* Consistency is key: Choose a style and stick with it throughout your paper. Don't switch between writing "Acme Corp." and "Acme Corporation" within the same document.
* First mention: On the first mention, write the full, formal name of the company as it appears on official documents. For example: "The Coca-Cola Company."
* Subsequent mentions: After the first mention, you can usually shorten the name if it's lengthy and the meaning is clear. For example: "Coca-Cola" (after already mentioning "The Coca-Cola Company"). However, avoid overly informal abbreviations unless your style guide allows it.
* Capitalization: Generally, capitalize all major words in company names, as they are proper nouns. Follow the company's official capitalization. If the company uses a lowercase "a" in their name, for example, you should too.
Style Guide Specifics (General Guidelines):
* APA (American Psychological Association): Generally follows the principles above. Prioritize clarity and consistency. If a company uses a stylized name (like "eBay"), retain that styling.
* MLA (Modern Language Association): Similar to APA. Emphasizes consistency and clarity. Use the full name on first mention and shortened versions thereafter, if appropriate.
* Chicago: Chicago's style is more flexible, depending on the type of paper. For academic papers, it usually aligns with APA or MLA's recommendations. For less formal works, more flexibility is allowed.
Italics vs. Quotation Marks:
Generally, you don't italicize or put company names in quotation marks unless the name itself is italicized or in quotes as part of the company's branding. For example, if a company is called "The *Daily Grind* Cafe," you would maintain that italicization.
Examples:
* First Mention: "This study analyzes the marketing strategies of Alphabet Inc."
* Subsequent Mentions: "Alphabet's strategies..." or "Google (a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.)..."
* Stylized Name: "The research focused on the impact of eBay's auction system."
If you are unsure about the proper style, consult the specific style guide's manual or your instructor's guidelines. Consistency and clarity are the most important factors.