CAPITALIZation: the first word
1. Always capitalize the first word of a sentence.
EXAMPLES:
Grandpa drove his vintage car to a show.
Who ate my French fries?
2. Capitalize the first word of an interjection set off by an exclamation point.
EXAMPLES: Awesome! Wow!
3. Capitalize the first word of an incomplete question.
EXAMPLES: Who? What? Why? How?
4. Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it begins a sentence. Do not capitalize the expression if it is a list or phrase.
EXAMPLES:
Most of the Founding Fathers were Protestants: They were primarily Anglicans, Presbyterians, or Congregationalists. [Complete sentence]
When we go camping, please bring these items: a tent, a sleeping bag, and your own pillow. [Not a complete sentence]
5. Traditional poems tend to capitalize the first letter of each line of poetry; however, poets may deviate from that practice.
Traditional capitalization can be found in "Blow, blow, thou winter wind" while "Drum Dream Girl" deviates from that pattern.
6. When you write a letter, follow these 2 capitalization rules:
EXAMPLES:
Grandpa drove his vintage car to a show.
Who ate my French fries?
2. Capitalize the first word of an interjection set off by an exclamation point.
EXAMPLES: Awesome! Wow!
3. Capitalize the first word of an incomplete question.
EXAMPLES: Who? What? Why? How?
4. Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it begins a sentence. Do not capitalize the expression if it is a list or phrase.
EXAMPLES:
Most of the Founding Fathers were Protestants: They were primarily Anglicans, Presbyterians, or Congregationalists. [Complete sentence]
When we go camping, please bring these items: a tent, a sleeping bag, and your own pillow. [Not a complete sentence]
5. Traditional poems tend to capitalize the first letter of each line of poetry; however, poets may deviate from that practice.
Traditional capitalization can be found in "Blow, blow, thou winter wind" while "Drum Dream Girl" deviates from that pattern.
6. When you write a letter, follow these 2 capitalization rules:
- Capitalize the first word in the salutation.
- Dear Ms. Gates:
- Dear valued customers:
- Capitalize the first word in the closing.
- Best regards,
- Sincerely yours,