L E S S O N

1 Capitalization

LESSON SUMMARY
Today, you’ll learn about the fine points of capitalization. This chapter
divides capitalization rules into two kinds: general rules governing cap-
italization and specific rules regarding proper nouns and adjectives.

S tart by seeing just how much you already know about the proper use of capital letters. On the next
page, you see the same passage written twice. The first column, called Problem, contains no cap-
italization at all—definitely a problem in writing! Circle those letters you think should be capital-
ized in the Problem column, and then check yourself against the Solution column.

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Problem Solution
when I first saw the black hills on january 2, 1995, i was When I first saw the Black Hills on January 2, 1995, I
shocked by their beauty. we had just spent new year’s was shocked by their beauty. We had just spent New
day in sioux falls, south dakota, and had headed west Year’s Day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and had
toward our home in denver, colorado. as we traveled headed west toward our home in Denver, Colorado. As
along interstate 90, i could see the black hills rising we traveled along Interstate 90, I could see the Black
slightly in the distance. after driving through the bad- Hills rising slightly in the distance. After driving through
lands and stopping at wall drug in wall, south dakota, the Badlands and stopping at Wall Drug in Wall, South
the evergreen-covered hills broke the barren monot- Dakota, the evergreen-covered hills broke the barren
ony of the landscape. my oldest daughter said, “dad, monotony of the landscape. My oldest daughter said,
look! there’s something that’s not all white.” we saw “Dad, look! There’s something that’s not all white.” We
mount rushmore and custer state park, the home of saw Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park, the
the largest herd of buffalo in north america. we also home of the largest herd of buffalo in North America.
drove the treacherous spearfish canyon road. fortu- We also drove the treacherous Spearfish Canyon
nately, our jeep cherokee had no trouble with the ice Road. Fortunately, our Jeep Cherokee had no trouble
and snow on the winding road. we were unable to see with the ice and snow on the winding road. We were
needles national park because the needles highway unable to see Needles National Park because the
was snowed shut. winter may not be the best time Needles Highway was snowed shut. Winter may not
to see these sights, but we enjoyed them nonetheless. be the best time to see these sights, but we enjoyed
them nonetheless.

How did you do? As you progress through the lesson, try to identify the specific rules that you missed.

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 General Capitalization Rules

This table summarizes general capitalization rules. Rules relating to specific categories of proper nouns are
addressed in the next section.

CAPITALIZATION RULES

RULE EXAMPLE

Capitalize the first word of a sentence. If the This is the first word of the sentence.
first word is a number, write it as a word. Three of us worked the early shift.

Capitalize the pronoun I or the contraction The group left when I asked them to go.
I’m, and the abbreviations B . C . or A . D . The manuscript was dated 501 A . D .

Capitalize the first word of a quotation. I said, “What’s the name of your dog?”
Do not capitalize the first word of a He called me “the worst excuse for a student”
partial quotation. he had ever seen.

Here is an example of a dialogue that illustrates Practice

these rules. (A note about paragraphing in dialogue: Check your ability to apply these rules in the following
Each time a speaker finishes, begin a new paragraph.) practice questions. Choose the correctly capitalized
option from each of the sets below. Answers to each set
“Good afternoon,” said the personal trainer as I of questions can be found at the end of the lesson.
walked into the gym.
“Good afternoon!” I replied, excited to get started. 1. a. the movie terrified me at first. after a few min-
“You must be Ms. Milner. I’m Jennifer Burnett. utes, i began to calm down.
It’s very nice to meet you.” b. The movie terrified me at first. after a few
“Tell me about your current workout routine, minutes, I began to calm down.
Jennifer. I’m eager to put together a brand-new c. The movie terrified me at first. After a few
exercise program for you.” minutes, I began to calm down.
I smiled and said, “It’s so nice to be working with
you. I heard you were a ‘true fitness guru’.” 2. a. “what are you doing?” my supervisor asked.
“trying to finish the memo I’ve been writing,”
i replied.
b. “What are you doing?” my supervisor asked.
“Trying to finish the memo I’ve been writing,”
I replied.
c. “What are you doing?” My supervisor asked.
“Trying to finish the memo I’ve been writing,”
I replied.

