Capitals 1

For starting sentences, proper names and I

Capitalisation is used in general to emphasise important things, but must not be over used. At the most basic level every sentence starts with a capital letter, and names of people, geographical locations, days and months must start with a capital. The word I is always a capital.

After reading the initial study, even Simon found the argument unconvincing.

I have only been to Paris once, and I loved it.

Names of organisations start with capitals

Organisation names are like proper nouns holding the same status as the names of people and places.

The World Health Organisation is based in Zurich and is a member of the United Nations Development Group.

Names of events (including historical events)

Events often start with capitals, such as the Cold War, the Norman Conquest, the Big Day Out.

Non-specific events, such as the opening of the duck shooting season in New Zealand would not be capitalised, but the Kawhia Kai Festival would be (even though the former attracts more participants)!

France was the country most affected by the horrors of World War I

New Zealand has twice made the play-off stage at the soccer World Cup

Brand names

From the original Budweiser clydesdale commercial on Youtube: "♫ Just say Budweiser, ♪ you've said it all ♭♩"

Documents and acts of parliament and legislation

If you are writing about New Zealand's Resource Management Act, the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, or the Privacy Act, you will notice that they are capitalised, but not the small non-content in-between words like the, and or in. If in doubt, capitalise all the words.

The Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act which comes into force this Friday.