American English Capitalization - Page 1

1. You should capitalize important words in a title. This includes the first and last words in the title and al other words except articles, prepositions and conjunctions.

a. Art in China and Japan
b. National Parks in the West

2. You should capitalize proper nouns such as name of specific people, places, organizations, groups and events.

a. Abraham Lincoln
b. Los Angeles
c. Peoples' Republic of China
d. United States Military Academy

3. When you use proper nouns and adjectives in specialized meanings do not capitalize.

a. I enjoy french fries with my hamburger.
b. He wrote the name in india ink.

4. You should capitalize titles when you use them in front of a person's name. You do not capitalize them when you refer to the office rather than the person.

a. Premier Zhou Enlai served China for many years.
b. You should bow when you meet the queen.
c. Queen Elizabeth lived a great palace.