Using Apostrophes, Capitalization & Commas in Article Writing

Apostrophe’s

Abbreviations in titles that have periods in the abbreviation and at the end usually require an apostrophe and an “s”. For example the abbreviated titles of IBM or Mt, should be written as “IBMs” or Mts.”

Nouns and pronouns that do not end in an “s”,should have an apostrophe.
As an example: A woman’s blouse was left on the chair.

Use an apostrophe and an “s” or an apostrophe alone with singular nouns that end in an s,sh,or
z sound.
Example: Poe’s writings or Poes’ writings

Use an apostrophe alone on plural nouns that end in the “s” or “z” sound.
Example: the authors’ byline

For compound sentence construction an apostrophe and an “s” should be used.

Example: the Queen of Sheba’s daughter

In showing individual ownership, an apostrophe and an “s” should be used.

Example: Peter’s, Paul’s and Mary’s guitars

When showing ownership of equal value, add an apostrophe and an “s” on the last noun alone or on both nouns.

Example: Peter’s,Paul’s and Mary’s songs or Peters, Pauls and Mary’s songs

When letters or numbers are omitted use an apostrophe.

Examples: can’t ( the apostrophe replaces the letters “n” and “o”.)

Con’t- ( the apostrophe replaces the letters”inued”.)

1982,’ 83, ‘ 84.( Here the apostrophe replaces the number”19″.)

Forms of verbs made up of abbreviations also take an apostrophe to show omitted letters.

Example : ” Ok’d ” rather than okayed.

You would normally use an apostrophe and an “s” in certain phrases.

Example: Dot your ” i’s” and cross your ” t’s”.

Capitalization Rules

Always capitalize the following:

The first word in every sentence.

“I”, whether it is in a sentence or at the beginning.

The first word in written conversations.

Nouns referring to the bible, the deity or other sacred books. Pronouns are also sometimes
capitalized.

Names of gods or goddesses, such as, as Thor or Zeus.

The words President or Presidency when it is referring to the President of the United States.

Any person’s official title, such as Mayor Brown, or Governor Deane.

A rank or title that is followed by a proper name , such as Sargeant York or Corporal Smith.

Proper nouns such as Catholic or Presbyterian.

Adjectives that are formed from proper nouns such as Catholicism.

Words in family names that are followed by a person’s name such as: Grandpa Henry, or
Grandma Smith.

Nationalities,languages and terms for races, such as English, Caucasian, and Latino.(colors of
races are not capitalized)

Names of groups, institutions, agencies, businesses, holidays.

Geographical terms that are part of a proper name, such as, Sevier Desert or Great Salt Lake
Desert.

However the geographical term that is used with more than one name in the same sentence is
not capitalized in both names.
Example: Sevier and the Great Salt Lake deserts.
In the above case “deserts’ is a simple geographical term.

The first and last words in an article title.

Prepositions in book and article titles and sub-titles are never capitalized.

Adjectives, adverbs,nouns, and pronouns in article titles and sub-titles.

The directions of North, South, East and West.

Names of heavenly bodies, such as the Big Dipper, and the Small Dipper.

Comma’s

Comma’s are normally used before the words, and, but,for and or, if they join the parts of a
sentence.

In short, two part sentences the comma can be omitted and still be correct.

An introductory phrase that begins a sentence should be set apart by a comma.

But, if you are beginning a sentence with a “yes” or a “no”, then a comma should be used to put
emphasis on the yes or no.

A comma should be used to emphasize a question at the end of a statement, such as:
“You are leaving too, aren’t you?” The statement : “Are you leaving too? needs no comma.

To separate the parts of a sentence such as in names, a comma should be used.
Example: Brenda, Barbara , Betty, and Bonnie came to the party.

Use a comma to separate the parts of an address in a sentence.

In dates, a comma is always used to separate the month,and day from the year.
The comma may be omitted if only the month or season are used.

A comma should be used to separate a series of words or list of items contained in one
sentence.
Example: I like apples, oranges, peaches, and pears.

A comma is used to separate adjectives that describe something.
Example: His hair was red, curly, and cut short.

Comma’s are also used when writing conversations between characters or people.
Examples: “The rest of the crew is lost,” he said, “if only they had not turned back.”
He replied,”We’ll never see them again.”

Reversed names and phrases are separated by comma’s.
Examples: Smith, Sallie M.

Indexed or alphabetized lists should have comma’s separating the item from the description of
the item.

Example: TV’s,black,white or books, new,fiction

Follow the guidelines in this article and your work will improve greatly.
Many readers will lose interest quickly in reading an article that is filled with mistakes.

If the reader can’t believe in your way of writing, how can they trust that what you have written is
true.