Samford University

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G

geographic terms and names
Lowercase north, south, east and west and variations when they indicate direction. Capitalize north, south, east, west and similar terms when they refer to regions.
            We went north, then east, then west, and finally south.
            He drove northwest for about 20 miles.
            He is from the South; his wife is from the Northeast.
            Birmingham is the business and cultural heart of Central Alabama.
            The earthquake affected parts of East L.A.
            the south of France
Southern hospitality, Southern accent (Use this capitalization carefully—only when referring to the region’s culture, people or history. In geographic and similar uses, such as southern city or southern climate, lowercase.)
            Antarctica, Antarctic Circle

Capitalize the names of physiographic provinces and divisions:
            Appalachian Highlands
            Continental Shelf
            Coastal Plain
            East Gulf Coastal Plain
            Great Plains
            High Plains
            Hudson Valley
            Interior Plains
            New England Province
            Piedmont Province
            Rocky Mountain System
            Valley and Ridge Province

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grade point average, GPA
After first reference, GPA is an acceptable abbreviation, although in many contexts you may not need to use the long form at all; no periods are necessary. When giving a GPA, always use a decimal point and carry to at least the 10th place: 3.0, 2.2.

grades
Capitalize grades:
            A
            B-
            C+
            Incomplete
            Pass
            WP
            He earned a “B+” in that class.
            A grade of “NC,” or No Credit, may be given in freshman English courses.

Place quotation marks around letter grades except in tables and charts.

The modifier pass/fail is not capitalized:
            It was a pass/fail course, in which I earned a grade of Pass.
            I took the course pass/fail.

greek or Greek
Do not uppercase when referring to social organizations, honor societies or similar groups.
            Roughly 20 percent of Samford University students belong to greek organizations.

Always uppercase when referring to the culture, nation, people or language of Greece or ancient Greece.
            Roughly 20 percent of Samford University students belong to Greek-letter organizations.
Students majoring in classics study ancient Greek; classes in modern Greek also are available.

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