Random, Erroneous, and Inconsistent Capitalization
Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 3:36 pm
Hi Writers,
If I had to write a book about submissions from the last two weeks, it would be "Random, Erroneous, and Inconsistent Capitalization."
Please always proofread your articles and short summaries for such errors. Common nouns are not capitalized. Proper nouns are. Adjectives are not capitalized unless they are a part of a title or proper name. Example: The Blue Danube
Please do not use capitalization for emphasis or to draw attention to an uncommon term or phrase. We have punctuation or italics for such purposes. Someone can "go green." Someone can go "green." No one Goes Green or goes Green.
We have swine flu and the influenza virus, but not Swine flu or the Influenza virus. If you are writing about roses, daffodils, and pansies, please do not talk about roses, Daffodils, and pansies. You may love Aunt Martha, but aunts are still common, as are uncles, though Uncle Bob may be the most uncommon uncle you've ever had. Teenage students go to high school, but you may have gone to Boonies Junior High. Your business plan is not made more important as a result of it appearing capitalized, but Google is still a proper noun, even if you use this search engine every day. You may find Republicans or Democrats full of hot air, but you must still show respect by capitalizing the names of their parties.
If you're ever in doubt, please look it up!
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/592/01/
Thanks,
Ed
If I had to write a book about submissions from the last two weeks, it would be "Random, Erroneous, and Inconsistent Capitalization."
Please always proofread your articles and short summaries for such errors. Common nouns are not capitalized. Proper nouns are. Adjectives are not capitalized unless they are a part of a title or proper name. Example: The Blue Danube
Please do not use capitalization for emphasis or to draw attention to an uncommon term or phrase. We have punctuation or italics for such purposes. Someone can "go green." Someone can go "green." No one Goes Green or goes Green.
We have swine flu and the influenza virus, but not Swine flu or the Influenza virus. If you are writing about roses, daffodils, and pansies, please do not talk about roses, Daffodils, and pansies. You may love Aunt Martha, but aunts are still common, as are uncles, though Uncle Bob may be the most uncommon uncle you've ever had. Teenage students go to high school, but you may have gone to Boonies Junior High. Your business plan is not made more important as a result of it appearing capitalized, but Google is still a proper noun, even if you use this search engine every day. You may find Republicans or Democrats full of hot air, but you must still show respect by capitalizing the names of their parties.
If you're ever in doubt, please look it up!
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/592/01/
Thanks,
Ed