Using Capital Letters

When Do We Use Capital Letters?

In writing, a capital letter (also called an uppercase letter) is like a "bright light." It tells the reader that a word is extra important or that a new idea is starting.

1. The Beginning of a Sentence Every single time you start a new sentence, the first letter of the first word must be a capital.

• No: the sun is hot.
• Yes: The sun is hot.

2. The Word "I" The word I is very special. Whether it is at the start, middle, or end of a sentence, it is always capitalized when you are talking about yourself.

• No: My friend and i played tag.
• Yes: My friend and I played tag.

3. Names of People and Pets Specific names (Proper Nouns) always get a capital letter because they belong to a specific person or animal.

• No: my dog buddy and my friend sam.
• Yes: My dog Buddy and my friend Sam.

4. Names of Places This includes cities, states, countries, and even the names of your school or a local park.

• No: we went to paris.
• Yes: We went to Paris.
• No: I go to Lincoln Elementary School.
• Yes: I go to Lincoln Elementary School.

5. Days, Months, and Holidays The names of days and months are always important enough for a capital letter. (Note: Seasons like summer or winter usually do not need them!)

• Days: Monday, Tuesday, Saturday.
• Months: January, May, October.
• Holidays: Christmas, Eid, Halloween.

The M.I.N.T.S. Trick To remember when to use a capital, think of the word MINTS:

• M – Months and Days
• I – The word "I"
• N – Names of people and places
• T – Titles of books or movies (like Finding Nemo)
• S – Start of a sentence

Why Do We Learn This?

• Reading Help: Capital letters help our eyes see where one thought ends and a new one begins.
• Respect: Using a capital for someone's name shows that their name is important.
• Clarity: It helps us tell the difference between a common thing (a turkey the bird) and a proper place (Turkey the country).

Lesson Summary

• Capitalize the first word in every sentence.
• Capitalize names, places, days, and months.
• Always capitalize the word "I".