Capitalization 101
On this edition of “Writing Rules,” we’re highlighting some of the key rules to remember when it comes to capitalization:
Capitalize proper nouns
- Ex: Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge never gets old.
Capitalize titles preceding names, but not titles that follow names
**This is an important one to remember when writing quotes in press releases!
- Head Chef Michael Tusk of Quince in Jackson Square has won many awards.
- Michael Tusk, the head chef of Quince, has won many awards.
- This Op-Ed about 20th-century board game design was written by Professor Edgar Plum.
- “We still haven’t found the murder weapon,” said Edgar Plum, a professor at Clue University.
- The leading suspect of this case is Colonel Jack Mustard.
- “I didn’t do it; it was Miss Scarlet,” insisted Jack Mustard, a colonel in the U.S. Army.
Capitalize days of the week, months of the year, holidays (but not seasons generally — see last example)
- Ex: In July, Karl the Fog is always in full force.
- Ex: I plan to dress up in a crazy costume and run Bay to Breakers this year.
- Ex: If you’re planning a summer getaway to San Francisco, bring a warm jacket.
Capitalize the first word in a sentence that is a direct, complete quote
- Ex: Mark Twain once said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”
- Ex: Madeleine said she was “very excited” to go to the creative writing class with me in the Richmond.
Capitalize national, political, and athletic groups
- Ex: You could say I’m a Golden State Warriors fan.
Capitalize periods and events (but not century names)
- The California Gold Rush began in 1848.
- The biggest San Francisco earthquake of the twentieth century was the one that happened in 1906.
Capitalize trademarks
- Ex: The Google ad “Loretta” made everyone in the San Francisco office cry.
Capitalize words like mom and grandpa when they are used as a form of address
- Ex: Just wait until Mom comes to visit!
- Ex: My grandpa is going to dislike all of the hills in this city.
When writing this post, we referenced the Purdue Owl. Read more about capitalization here.
