Capitalizing Correctly
> Do capitalize a word when it...- Starts a sentence
- Names a specific person, place or thing (proper noun or adjective)
- Gives a person's title connected to that person's name
- Is a major word of a document title
- Is the pronoun I
Note: It's a pretty small list, isn't' it? So don't overcapitalize! Keep this simple rule in mind when you're trying to decide if you should capitalize a word:
When in doubt, leave it out!
> Do NOT capitalize...
- Major words of a book or article title within an APA reference list, except for the first word of the title and the first word after a colon (subtitle)
- the seasons of the year (spring, summer, winter, fall)
- general academic subjects (math, biology, ethics, systems)
- Exception: Languages (English, Spanish, etc.) are capitalized because they come from place names and so are proper nouns. Specific course names (Ethics for the Human Service Practitioner) are capitalized.
- Exception: Languages (English, Spanish, etc.) are capitalized because they come from place names and so are proper nouns. Specific course names (Ethics for the Human Service Practitioner) are capitalized.
- kinship terms (my mother, her father, his cousins)
- Exception: If you use these terms with a name or as a name alone, then they are capitalized: Aunt Mary, Cousin George
- Exception: If you use these terms with a name or as a name alone, then they are capitalized: Aunt Mary, Cousin George
- job titles used alone (Have you finished that report for the director?)
- Exception: The word president when referring to the president of the U.S. is generally capitalized: I understand the President is coming to Baltimore for a fund-raising event.