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3. a. we saw pottery made in 1550 a.d.  Proper Nouns and Proper

b. We saw pottery made in 1550 a.d. Adjectives
c. We saw pottery made in 1550 a.d.
All proper nouns and proper adjectives—ones that
4. a. After the game is over, I want to watch the name a specific person, place, or thing—must be cap-
interviews with the players. italized, but remembering which nouns and adjectives
b. after the game is over, I want to watch the are proper can be difficult. The tables that follow lay out
interviews with the players. the most common categories of proper nouns and
c. After the game is over, i want to watch the adjectives. Each section begins with a table that illus-
interviews with the players. trates 5–7 related rules, followed by several practice
exercises.

PROPER NOUNS, PART ONE

CATEGORY OF PROPER NOUNS EXAMPLES

days of the week Friday, Saturday

months January, February

holidays Christmas, Halloween

historical events, periods, documents Civil War (historical event), Dark Ages (historical
period), Declaration of Independence (document)

special events, calendar events Pebble Beach Fall Classic, Renaissance Festival,
Green River Days (special events); Labor Day,
Father’s Day (calendar events)

names of people and places John Doe, Lincoln Center, Sears Tower

Practice 7. a. We studied the declaration of independence in

Using these rules, choose the correctly capitalized ver- History class.
sion of each of the following pairs. b. We studied the Declaration of Independence
in history class.
5. a. Chaucer was one of the foremost poets from
the Middle ages. 8. a. Judy has two Uncles who fought in world
b. Chaucer was one of the foremost poets from war II.
the Middle Ages. b. Judy has two uncles who fought in World
War II.
6. a. The Martins will begin their summer with a
weeklong Memorial Day celebration at a beau-
tiful lakeside hotel.
b. The Martins will begin their summer with a
weeklong Memorial day celebration at a beau-
tiful Lakeside hotel.

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PROPER NOUNS, PART TWO

CATEGORY OF PROPER NOUNS EXAMPLES

names of structures and buildings Washington Memorial, Empire State Building

names of trains, ships, aircraft, and other Queen Elizabeth, Discovery, Sioux Lines,
modes of transportation TransWorld Airlines

names of products Corn King hams, Dodge Intrepid

names of officials Mayor Daley, President Clinton

works of art and literature Black Elk Speaks (book), “Mending Wall” (poem),
Mona Lisa (painting)

ethnic groups, races, languages, nationalities Asian American, Caucasian, French, Indian

Practice 12. a. Paul has an editing job with Meredith

Choose the correctly capitalized version of each of the Publishing.
following pairs. b. Paul has an Editing job with Meredith
Publishing.
9. a. My book group selected the known world by
Edward P. Jones. 13. a. The University of Michigan has an excellent
b. My book group selected The Known World by Business School.
Edward P. Jones. b. The university of Michigan has an excellent
business school.
10. a. We caught a Vanguard Airlines flight to
Orlando. 14. a. Dr. Gallagher researched her book at the
b. We caught a Vanguard airlines flight to Library of Congress.
Orlando. b. Dr. Gallagher researched her book at the
Library of congress.
11. a. The Talmud is a guide to the teachings of
judaism.
b. The Talmud is a guide to the teachings of
Judaism.

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PROPER NOUNS, PART THREE

CATEGORY OF PROPER NOUNS EXAMPLES

cities, states, and governmental units Des Moines, Iowa; Barrow, Alaska; Republic of
South Africa

streets, highways, and roads Grand Avenue, Interstate 29, Deadwood Road

landmarks and geographical locations Continental Divide, Grand Canyon

public areas and bodies of water Superior Forest, Missouri River

institutions, organizations, and businesses Dartmouth College, Lions Club, Dodge Trucks

Practice Proper Adjectives

Choose the correctly capitalized version of each of the Proper adjectives are adjectives—that is, words that
following pairs. modify nouns—formed from a proper noun, often the
name of a place. For instance, the proper noun Canada
15. a. Both English and French are spoken in becomes the proper adjective Canadian when it mod-
Montreal. ifies another noun, as in Canadian bacon. Note that the
b. Both english and french are spoken in noun is not capitalized unless it is a proper noun in its
Montreal. own right.

16. a. Near a body of water called firth and forth, Examples:

you can see Edinburgh, Scotland. English muffin, Polish sausage, Japanese yen
b. Near a body of water called Firth and Forth,
you can see Edinburgh, Scotland. Practice
Choose the correctly capitalized version of each of the
17. a. There is an incredible view of the Pacific ocean following pairs.
from Big Sur, California.
b. There is an incredible view of the Pacific 20. a. Some residents of ireland still speak the Gaelic
Ocean from Big Sur, California. Language.
b. Some residents of Ireland still speak the Gaelic
18. a. Mount Everest, which is in the middle of the language.
Himalayan Range, is the highest mountain in
the world. 21. a. Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist, painted many
b. Mount Everest, which is in the middle of the self-portraits.
Himalayan Range, is the highest mountain in b. Frida Kahlo, a mexican artist, painted many
the World. self-portraits.

