Capitalize the first word of a sentence.

Posing relatives for photographs is a challenge.

If you are quoting a full sentence, capitalize its first word.

Kennedy said, “Let us never negotiate out of fear.”

Capitalizing a sentence following a colon is optional.

Gould cites the work of Darwin: The [or the] theory of natural selection incorporates the principle of evolutionary ties between all animals.

Capitalize a sentence within parentheses unless the parenthetical sentence is inserted into another sentence.

Gould cites the work of Darwin. (Other researchers cite more recent evolutionary theorists.)

Gould cites the work of Darwin (see page 150).

When citing poetry, follow the capitalization of the original poem. Though most poets capitalize the first word of each line in a poem, some poets do not.

Morning sun heats up the young beech tree leaves and almost lights them into fireflies

—JUNE JORDAN, “Aftermath”

Quick Help: Editing for capitalization