Writers of argumentative texts make many choices when writing, such as what position to take on an issue and how exactly to persuade readers to agree with their way of thinking. However, there are certain rules or conventions that writers should follow to ensure that their readers understand exactly what they are trying to say. These include conventions regarding capitalization and punctuation.
Capitalization Conventions
Capitalizing the first letter of a word can send an important signal to readers. A capital letter indicates that a new sentence has begun, or that the writer is referring to a specific person, place, or thing. Some conventions regarding capitalization are very straightforward, with no exceptions, such as capitalizing the first letter of a sentence. However, there are exceptions to several rules about capitalization. Examine this table to see the conventions, exceptions, and examples of each:
Capitalization Convention Example Exception Example
Capitalize the first word of a sentence. The dog is outside. n/a n/a
Capitalize proper nouns. My friend Mike is from Dallas, Texas. n/a n/a
Capitalize words in titles. My class is reading Wuthering Heights. Do not capitalize prepositions, articles, or conjunctions unless they are the first word in a title. Next, we will read Of Mice and Men.
Capitalize the first word in a quote. She said, “Let’s go for a walk.” Do not capitalize the first word of a partial quote. He claims he is “too busy” to spend time with us.
Capitalize time periods or events. Today we learned about the Age of Enlightenment. Do not capitalize centuries. It began during the eighteenth century.
Capitalize names of relatives when referring to someone specific. My Aunt Marie is coming to visit. Do not capitalize names of relatives that describe a relationship. What is your uncle’s name?
Capitalize titles that precede a specific name. We got the chance to meet Senator Greene. Do not capitalize titles that follow a name or that do not refer to a specific name. The governor will hold a press conference this afternoon.
Capitalize the first word following a colon if it begins a complete sentence. I am certain of one thing: We will never give up. Do not capitalize the first word following a colon if it does not begin a complete sentence. I am looking for three things at the store: apples, grapes, and celery. : Author type Parenthetical citation Narrative citation
One author
(Luna, 2020)
Luna (2020)
Two authors
(Salas & D’Agostino, 2020)
Salas and D’Agostino (2020)
Three or more authors
(Martin et al., 2020)
Martin et al. (2020)
Group author with abbreviation
First citation a
Subsequent citations
(National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2020)
(NIMH, 2020)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2020)
NIMH (2020)
Group author without abbreviation
(Stanford University, 2020)
Stanford University (2020)
1 answer
Here is a citation for the source you provided formatted in MyBib style:
Luna, [First Initial]. (2020). Writing conventions. [Publisher/Website Name]. URL (if applicable)
Make sure to include specific details such as the author's first initial, publisher or website name, and a URL if the information is from an online source. Adjust these placeholders accordingly to reflect accurate citation details.
