CAPITALIZATION

In newswriting, capitalization is correct in the following cases, examples and exceptions:

The first word of a sentence Example: Good grammar is essential.

Titles and ranks (rates) followed by a proper noun, but lowercase titles standing alone or following a name

Example: Secretary of State C. R. Dryden, but

C. R. Dryden, secretary of state.

Exception: The President of the United States is always capitalized.

Pope and the titles of foreign religious leaders, when used as a formal title before a name, but lowercase when titles stand alone or follow names

Exception: Dalai Lama is capitalized in all usages, since that title is used instead of the name of the person holding that office.

Months and days, but not seasons

Example: Last summer our vacation began on the first Thursday in August.

All holidays, historic dates, religious holidays, special events, military exercises, hurricanes and typhoons

Examples: Christmas, Father's Day, Washington's Birthday, National Safety Week, Operation Desert Storm, Typhoon Gay, Hurricane Andrew.

All proper nouns or names

Examples: Marty Martin, Bangkok, Hudson River.

All names of countries and their languages, unions, republics and colonies

Examples: He learned to speak French in France. India is a former British colony. Other examples are Union of South Africa and Republic of Korea.

Specific regions

Examples: Middle East, Midwest, Southern California, Panhandle, Arctic Circle, but lowercase antarctic or arctic in reference (arctic wind).

Appellations

Examples: Buckeye State, Leatherneck Project Apollo.

All decorations and awards

Examples: He was awarded the Medal of Honor. His father received the Nobel Peace Prize. She was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for professional achievement.

All nouns referring to the deity of all monotheistic religions

Examples: God the Father, Holy Ghost. Also capitalize Satan and Hades, but not devil or hell. Lowercase gods and goddesses in reference to the deities of polytheistic religions.

Names of races

Examples: Indian, Chinese, Caucasian. Lowercase yellow, white, black (Identification by race should be made only when it is pertinent.)

The first letter of each word, except articles, conjunctions and short prepositions that are not the first word, in titles of books, plays, hymns, poems and songs

Examples: "All the Ships at Sea," "Damn Yankies," "O' Come All Ye Faithful."

U.S. government and state government agencies, branches, committees and departments when the full name is used

Examples: Federal Communications Commission Interstate Commerce Commission. In addition, always capitalize U.S. Congress and U.S. or state Senate, House, and Legislature when referring to a specific body.

Examples: the Florida Senate, the Texas Legislature and the Senate, when clear reference is made; the word government, when used alone or with an adjective, is lowercase. Example: She works for the government.

Ideological or political areas

Example: East-West relations are at a stalemate. Use lowercase when referring to direction. Example: Some say the western part of Florida has nicer beaches than the eastern part.

Names of organizations, expositions, and so forth

Example: The Boy Scouts will visit the World's Fair. Lowercase "scout" and "fair" when they are standing alone.