What is capitalized in English?

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• The word I .         EXAMPLE:      I am writing an essay for class tomorrow.

                                                           What I write about is my choice.​

                                                           The article I read yesterday has given me some ideas.

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• The first letter of the first word of a sentence.

If a quotation is a sentence within a larger sentence, capitalize the first letter of the first word, too.

              EXAMPLE:  Essay writing is not my favorite activity.

                                    Mr. Schrute asked, "Why isn't it? You write very well."

                                    "Thanks," I said, "but I don't enjoy it."

       

• Proper nouns.

A proper noun is the specific name of a specific person, place, or thing. 

             EXAMPLES: Jeff, Manuel, Ruth, Nancy, America, Mt. Vesuvius, South America, Lincoln Tunnel, Eiffel Tower.  

 

Included in proper nouns are the names of mountains, rivers, lakes, oceans, schools, countries, states, regions of the country, street names, and any specific names.

             

• Titles

 This refers to the titles of books, movies, magazines, newspapers, articles, songs, plays, works of art. If a, an, the, and, or prepositions are part of the title, only capitalize if it is the first word.

              EXAMPLES:  The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, Fast and Furious, The Incredibles, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Tom Brady Retires, A Raisin in the Sun, The Mona Lisa.

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