When to Capitalize
Here are the rules for when to capitalize terms.
Capitalize the first word in a sentence. CC_ID 06165
The first word in a sentence and the first word in tabulated items in the listing style.
Capitalize geographic names. CC_ID 06166
Examples:
Ohio River
Marion County
Hoosier National Forest
Capitalize the months and the weekdays. CC_ID 06167
Examples:
January
February
Monday
Tuesday
Capitalize street names, road names, park names, and building names. CC_ID 06168
Examples:
the White House
U.S. Route 50
Garfield Park
Capitalize the names of nationalities and languages. CC_ID 06169
Examples:
Spanish-speaking people
English language
Capitalize political parties and religious denominations. CC_ID 06170
Examples:
the Democratic party
the Republican party
the Methodist church
Capitalize an organization's name and institution's name. CC_ID 06171
Examples:
Associated Press
Indiana University
Indiana State Medical Association
Capitalize the names of any federal entity and international entity. CC_ID 06172
Always use the correct name of an entity, and do not use acronyms as abbreviations. Examples:
United States Department of the Interior
United States House of Representatives
United States Senate
Federal Bureau of Investigation
World Bank
United Nations
Capitalize titles of specific acts, laws, and other official document titles. CC_ID 06173
Examples:
Equal Rights Amendment
Internal Revenue Code; Social Security Act
the Constitution of the United States
the Constitution of the State of Indiana
Rules of Trial Procedure
Capitalize titles of honor and respect, if they precede the person's name. CC_ID 06174
Examples:
Governor Frank O'Bannon
State Senator Robert D. Garton
State Representative John Gregg
Senator Richard Lugar (but, senator of Indiana)
Queen Elizabeth (but, queen of England)
Capitalize titles of honor at the state level and national level, if a proper name is not used. CC_ID 06186
Capitalize “President” when referring to the President of a nation regardless of whether the name is included. Capitalize both words of “Vice-President” when referring to the Vice-President of a nation.
Capitalize holidays, religious days, and historic events. CC_ID 06175
Examples:
Fourth of July
Thanksgiving Day
Passover
Capitalize book titles, magazine names, newspaper names, and periodical names. CC_ID 06176
Examples:
the Indianapolis Star
the Indiana Register
Capitalize the second word of hyphenated titles. CC_ID 06177
Example:
Community-Board
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