Writing Lab CapitalizationNames Personal Names Capitalize personal names

Writing Lab Capitalization—Names

Personal Names • Capitalize personal names, nicknames, and epithets. • Examples: • Honest Abe • Michael “Air” Jordan • Ms. Smarty Pants

Relationships • Capitalize names of relationships which substitute for proper names. • Examples: • I remember how Dad used to take us shopping. • Uncle James • Do not capitalize names of relationships preceded by a possessive word. • Examples: • My mother • The father of my friend

Animals • Capitalize animals’ names if part or all of the name is derived from a proper noun. • Examples: • German shepherd • Clydesdale • Do not capitalize if the name is not derived from a proper name. • Examples: • pinto • blue jay

Personifications • Capitalize personifications • Examples: • Mother Nature • Father Time • Old Man Winter

Hyphens • Capitalize the first and second word in hyphenated proper names. • Examples: • Through the Looking-Glass • My So-Called Life • Do not capitalize the second word in hyphenated proper names if it is not as import as the first word. • Example: • “How to Apply Make-up”

That’s all, folks! • This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series • Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon • To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson