When you are using the specific, official name of a person, place or thing, that name should be treated as a proper noun, and should be capitalized. Many people erroneously use capitals for less specific common nouns. The following examples will illustrate the difference between proper and common nouns.
 
       A.  Do capitalize personal names as well as relevant professional titles.
 
                     Example: Marvin Jenkins, Professor of History, assigns challenging textbooks.
 
              Do not capitalize when mentioning professional titles detached from a specific person.
 
                      Example: My professor assigns challenging textbooks.
 
 
       B.  Do capitalize specific countries, cities, or states.
 
                      Example: Many people travel to Duluth during the summer and fall. 
 
             Do not capitalize non-specific places.
 
                     Example: Many people travel up north during the summer and fall.
 
 
       C.  Do capitalize specific names of courses.
 
                     Example: This fall, I am taking Sociology 201.
 
             Do not capitalize courses without a specific name.
 
                    Example: This fall, I am taking a sociology course.
 

        D.  Do capitalize specific brand names.
 
                   Example: For breakfast, I ate a bowl of Raisin Bran. 
 
              Do not capitalize descriptions or generic categories of products.
 
                   Example: For breakfast, I ate a bowl of cereal.
 
 
         E.  Do capitalize family relationships if you treat the relationship as part or substitute
              for their actual name.
 
                   Example: Aunt Judy never fails to send birthday cards on time.
 
             Do not capitalize family relationships if you are using them simply as description.
 
                   Example: My aunt never fails to send birthday cards on time.
 
 
 
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