The ‘Academy Awards’ is also known as ‘Oscars’. It is an annual American awards ceremony managed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Both ‘Academy Awards’ and ‘Oscars’ are used as sign, symbol or logo. As, you know that a logo should be capitalized. It means that whenever you want to write ‘Academy Awards’ or ‘Oscars’, you should capitalize them within sentences.
Must Capitalize > ‘Academy Awards’ & ‘Oscars’
For example,
1. We will watch the Academy Awards together.
2. This time, the Oscars will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
However, if you will write the word ‘academy’ or ‘awards’ alone (i.e. no reference as a trademark), then you will not capitalize it. You should write these words in small letters.
No need to capitalize the word ‘academy’ or ‘awards’ as a separate word
For example,
1. The academy is deciding about the background theme of the stage.
2. Well! I think that he has received many awards as a dean.
Check Out: How Do We Write Academic Titles In AP Style?
When to Use ‘Academy Awards’ vs ‘Oscars’
‘Academy Awards’ is the official name of the annual ceremony hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and is used in formal contexts.
1. The Academy Awards recognize the best in film each year.
‘Oscars’ is the more casual and widely recognized term, often used in headlines or informal writing.
1. Did you watch the Oscars last night?
Use ‘Academy Awards’ in formal reports or press releases, while ‘Oscars’ works best in casual conversations or media.
General Capitalization Rules When Using AP Style
1. Capitalize specific names of people, places, organizations, and brands. (For example: Barack Obama)
2. Capitalize titles when they precede a name, but lowercase them when they follow a name or stand alone. (For example: President Barack Obama)
3. Always capitalize the first word of a sentence, including quoted sentences. (For example: We are going to the park)
4. Capitalize days of the week and months, but do not capitalize seasons.
5. Do not capitalize common nouns unless they are part of a proper noun. (For example: We visited the White House.)
What Did You Learn?
When writing about the Academy Awards or the Oscars in AP Style, always capitalize these terms as they refer to a specific event.
Use ‘Academy Awards’ in formal contexts and ‘Oscars’ for informal writing. Understanding and applying proper capitalization rules will ensure your writing remains professional and consistent.