19. a. I have traveled on the Garden state Parkway, a 22. a. The actress in the play tried to speak with a
main highway in New Jersey. Scottish accent.
b. I have traveled on the Garden State Parkway, a b. The Actress in the play tried to speak with a
main highway in New Jersey. Scottish accent.

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23. a. I will never attempt to swim the English ■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing school subjects.
channel. They should be capitalized only if they are part of
b. I will never attempt to swim the English the name of a specific course.
Channel. Examples:
I try to avoid math courses because I’m not very
24. a. The new Ethiopian Restaurant was getting good at them.
rave reviews. Betsy is taking Algebra II and Trigonometry I
b. The new Ethiopian restaurant was getting rave next semester.
reviews. ■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing words modified
by proper adjectives.
Examples:
 When NOT to Capitalize Polish sausage, not Polish Sausage
Mexican restaurant, not Mexican Restaurant
Putting in capital letters where they don’t belong is as
bad as leaving them out where they do belong. Watch Practice
for these capitalization traps. Choose the correctly capitalized version of each of the
following pairs.
■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing compass direc-
tions; however, direction words that refer to a spe- 25. a. Digging the Canal through Panama took
cific area of the country should be capitalized. many years.
Examples: b. Digging the canal through Panama took many
We headed west after the Depression. years.
The future of the country was cultivated in the
West. 26. a. The Smoky Mountains are in the Southeastern
■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing the words refer- part of the country.
ring to family members. Capitalize them only b. The Smoky Mountains are in the southeastern
when they are used as names. If a possessive pro- part of the country.
noun (my, our, your, his, her, their) comes before
the word referring to a family member, the family 27. a. Nicholi Milani does more business in the East
word is not capitalized. than in the West.
Examples: b. Nicholi Milani does more business in the east
When Uncle Harry visited last winter, none of my than in the west.
other uncles came to see him.
After my mother called me for lunch, Father 28. a. The Southeast was affected by many bad
served the entree. storms last year.
■ Avoid unnecessarily capitalizing the seasons of the b. The southeast was affected by many bad
year or parts of the academic year. storms last year.
Example:
If the university offers History of Education 405 29. a. Marianne had never been as far East as
in the spring semester, Horace can graduate Columbus, Ohio.
in May. b. Marianne had never been as far east as
Columbus, Ohio.

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 Answers

1. c. 16. b.
2. b. 17. b.
3. c. 18. a.
4. a. 19. b.
5. b. 20. b.
6. a. 21. a.
7. b. 22. a.
8. b. 23. b.
9. b. 24. b.
10. a. 25. b.
11. b. 26. b.
12. a. 27. a.
13. b. 28. a.
14. a. 29. b.
15. a.

Skill Building until Next Time

Find the obituaries in your local newspaper. Examine the capitalization used in the writing. How many of
the rules you learned today can you find represented in a single obituary notice?

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 L E S S O N
Periods,

2 Question Marks,
and Exclamation
Points
LESSON SUMMARY
This lesson shows you which punctuation marks to use to end sen-
tences. These are sometimes referred to as “endmarks.” It also shows
you other ways in which periods are used.

T he exercise that follows reviews Lesson 1, Capitalization, and gives you an opportunity to see what you
already know about periods and endmarks. Correct the capitalization in the Problem column on the
next page, adding periods, question marks, and exclamation points where you think they should go.
Check yourself with the Solution column as you go.

