Capital letters are used to begin proper nouns, which are specific names of people, places, organizations, or titles.
Examples:
- John Smith
- Paris
- Microsoft Corporation
- President of the United States
2. Titles and Headings:
Capital letters are used to start the first letter of each significant word in titles, headings, and subtitles.
Examples:
- "The Lord of the Rings"
- "Chapter 1: The Fellowship of the Ring"
- "The History of Western Art"
3. First Words:
In formal writing, the first word of a sentence or paragraph is capitalized.
Example:
"Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom..."
4. Acronyms and Abbreviations:
Acronyms and abbreviations are typically written in all capital letters.
Examples:
- USA
- NATO
- ASAP
5. Emphasis:
Capitalization can be used to add emphasis to certain words or phrases.
Example:
"THIS IS IMPORTANT!"
6. Quotations and Dialogue:
When quoting or presenting dialogue, the first letter of the quoted material should be capitalized.
Example:
"She said, 'I'm going to the party.'"
7. Lists and Outlines:
The first letter of each item or point in a list or outline is usually capitalized.
Example:
- Apples
- Oranges
- Bananas
8. Names of Geographic Features:
The first letter of the proper names of geographic features, such as rivers, mountains, and deserts, is capitalized.
Examples:
- Mississippi River
- Mount Everest
- Sahara Desert
9. Historical Periods and Events:
Capital letters are used to start the names of historical periods and events.
Examples:
- The Renaissance
- World War II
10. Scientific Names:
The first letter of the genus and species names of plants and animals is capitalized in scientific writing.
Example:
- _Felis catus_ (domestic cat)