OST164 Text Editing Applications

1
OST164 Text Editing Applications

• Section 3 Capitalization
• Part I Paragraphs 301-317

2
Basic Rules 301

• Capitalize the first word of
• Every sentence.
• An expression used as a sentence.
• How come? So much for that.
• A quoted sentence.
• Mrs. Eckstein herself said, We surely have not
  heard the complete story.
• An independent question within a sentence.
• The principal asked, Who broke the window?

3
Basic Rules ( 301 contd)

• Capitalize the first word of
• Each item displayed in a list or outline.
• Here is a powerful problem-solving tool
• Become an effective leader.
• Improve your relations with others
• Cope with stressful situations on the job.
• Each line in a poem. Always follow the style of
  the poem, however.
• The salutation and complimentary closing of a
  letter.
• Dear Mrs. Pancetta Sincerely
  yours,

4
Proper Nouns 303

• Capitalize every proper noun, that is the
  official name of a particular person, place, or
  thing.
• Also capitalize the pronoun, I. Jerry and I are
  dancing.
• Prepositions (like of, for, and in) are not
  capitalized unless they have four or more letters
  (like with and from). The United States of
  America
• The articles a and an are not capitalized
  the article the is capitalized only under
  special circumstances. The article Love is a
  Treasure was great.
• Conjunctions (like and and or) are also not
  capitalized. My favorite article was School and
  You.
• However, follow the capitalization style used by
  the owner of the name.

5
Proper Nouns 304

• Capitalize adjectives derived from proper nouns.
• American (noun) American (adj.)
• Russian (noun) Russian (adj.)
• Hispanics (noun) Hispanic (adj.)
• Exceptions
• Congress congressional
• Senate senatorial
• Constitution constitutional

6
Proper Nouns 305

• Capitalize imaginative names and nicknames that
  designate particular persons, places or things.

the Founding Fathers Mother Nature Amber Alert
El Nino and La Nina the Middle Ages a Big Mac
a Good Samaritan the First Lady Ground Zero
the Queen Bee the Big Kahuna Big Brother
Mr. Nice Guy Smokey Bear Generation X
7
Common Nouns 307-308-309a

• Do not capitalize nouns used as general terms of
  classification.
• Capitalize the common noun only when it is used
  as part of a proper noun.
• the act The Clayton Antitrust Act
• a hotel Hotel California
• the doctor Doctor Ray
• the pastor Pastor Jonnson
• the professor Professor Anderson
• the river the Neuse River
• a boulevard Sunset Boulevard
• the Boston airport the Logan Airport (serving
  Boston)
• the street the Ninth Street

8
Special Rules 311 Personal Names

• Treat a persons name exactly as the person does.
  Respect individual preferences.
• In names containing the prefix O always
  capitalize the O and the letter following the
  apostrophe. OBrian
• Watch for differences in capitalization and
  spacing in names containing prefixes. d, da, de,
  della, l, la, van
• When a surname with an uncapitalized prefix
  stands alone, capitalized the prefix to prevent a
  misreading.
• Paul de Luca Mr. de Luca Is De Luca
  leaving?
• Charles de Gaulle served De Gaulle
  served

9
Special Rules 312-313 Titles With Personal Names

• Capitalize all official titles of honor and
  respect when they precede personal
  names. Yesderday, President Julia McLeod didnt
• Did Chairperson Dean say
• Do not capitalize such titles when the personal
  name that follows is in apposition and is set off
  by commas.
• Yesterday, the president, Julia
  McLeod, didnt
• Did the chairperson, Bob Knight, say
• Do not capitalize occupational titles preceding a
  name for example, author, surgeon, publisher.

10
Special Rules 313 Titles With Personal Names

• Retain the capitalization in the titles of
  high-ranking national, state, and international
  officials when they follow or replace a specific
  personal.
• National - The President, the Vice President,
  Secretary of State, Attorney General, the Speaker
  (of the House)
• State - Governor, Lieutenant Governor
• Foreign Dignitaries - Queen of England, the King,
  the Prime Minister
• International - the Pope, Secretary-General of
  the United States

11
Special Rules 313 Titles With Personal Names

• Always capitalize titles used in/on
• A personal name in an inside address.
• A complimentary closing.
• An envelope.
• A business card.

12
Special Rules 313 Titles With Personal Names

• Titles of local governmental officials and those
  of lesser federal and state officials are not
  usually capitalized when they follow or replace a
  personal name.
• The mayor promised only last fall to hold the
  city sales tax at its present level.
• Francis Fahey, mayor of Coventry, Rhode Island,
  appeared before a House committee today.
• I saw Mayor Jones yesterday here on campus.
• However, these titles are sometimes capitalized
  in writing intended for a limited readership.

13
Special Rules 317

• Do not capitalize late, former, ex-, -elect,
  acting, or designate when used in titles.
• The late President Truman
• former President Carter
• Mayor-elect Ellen Kourmadas
• acting Superintendent Alex Beaudette
• Chairman-designate Fenton Fogg