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Problem Solution
William Reese had not been inside Oak Hill high school William Reese had not been inside Oak Hill High
for five years when he graduated, William left harris- School for five years. When he graduated, William left
burg, Pennsylvania to attend the university of Wis- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to attend the University of
consin He was looking forward to seeing his old Wisconsin. He was looking forward to seeing his old
Teachers, and he was sure they would be surprised teachers, and he was sure they would be surprised
about how successful he had become about how successful he had become.
william was not a model high school student In William was not a model high school student. In
fact, he was awful his guidance counselor, Ms Lewis, fact, he was awful! His guidance counselor, Ms. Lewis,
always told him that she couldn’t understand how always told him that she couldn’t understand how
someone as bright as he was could get such poor someone as bright as he was could get such poor
grades William came very close to failing at least three grades. William came very close to failing at least
of his subjects every marking period he especially three of his subjects every marking period. He espe-
disliked math and science cially disliked math and science.
After school on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and After school on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and
fridays, William would get into his old Honda civic Fridays, William would get into his old Honda Civic and
and drive to Cedar street, where he worked the after- drive to Cedar Street, where he worked the afternoon
noon shift at Milton’s bookstore This was his favorite shift at Milton’s Bookstore. This was his favorite place
place to be he loved being surrounded by books, and to be. He loved being surrounded by books, and when
when he wasn’t helping customers, he would sit he wasn’t helping customers, he would sit behind the
behind the counter and read as much as he could Dur- counter and read as much as he could. During these
ing these afternoon shifts, William read some books afternoon shifts, William read some books that
that changed his life one of his favorites was on the changed his life. One of his favorites was On the Road
Road by Jack Kerouac his reading inspired him to by Jack Kerouac. His reading inspired him to keep a
keep a Journal, which he wrote in every day journal, which he wrote in every day.
When it was time to consider college william When it was time to consider college, William
spent many hours with Ms Lewis thinking about his spent many hours with Ms. Lewis thinking about his
future After reading his journals, Ms Lewis suggested future. After reading his journals, Ms. Lewis suggested
that perhaps William would be happiest at a College that perhaps William would be happiest at a college
where he could study creative writing The rest is history where he could study creative writing. The rest is history!
William was one of the Top Students in the cre- William was one of the top students in the Cre-
ative writing Program at the University of Wisconsin ative Writing Program at the University of Wisconsin.
during his Junior Year, one of his essays was accepted During his junior year, one of his essays was accepted
for publication in a National magazine, and soon after for publication in a national magazine, and soon after
that, William received a call from an editor at Bound that, William received a call from an editor at Bound
brook publishing who wanted to publish a collection Brook Publishing who wanted to publish a collection
of William’s short stories as soon as the book was of William’s short stories. As soon as the book was
published William sent a copy to Ms Lewis thanking published, William sent a copy to Ms. Lewis thanking
her for her support and advice her for her support and advice.
Now he was on his way back to visit Ms Lewis Now he was on his way back to visit Ms. Lewis
and his other teachers, who were probably all asking and his other teachers, who were probably all asking
the same question Can this be the same William the same question. Can this be the same William
Reese Reese?

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 Rules for Using Periods ■ Use a period at the end of a sentence that asks an
indirect question.
■ Use a period after an initial and after every part of Examples:
an abbreviation, unless the abbreviation has My neighbor asked if we had seen his cat. (The
become an acronym—an abbreviation that is pro- direct question was, “Have you seen my cat?”)
nounced as a word, such as AIDS—or a widely Quentin wanted to know how we had arrived at
recognized name (TV, FBI, NATO, NASA). that answer. (The direct question was, “How
Titles—Mr., Ms., Dr., and so on—are also abbre- did you arrive at that answer?”)
viations that use periods. If the abbreviation
comes at the end of a sentence, only one period is Practice
needed. Choose the correctly written version from each of the
Examples: following sets of sentences. You will find the answers to
The tour leaves on Mon., Jan. 1, at 3 p.m. each set of questions at the end of the lesson.
The book was written by C.S. Lewis.
A.J. Mandelli researched brain function for 1. a. The train passed through Rockford, Ill., on its
the FBI. way to St. Joseph, Mo.
■ Use a period before a decimal and between dollars b. The train passed through Rockford, Ill, on its
and cents. way to St Joseph, Mo.
Examples: c. The train passed through Rockford, Ill, on its
A gallon equals 3.875 liters. way to St. Joseph, Mo.
The new textbook costs $54.75.
Only 5.6 percent of our consumers spend over 2. a. Ms Cory Ames, Dr Matthew Olson, and H.J.
$100.00 per month on our products. Lane went to Chicago, Ill..
■ Use a period at the end of a sentence that makes a b. Ms Cory Ames, Dr Matthew Olson, and HJ
statement. Lane went to Chicago, Ill.
Examples: c. Ms. Cory Ames, Dr. Matthew Olson, and H.J.
Henry Kissinger served under two U.S. presidents. Lane went to Chicago, Ill.
Wilson will lecture in the forum after school
today. 3. a. The bedrooms measured 12 ft. by 14 ft.
Many consider P.T. Barnum the best salesman b. The bedrooms measured 12 ft by 14 ft.
ever to have walked the Earth. c. The bedrooms measured 12 ft. by 14 ft..
■ Use a period at the end of a sentence that makes a
request, gives an instruction, or states a command. 4. a. Bob asked if the price of the CD was $13.98?
Examples: b. Bob asked if the price of the CD was $13.98.
Empty the kitchen trash before you take the c. Bob asked if the price of the CD was $1398¢.
garbage out.
Turn right at the first stop light, and then go to the 5. a. Tie your shoe. Before you trip and break a leg.
second house on the left. b. Tie your shoe before you trip and break a leg.
c. Tie your shoe before you trip and break a leg

