

1. Capitalize the first word of the closing of a letter 2. capitalize first and last names included in closings

salutations (greetings)

1. Capitalize the first word of the salutation AND the recipient's first and last names. Also capitalize the first letter of the sentence that begins the content of the letter.

capitalization and colons :

1. a colon can be used between main clauses when the second clause explains the first. Capitalize the FIRST WORD of the FIRST CLAUSE. Do not capitalize the first word of the second clause. 2. In sentences with a colon followed by a list, capitalize the first word in the sentence. Do not capitalize the first word in the list.

The Capitalization Golden Rule

Begin EVERY sentence with a capital letter (every new sentence starts after an end mark of some kind . ! ? )

capitalization and dashes ( -- )

In sentences with dashes that set of explanatory information, capitalize the first word in the sentence. Do not capitalize general words between dashes.

capitalization and INDIRECT quotes

Indirect quotes do not repeat exact words nor appear in quotation marks. Indirect quotes within sentences are not capitalized as they are usually incorporated into a larger complex sentence. (Mary heard the conductor say that the next stop is Greenwich.)

direct quote

Using an author's language word for word

clause

a group of words with a subject and a verb

indirect quote

information from a source that is reworded or paraphrased by the writer of the research paper

capitalization and semicolons ;

sentences joined with a semicolon, capitalize the FIRST WORD in the FIRST CLAUSE. Do not capitalize the first word of other clauses (usually after the semicolon symbol ; )

Capitalization

writing in capital letters