Capitals | Page 2

of the cases of the words I and O, which
are capitalized for typographical reasons, this idea of calling special
attention to a word, or words, for one reason or another will be found to
be at the bottom of the variations in usage in different printing offices
and by different writers. The same tendency is observable here which is

so evident in style and in punctuation. Direct statements, simple
sentences as free from involution and complication as possible, are
more and more taking the place of the involved, complicated, and
obscure sentences of old times. The ideal style of to-day consists of
simple words simply arranged. Such a style needs little pointing. The
reader is quite able to find his way through the paragraph without
constant direction. Punctuation marks are directions at the crossroads of
thought. Consequently the punctuation mark is now much more
sparingly used than formerly.
Just as we have found out that well chosen words can tell their story
with very few marks of interpretation so we have found out that they
can tell their story with very few marks of emphasis. The use of
capitals has decreased greatly during the last two centuries and is
constantly decreasing, and this tendency is likely to go still further. The
great DeVinne whose books on The Practice of Typography, written
ten to fifteen years ago, are still of the highest authority was thoroughly
up-to-date in his methods and was remarkable for the restrained and
refined good taste which characterized all his recommendations, but in
some points restraint in the use of capitals has gone even beyond his
precepts.
It is worth while to remember that the real implement of English speech
is the word, not the point nor the letter form. Just to the extent that we
rely on marks of punctuation and emphasis to convey our meaning we
betray our ignorance of the really significant elements of the language.
The schoolgirl says she "had a perfectly splendid time" at the dance,
when she tells about it in her letter to her dearest friend. If "perfectly
splendid" were a proper term to use in such a connection, which it is
not, the words themselves would carry all the emphasis possible.
Nothing could really be added to them by any typographical device. In
the same way the common use of profanity among ignorant people
probably arises mainly from a feeling that the ordinary words with
which they are familiar are colorless and do not express their thoughts
with sufficient emphasis.
Just as emphasis in style is difficult when one habitually uses the

strongest words and emphasis in voice is difficult when one habitually
shouts, so emphasis in print is difficult when one habitually uses large
capitals, display type, and italics. Loud printing is as objectionable as
loud talking.

USE OF FULL CAPITALS
General uses:
1. Use a capital letter to begin every sentence and every word or group
of words punctuated as a sentence.
Welcome! We are glad to see you.
This rule does not apply to literal reproductions of matter not originally
conforming to it.
2. Use a capital letter to begin every line of poetry.
The Lord hates a quitter, But he doesn't hate him, son, When the
quitter's quitting something He shouldn't have begun. [that
This rule does not apply to turned over lines like the third line in the
stanza just preceding.
3. Use a capital letter to begin every quotation consisting of a complete
sentence.
Ben Franklin says, "Honesty is the best policy." The campaign was "a
punitive expedition for the suppression of brigandage."
Capitalize:
1. Names of the Deity, of the members of the Trinity, of the Virgin
Mary, and of the Devil, when a personal devil is referred to.
When the word devil is used as a general term or as an expletive the

capital is not used.
2. Nouns and adjectives used to designate the Deity or any member of
the Trinity:
the Almighty, the Ruler of the Universe, the Supreme Architect of the
Universe, the Creator, Providence (personified), Heaven (personified, e.
g., Heaven forbid!), Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Spirit, Messiah, and the
like.
The following list of words of this sort to be capitalized, taken from Mr.
William Dana Orcutt's The Writer's Desk Book (Frederick A. Stokes,
New York) will be found useful:
Almighty Authorized Version Common Version Creator Deity Father
God Holy Bible Holy Spirit Holy Writ Jehovah Jesus Christ King
Logos Lord Messiah Passover Pentecost Redeemer Revised Version
Sabbath Saviour Scriptures Son of Man Son Spirit The Trinity The
Virgin Mary Word
Care needs to be taken with words of this class. Particular attention
should be paid to the wording of rule 2, just given. The same words in
other senses or other connections are not capitalized. Heaven and hell