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 – PERIODS, QUESTION MARKS, AND EXCLAMATION POINTS –

6. a. Mr and Mrs Fletcher visited ten cities in ■ Use an exclamation point after an interjection—a
20 days. word or phrase expressing strong feeling—when it
b. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher visited ten cities in is written as a single sentence.
20 days. Examples:
c. Mr and Mrs. Fletcher visited ten cities in Doggone it!
20 days. Yikes!
■ Use an exclamation point after a sentence that
7. a. Mayor and Mrs. Dorian will address the city begins with a question word but doesn’t ask a
council at 8:00 pm question.
b. Mayor and Mrs Dorian will address the city Examples:
council at 8:00 p.m. What a dunce I am!
c. Mayor and Mrs. Dorian will address the city How marvelous of you to come!
council at 8:00 p.m.
Practice
8. a. Oh, all right. Tell me your riddle. Choose the correctly written version of each of the fol-
b. Oh. all right. Tell me your riddle. lowing sets of sentences.
c. Oh, all right Tell me your riddle.
9. a. Help! I’m falling?
b. Help! I’m falling.
 Rules for Using Question c. Help! I’m falling!
Marks and Exclamation Points
10. a. I can’t believe how naive I was!
■ Use a question mark after a word or group of b. I can’t believe how naive I was.
words that asks a question, even if it is not a com- c. I can’t believe how naive I was?
plete sentence.
Examples: 11. a. The auditor asked me why I didn’t save the
What did you do last night? receipts?
Will you put out the trash? b. The auditor asked me why I didn’t save the
Okay? receipts.
May we go to the movies after we’ve finished our c. The auditor asked me why I didn’t save the
homework? receipts!
Are we?
■ Use an exclamation point after a sentence that 12. a. Can you tell me the seating capacity of this
expresses strong feeling. meeting room.
Examples: b. Can you tell me the seating capacity of this
Look out for that car! meeting room?
I just can’t stand the smell in here! c. Can you tell me the seating capacity of this
meeting room!
A word of caution about using exclamation
points to show strong feeling: Exclamation points are 13. a. How utterly disgusting this movie is.
a little bit like salt on food. Most people like a little bit. b. How utterly disgusting this movie is?
Nobody likes too much. c. How utterly disgusting this movie is!

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14. a. Was Alexander the Great born in 350 b.c.  Answers

b. Was Alexander the great born in 350 b.c.?
c. Was Alexander the Great born in 350 b.c.? 1. a.
2. c.
15. a. Our group will meet at the library at 10:00 3. a.
p.m. to research T.S. Eliot. 4. b.
b. Our group will meet at the library at 10:00 pm 5. b.
to research T.S. Eliot. 6. b.
c. Our group will meet at the library at 10:00 p.m. 7. c.
to research TS. Eliot. 8. a.
9. c.
16. a. Is this sweater $59.95 or $69.95? 10. a.
b. Is this sweater $59.95 or $69.95. 11. b.
c. Is this sweater $5995 or $6995! 12. b.
13. c.
17. a. Wow. What a close call that was? 14. c.
b. Wow! What a close call that was. 15. a.
c. Wow! What a close call that was! 16. a.
17. c.
18. a. Those carpenters. Do you know how much 18. c.
they charged?
b. Those carpenters? Do you know how much
they charged?
c. Those carpenters! Do you know how much
they charged?

Skill Building until Next Time

Take a few minutes to practice what you have learned today. If you are reading a book right now, look
through a few of the pages until you find at least three examples of each type of endmark you learned about
today. Are the endmarks used according to the rules you used today? If you’re not currently reading a book,
just grab one from the shelf at home or at work.

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